iPod help please?

[silversolitaire]

Uhm okay guys... so I'm writing this big paper on portable music, Walkman and such. And I'm kinda running out of stuff to write. I know, lamer mistake. Anyway, I was thinking about extending the paper about the iPod some. Actually, it's a must, isn't it? Problem: I know zilch about it. So... PLEASE, call for help. Is there anyone on my f-list who has an iPod and who can initiate me into the magical world of iPodding some? Pwetty please? I was looking into it some but it's all so confusing! x_x; Like iTunes. I don't get this site! Do I have to download a program in order to use their service or what? How does that work? How do they charge? Big questionmark. And I saw this meme going around some weeks ago with your playlists, searching for this word and most heard songs and what not. What's the deal with that. Does iPod keep a record of what kind of songs you listen to and log it somehow? What would you say is the really cool thing about the iPod? The most convincing feature? Is there such a thing as an iPod community? Something that only an iPod can do any no other MP3 player?

Please, I really need input! x.x;;;

Comments

[andrewwyld.livejournal.com]

The major problem of the discman is the skipping.  The anti-skip on my non-Sony walkman was actually better than on my shiny, expensive Sony one that I replaced it with when it got dropped one time too many, but even then I would tend to spend my time with my hand crammed against it to stop it bumping my side in my coat pocket.

The minidisc player, by contrast, has excellent anti-skip and scarcely ever kicks out, even during vigorous activity (like running for a bus).  Battery life is also a lot better, and as I have a stack of rechargeable batteries I would always carry replacements anyway, so that was never much of an issue.

The advantages of a CD player over more modern technology are threefold.  One:  mp3 players are still expensive.  Two:  You have to convert stuff from CD format.  Three:  iPods are probably easier to fence, so I am guessing I am less of a target for muggers.  Of course, three is an advantage of owning something crappy, so it's actually a bit of a cop-out.

Anyway -- I haven't switched to new technology because, fundamentally, what I have works and I am lazy and would rather spend the money on more CDs.  I only bought the minidisc because I wanted to make portable recordings, and the software that transfers music from my computer to it seems to have broken itself irrevocably after six weeks, which is a bummer.  I will fix it eventually, but ... lazy.

Oh, and I didn't have a cassette walkman after my huge Ferguson one broke sometime around 1993; that was supplanted by a larger tape recorder, and the discman was bought simply as the cheapest way for me to play CDs.  Our family seems to come late to new media.

[silversolitaire.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So you would agree on the disadvantages of the Discman. And yes, that's actually one of the major improvements Sony did with the Minidisc: they implemented a very effective anti-skip software which basically buffers enough to sustain 30 seconds of shaking or so. Or more. Later they used that on their Discmen (mans?) as well.

Anyway, thank you for your answers! Can I quote you on my paper? If so, which name would you prefer or would you like to remain anonymous?

[andrewwyld.livejournal.com]

Quote away.  My full name is Andrew Wyld.

By the way, the way in which my earlier disc player was better -- if you jolted it enough it stopped playing after ten seconds, whereas with the Sony player if you jolt it enough it stops playing immediately -- with anti-shock turned off or on.

[silversolitaire.livejournal.com]

Okay! Thank you! ^^

And yeah, Sony didn't really manage a big hit anymore after the happy accident of the Walkman... LOL. I mean even their big hits such as the Playstation they're messing up with stupid company policies. Don't get me started on the P2P *g*.