Being dragged into the 21st century

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 10:49pm

I am being dragged into the 21st century kicking and screaming....


ok.....I will admit it, I am one of the technology/computer impaired. I am considering getting an IPOD Mini tomorrow, and I've checked with consumer reports, looked at the apple site, but am still a little confused.
I've got a couple of questions, which may seem obvious to some, but not me.

1. This has a hard drive so I don't need to buy a "chip" right?
2. I can plug it into my computer, put in a cd and it will transfer to the IPOD right?
3. How long does that take, ie the transfer.
4. Will any 3.5 headset fit into it, or just the one provided.
5. Apparently the battery is not replaceable, SO.......does that mean when it eventually wears out, you throw the whole thing away?
6. Can you delete songs once they're added?


thanks in advance....

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 10:52pm

Oh...

You must've not read about how it blows up if you press the wrong button. Eek!

[OnTheAisle]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 10:54pm

Elphaba... gonna watch this thread carefully, cause I'm standing on the edge of this brand new world... may even put my 8 track away and get me one of those thin)...gs (if it doesn't blow up on you first

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 10:55pm

aisle, I'm just tired of dragging all my cd's around....and at the rate I'm buying them, it's killing me.....

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 10:56pm

1. This has a hard drive so I don't need to buy a "chip" right?
Correct
2. I can plug it into my computer, put in a cd and it will transfer to the IPOD right?
After you burn the files from the CD, you can transfer it onto your iPod.
3. How long does that take, ie the transfer.
Depends on the size of the songs, the method of connection that's used, and the number of songs. Usually, with USB or Firewire, around 10 minutes, for a 13, 14 CD track. Probably less, I dunno. Been a while.
4. Will any 3.5 headset fit into it, or just the one provided.
It will fit. Any 3.5 millimeter, I believe. That's standard on all mp3 players, I think.
5. Apparently the battery is not replaceable, SO.......does that mean when it eventually wears out, you throw the whole thing away?
You can get it replaced. It costs about $100.
6. Can you delete songs once they're added?
Yes.

Final thoughts though? Get an iRiver. H10, or H320.

www.iriveramerica.com

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 10:56 PM

[OnTheAisle]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:00pm

Aigoo... did you get your iRiver online?

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:01pm

Best Buy.

I have an H320 that I got in...October, I think, since it was for my birthday. They're not very hard to track down, but nowhere near the popularity of iPods.

Here are some pros and cons: https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?page=2&thread=850955&startthread=1059797&boardname=off

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 11:01 PM

[BluCat500]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:06pm

I recommend getting it at Best buy they have $50 4 year service plans, which is the best warrantee i've heard of for the Ipod, and well I love mine Ipods have a habit of being glitchy at times

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:06pm

Not to go behind your back, Aigoo.

But I'm sure the leatherdaddy will want an iPod. :)

I am a FIRM believer in Apple products and...if anything happens to your iPod, or you have issues- you'll find more help out there than for an iPod than the iRiver thing-a-ma-jig.

:)

And uploading CDs to iTunes takes 10 minutes maybe...but uploading tunes to your iPod can take seconds.

I'm sure you have plenty of Pink Floyd and Janice Joplin to fill that little iPod!

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:07pm

Aigoo, I've been meaning to tell you, I find it hard to breath when I look at your icon because my loins tighten with desire.



I haven't a foggiest clue about iPods either, and I wanted to know all those questions Elph asked, so good on ya!

How long is a battery expected to last? Are these iPods the same as the iPod Shuffle?

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:10pm

No. An iPod shuffle is for bisexual people. Because only they would want something so confusing and baffling.

WHY that product is on the market...I dunno.

iPods/iPod Minis allow you to select the song and see what you're doing. Plus they have other features like address books, calendars, etc.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:11pm

I really dislike Ipod shuffles while they are significantly cheaper there is no menu to choose the order of songs(it like the name says shuffles) although I belive you can prearrange them on your computer, but not very convenient. even Apple only advertises them for jogging and I belive the biggest one is only 1 GB

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:11pm

Hey Tiff! Haven't seen you in a while! Good to hear from you again. He's gorgeous, isn't he?


How long is a battery expected to last? Are these iPods the same as the iPod Shuffle?

My iPod battery lasted for about 1.5 years, however, I had the 20 gig iPod.
My friend, who has the iPod mini, her battery has lasted for about 5 months. It may just be hers, but iPod's battery has a very short life if used improperly.

iPod minis are different from the shuffle. The shuffle is much smaller. There are a couple of differences (Shuffle has no screen, size difference, hard drive difference, etc.)

It's really what sort of life-style you prefer. If you have an entire LIBRARY of OBR's, etc, go with either the Mini or one of the 15/20 Gigs. If not, the shuffle is the way to go.

But either way, I'd recommend the Mini. Just for practicality.

[OnTheAisle]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:12pm

this is gonna be a dumb question... after you upload - say you don't want something in there anymore... how do you get rid of them? (It's pathetic how little I know about this)

[BluCat500]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:13pm

I've also heard some good things about IRiver, Its in color of course and it has a radio which Ipod lacks. but I used to work at Best Buy and as far as returns go, Irivers were returned just as often as IPods. And for some reason I've always stuck to buying Ipods maybe I'm addicted to the solitaire game they come with

Thats another flaw of the Ipod IMo you can't delete songs directly on the Ipod you must do it on the computer in the Itunes software it comes with and then Sinc the Ipod with Itunes

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 11:13 PM

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:14pm

On The Aisle, go to the menu where all your songs on the iPod are (after connecting to the computer).

Click on a song (or select multiple by holding CTRL, clicking) and press Delete to get rid of the song.


BluCat, as far as preference between iRiver and Apple goes, it's really user-defined, I think. I think they're both great...but right now, I love my iRiver. I enjoy it much more than I did my iPod.

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 11:14 PM

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:15pm

Aisle...

To get rid of songs you have to hit the iPod and curse.

It is also good to lock up the iPod at night so it doesn't start to take control of your mind. If you hear voices when you listen to "Putting it Together," you might want to check your warranty. Updated On: 5/27/05 at 11:15 PM

[OnTheAisle]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:17pm

LOL - thanks - I hear voices now - I thought that was normal...

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:17pm

I haven't heard of the iRiver. What is it?

I'm checking out this site right now:

http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html

The Shuffle looks complicated and pointless. Isn't there a Shuffle function on the Mini or normal iPod?? Why would people want to get one sans screen that ONLY shuffles??

How did your friend misuse the iPod? Is it one of those products where you have to drain the battery in its entirety before you charge it otherwise it lessens its lifespan?

It seems like the Mini is the way to go, huh?

Is it really easy to use? I'm seriously a moron when it comes to computers. Like, I was at the campus computer store a few months ago, and when the guy asked me where my USB port's files were, I said they were probably still in the manufacturer's box along with the manual.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:18pm

I've havn't spent a heck of alot of time with the Iriver so I'm not that knowledgable about it, all in all Ireally heard some good things about it. How does the little touch stick compare to Ipods wheel?

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:21pm

They teach you how to type a document on Word in school and save something to a disk...

But they seem to forget to teach you crap you NEED to know.

Like how to upload a CD to your iPod.

School is a waste.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:22pm

The touch stick model is the old model. The new thing is the little cross thing with the blue button. I'll admit it's nothing compared to the iPod's wheel, which is ingenius, but iRiver gives you the option of arranging your own music according to folders (it works sort of like a root tree), so it takes me about the same time as it did to get to a specific song.


Tiff, iRiver is just another brand of mp3 makers, like Apple. It originates in Korea.

You two aren't alone. Many people haven't heard of iRiver, partially because of this big iPod fad. It's usually the more tech savvy who use iRivers. Sort of like...most of America uses Windows than MAC. Same with iPods and iRivers.



Tiff, I'm also not sure how to "properly" use iPod's battery, but I think it was something like...use it until about 1/4 battery bar is left, charge it full, repeat. And don't worry, Tiff, iPod's learning curve won't take very long. It's very user-friendly.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:23pm

Revel in the beauty of Mp3 players and bow to their every wish

On another note if Mymom can use them anyone can

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:25pm

I remember back in the day when you had your WHITE iPods and your COLORED iPods and they didn't mix...

Times are a-changing.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 5/27/05 at 11:25pm

Oh my God. Now I see why old people continue to drive their Pintos and cling to their vinyls. I'm only a few years older than you guys and I'm already feeling out of the tech loop! What happened to Discmans, people??




To the surprise of absolutely no one, I really want a U2 iPod.

Updated On: 5/27/05 at 11:25 PM