Disqus - Latest Comments for Skwid

Re: iPod Nano vs. the World

Skwid — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:34:58 -0000

I'm curious as to Farris' beef with iTunes as a music library manager...none of the other software that I've tried is nearly so intuitive while simultaneously being very flexible. Mind you, I haven't tried MediaMonkey. In fact, I've never even heard of it, so I might go check that out.

The key to me, though, is the seamless integration between iTunes and the iPod, especially where metadata is concerned and its usefulness in smart playlists. For example, my 4Gb Nano 1G is automatically synced as follows:
Approximately 800 MB is reserved for data transfer and podcasts.
Any music added to the library within the last 60 days, having been played fewer than 5 times and skipped fewer than twice.
Approximately 70% of the remaining space is given to songs rated 4 or 5 stars and least recently listened to, 20% songs rated 3 stars and least recently listened to, and 10% unrated or 2 stars least recently listened to. (If I never want to hear a song again, I simply rate it 1 star)
The ability to rate songs on the fly from the iPod and have that automatically transferred is essential to this system, obviously, although I had a limited version of it set up for when I was using a Shuffle.

I can confirm that the new Nano will accomodate voice recorders. Personally, I just use my Treo on the vanishingly rare occasions I need to record a voice-note for some reason.

Re: Attending Myschievia!

Skwid — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:44:58 -0000

As mentioned last night, I am almost certainly going.

Personally, I'm baffled by anyone who would prefer to camp in a non-wooded area...

Re: Myschievia Portrait Studio?

Skwid — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:41:15 -0000

I think you definitely need a jowling category...

Re: when the walls fell

Skwid — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 11:07:43 -0000

Sokath, his eyes uncovered!

I have taken my iPods camping, I have taken them to the beach, and in my two years of experience I have only once had the battery die on me when I really wished it wouldn't have and there was no convenient way to charge it (on an airplane flight). 99% of the time there's either a PC or a wall socket handy, and an hour later I have a fully charged iPod. Car adapters are also cheap, I've just not needed one enough to buy one yet. Something to keep in mind: AAs are heavy sons of bitches in comparison to the integrated batteries in iPods. Before you make your decision, I think you owe it to yourself to stop in at the Shops at Willow Bend, visit the Apple Store, and see what the buzz is about firsthand.

Re: I hate my iPod Nano

Skwid — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 13:28:17 -0000

I am completely confused by this post. I have no idea what the difficulty you describe with iTunes syncing up is. By default, when your library is larger than the iPod's capacity it will attempt to sync as much of that library as possible. The solution to this "problem" is to create a playlist with the songs you want on it (or a Smart Playlist based on criteria, more likely), and then have the iPod sync only that playlist. This is both potentially powerful and (IMO) highly intuitive. Out of curiosity, though, what features does MM have that iTunes lacks?

On-The-Go Playlists work, as far as I can tell, exactly as you desire. When a song, album, or playlist is selected in the on-screen menu, pressing and holding the select button will add it to the On-The-Go Playlist. This is described on the iPod in the Playlist section, as well as in the manual.

And if you think for a second that I'm not a technologically-inclined person, you're fooling yourself. I chose iPod after doing copious research, handling other players and reading numerous user accounts of software and hardware on Slashdot, DAPReview.net, and other places. Are they a fashion statement for many? Yes. But the iTunes/iPod interaction is the best around, iPods are far more resilient than first appearances might suggest, and the accessory market for them is about 1000 times bigger than any other product. Every feature you mention is available in an accessory, and most can be had cheaply as they frequently get sold by purchasers who never used them like they thought they would.

I think you owe it to yourself to give the product more than a day. I think it will win you over.

Re: I broke my iPod

Skwid — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 11:06:10 -0000

I know I've had to reset every piece of consumer electronics I've ever owned that was more complicated than a stereo at some point...it's just sort of the way of things, really.

On what hopefully is the good news front, though, Apple released a new version of iTunes yesterday...you might see if it fixes some of the issues you've been having.

Re: self study: five

Skwid — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:21:08 -0000

Nice footage, dude.

Re: Day Four: you know but that you go on

Skwid — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 08:57:51 -0000

Did you get the pics I tried to send to your phone Saturday night?

Re: the time really does fly

Skwid — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 09:59:46 -0000

OMG, teh cute!