Posted by Adrian on 04/26/06 12:54

Gary <gary_w1@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I'd like to join this discussion, too. I've just been given a new
> iPod (it's currently on its way from China to the US...I'll have it
> tomorrow). I've never used an iPod before, so I have a few questions.
> I do own an Archos, which interfaces with the PC as a removable hard
> disk, and you use Windows Explorer to move files around.
>
> Is this the way the iPod works, also? What function does iTunes add
> to this, aside from giving you access to their library of stuff they
> want to sell to you?

Though you can set up your iPod to act as a removeable disk drive which
you can use to store or transfer any kind of files it does not give you
direct manual access to your iPod's music library by that method ... you
use iTunes for that.

It's important to realise that the iTunes software need have nothing to
do with Apple selling you things - that's up to you! It actually existed
as a music management application long before it acquired the ability to
access the iTunes Music Store. iTunes has an icon in its sidebar which
allows you to click to get access to the music store ... it never pops
up unwanted ... if you never click it you never see the store. (Recent
iTunes versions have a "Ministore" section at the bottom of the main
window which does do such things but there is a button to turn it off.)

You use iTunes to rip CDs and keep track of your pre-existing mp3 or AAC
files, convert formats, play videos, burn CDs, create playlists etc etc.
iTunes shows your iPod in its sidebar when it is plugged in and allows
you to drag music files on to it manually, or alternatively to
automatically synchronise your entire music library.

If you are very happy with the performance and functionality of your
current music management application it may be a bit of a pain to have
to use iTunes for the iPod, but it is pretty good at what it does. If
you definitely don't want to manage you music in iTunes' then you can
just launch it and then drag your music files from whatever folder onto
its icon in the sidebar. (Make sure you set the iPod to "Manually Manage
songs and Playlists" in the iTunes Preferences settings first.)


--
Adrian

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