For Libraries, a New Chapter in Computer Woes

The Washngton Post ^ | 4/14/2005 | C. Woodrow Irvin

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Maybe you just ought to buy something new...

Thanks. Perhaps I will. But it won't be an iPod.

[Spktyr]

In Windows Media Player for OS X, go to the Windows Media Player menu, then go to Preferences. Change the Buffering from 'Use default buffering' to 'Buffer * seconds'. Set the number of seconds to at least 30, more if you have the disk space. Should solve the problem.

[solitas]

I can't see an iPod being worth the $$$. I mean, if you absolutely NEED the portable storage space that's one thing; but to use it just to carry around your entire music library seems a little much...

Besides my MP3 player, I'd earlier bought a CD/MP3 player (Christmas '99 or '00) for $99 (while everybody was snapping-up $299 128meg Rio's & the like) - still works fine and can play regular CDs _or_ have about 8-9 hours of MP3s on a 700meg disc. I can carry around a _lot_ of music more-cheaply on 20¢ CDs than someone can carry on an iPod. AND lend/swap the discs too.

Anyways, how much music DOES one need during a particular day? iPods are nice toys, but not practical or cost-effective in a lot of situations.

[Spktyr]

Yes, it plays linearly as well as in shuffle or playlist mode.

[solitas]

Never said it didn't. Said I couldn't see it being worth the money.

[Spktyr]

You spent $100 on a CD/MP3 player that can't be used as a data storage device and weighs a ton - and doesn't run all that long on a set of batteries, and that probably skips when you jog. For $49 more (today), you could get an iPod the size of a keychain that will never skip, is all solid state, and runs longer on a set of batteries. And it holds *more* than your CD thingy, AND can be used as a USB drive. What was the point of buying your CD/MP3 player again?

I used to think the same way, and then I got my first iPod. It's eminently useful.