iGasm

So I finally picked up an iPod last week. I had been considering the purchase for over two years, so I wouldn't quite classify it as an “impulse buy”. It wasn’t entirely my decision to move forward as I was given permission to stop considering it when Amy informed me that we had amassed a sufficient cash reserve via our credit card's cash-back bonuses, which in our case is like spending free money due to the way we use the account. In addition, it helped that I purchased a refurbished model as it saved me approximately one hundred dollars while still including the same standard warranty as a brand new model. The only items I did not receive were a proper manual (a quick start manual was included) and the pretty packaging.

I had read much on the Internet from iPod naysayers concerning everything from battery life to DRM'ed proprietary formats; however, a singular feature of which the Internet is almost completely incapable is reasonable discourse. My early experiences thus far have put most of the quibbling arguments to rest, but it is an absolute truth that the battery life is terrible. It is bad enough that it practically makes the purchase of the portable charging adapter a necessity. So far, though, that is my only complaint.

In terms of benefits, there are the obvious ones that I expected such as the ability to carry about 75% of my music collection with me anywhere as well as complete compatibility with every file available in the extensive collection of the iTunes music store. But, after I installed the iTunes software, which is required for the iPod to sync with your music collection, other benefits quickly exposed themselves. For instance, in the past, I have been a WinAmp devotee, but the sheer user-friendliness of iTunes, not to mention the inclusion of some outstanding encoding algorithms, immediately made the program my primary audio library management suite. Here again, the Internet becomes a stagnant pool of chirping nerds squawking about the amount of resources a particular program requires. Specifically, I remember reading a thread about iTunes requiring ten times the CPU resources that WinAmp requires and the multiplier only increased when compared to more obscure players. But, I would argue that most users don’t give a rip about squeezing a few more cycles out of their CPUs. Even those users on the brink of caring about such things probably have a machine that is capable of handling the larger footprint with ease.

To return to my point, I feel that WinAmp has become a bloated, unfriendly tangle of options meant to entice the fiercest of tweakers and while I can certainly appreciate the desire for limitless customization, I eventually won’t need any more plug-ins that enable me to listen to Sega Genesis file formats. There comes a time when I simply want the ability to use my tools efficiently. Speaking of efficiency, my distaste with WinAmp begins with its handling of the metadata editing for AAC encoded files. Disappointingly, it does not allow for the same data field (artist, album, composer, etc.) to be batch-edited across multiple files with one click. WinAmp requires the user to select the files and then copy/paste the value into the text field for each file. I suppose it could be pointed out that by clicking ‘Next’, the dialog box moves directly to the next file’s entry, but when one must deal with thousands of files, that process is entirely too cumbersome. On the other hand, iTunes lets the user batch edit metadata fields in any of its supported file formats.

Another benefit to using iTunes is that it does a decent job of keeping your music library organized automatically. Apart from a few naming convention quirks, I find that it does an excellent job with popular music. With classical music however, I find that I need to babysit the program a little as I prefer to have my classical music organized by composer because everyone recognizes Ludwig van Beethoven but almost nobody recognizes Anton Nanut or the Ljubljana Radio Symphony Orchestra. Finally, in iTunes, I found that I can rip approximately ten CDs per hour whereas when I was using my combination of Nero and WinAmp, it would take twice that amount of time.

Before I close for this session, I should point out the new addition to the sidebar, my last.fm playlist. Last.fm is a website much like Flickr.com that is heavy on social networking centered around one’s taste in music. If you click on the list, it will take you to my user page. I’m DrRosenRosen. By the way, could I borrow your towel for a sec? My car just hit a water buffalo.