I've had an iPod since November 2002, and it's been amazing to me how they've multiplied in the time since. Back when I got it, I rarely saw other people with them... at the time, I suppose it was still too advanced for general consumption. There wasn't even an iTunes Music Store yet.
But times change, and like cell phones or PDA's before them, I now see the iPod in the hands of people everywhere when I walk the streets of Manhattan, or on the train. But like their technogadget predecessors, new users often are missing some unwritten rules of public iPod usage. So, here's a few tips:
1. You leave your iPod sitting on your work desk, in your cubicle, or in your car. While this may be what you used to do with your old Walkman, you have to remember you paid 5x as much for this.
RULE: If the white case was personified, it would say "Steal Me!" Now that every thief in the country knows how much an iPod is worth and there's no way to trace your iPod, be sure to keep it concealed as much as possible.
2. You keep your iPod concealed, but your white earphones are a dead giveaway that you have one.
RULE: Ditch the factory issued phones, and pick up a black or color pair that could go with another music device. In addition, most other earphones sound a lot better anyway.
3. Just because the in-ear phones are IN your ears does not mean people around you cannot hear your music.
RULE: Turn it down when you're in close quarters with others in public, like a train vestibule, elevator, or waiting in line in a store or restaurant.
4. You have your music playing, but you're spinning the iPod wheel through some alternate selections. By default, the iPod is set to make a clicking noise while you browse, which again is heard by all around you.
RULE: Remember to set the Clicker to 'Off' or 'Headphones'.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
3. Just because the in-ear phones are IN your ears does not mean people around you cannot hear your music.
Not true if you have a set of in-earcanal headphones like the Sony MDREX51 (in the "Fontopia" line of products.) These slip actually inside your ear canal with a very soft, pliable silicone sealer that not only prevents the music from escaping to those nearby, it deadens outside sounds to a stunning degree. And once you get them in properly, the dynamics of the music blow away any open-air headphones I've listened to (I'll leave that to the experts - I don't have $300 to drop on a pair of headphones, so maybe those are better.) Great bass response and a much more 3-dimensional soundfield with these in-ear headphones are another plus.
2 - Mark Sahm
Tom --- on #3, I was referring to the white earphones that come with the iPod, not all in-ear phones. But I agree with you about the Fontopias, I actually use them as the replacement for the white ones.
3 - Lono
Also, have lots and lots of time to recatalogue almost every song in your CD collection because the songs tags don't line up the way you want. Also, have lots and lots of storage on your PC.
once I had the iPod, I of course wanted to move all my CDs onto it. So, the first thing I had to do was put all my CDs on my computer into iTunes. Well, I damn near blew up my poor hard drive loading CDs.
I got an external hard drive (80 gigs, $50) that now handles all of my music files. That way, if my PC crashes or is stolen... all of my music is in tact.
I love it though. It has revolutionized how I use music in my day to day life.
4 - SFC SKI
As I am on the road right now, my laptop is full of iTunes, I am glad you brought up the external HD, I'd hate to lose everyhting I have built up so far. I haven't had any trouble with tags, oustside of a dozen re-titlings, and iTunes pulled in my .wma stuff easily.
I love my iPod, but I have a hard time getting it to be recognized by my PC, so updating can be a teeth-gritting experience. It is worth it though.
Playlists are a must after you build up a few hundred songs, other wise you might never hear certain songs, who has time to listen to 10 continuous days of music?
5 - Eric Berlin
Tom - how much for the bad boys you mention?
I've been a $10 black wrap around the top of your head guy on headphones ever since I bought my first walkman when I was 13. However, one ear goes out from use (or from sweat in the ear at the gym) and I buy a new pair every 4 months or so.
I think the same people that blare their handheld devices are the ones who scream into cell phones in public.
6 - sam h.
um just out of curiosity I am pondering buying an iPod 120gb classic. any cases or accessories you would recommend? I have a 1gb nano right now and it's scratched all to h*ll so a case will be very important for the new iPod (i'm only getting a new one because the old is full)