iPods on plane trips (Was: Mp3 that plays files in folders?)
in [Mac Applications]
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From: AES on 10 Apr 2010 19:07 In response to the earlier responses on the above thread (since I think the OP on that thread and I may have similar goals): My working style is to keep all the files on my computer in folders that are organized and named by topic: the folder named "Topic X" will probably contain image files (JPEGs, etc), document files (PDF, RTF, plain text), audio files, video files, all related to Topic X. The Finder, plus Spotlight, EasyFInd, etc, and maybe a few good cataloging programs (a category that certainly does not include iTunes!) are the organizing tools used to maintain and occasionally update or reorganize this file structure. I'm heading on a long plane trip, related to Topic X. Just before leaving I'd like to drag and drop the entire Topic X folder from my primary "desktop laptop" computer onto an iPod (note: that's "drag and drop" -- one mouse click, for the entire folder -- nothing more). Then on the plane I'd like to listen to some of the audio files, maybe view some of the videos or scan some of the image or text files, directly from the iPod (my laptop may or may not also be along on the trip, but if so, it stays safely in the overhead luggage bin). At the destination maybe I drag and drop some additional files to the Topic X folder on the iPod (maybe via the USB port on a colleague's computer); and repeat the listening and viewing process on the way home. Can I do all (or any!!) of this, in this very simple straightforward fashion, with an iPod? (or an iTouch?) Why not? (Maybe the iPad will become the solution for this?)
From: nospam on 10 Apr 2010 19:18 In article <siegman-0EE396.16072810042010(a)sciid-srv02.med.tufts.edu>, AES <siegman(a)stanford.edu> wrote: > I'm heading on a long plane trip, related to Topic X. Just before > leaving I'd like to drag and drop the entire Topic X folder from my > primary "desktop laptop" computer onto an iPod (note: that's "drag and > drop" -- one mouse click, for the entire folder -- nothing more). > > Then on the plane I'd like to listen to some of the audio files, maybe > view some of the videos or scan some of the image or text files, > directly from the iPod (my laptop may or may not also be along on the > trip, but if so, it stays safely in the overhead luggage bin). why not use the laptop during the flight? many airlines even have seat power outlets. > At the destination maybe I drag and drop some additional files to the > Topic X folder on the iPod (maybe via the USB port on a colleague's > computer); and repeat the listening and viewing process on the way home. > > Can I do all (or any!!) of this, in this very simple straightforward > fashion, with an iPod? (or an iTouch?) Why not? you can do it with an ipod touch. sync the audio and video with itunes, then get one of the dozens of apps that turn it into a wireless hard drive. drag/drop whatever files you want to it. some of those apps can display various formats, but it's really not ideal on a tiny screen. > (Maybe the iPad will become the solution for this?) it will be much better because of a larger display, but if you're also bringing a laptop, why bother.
From: AES on 12 Apr 2010 13:41 In article <vilain-3FCBB2.01500612042010(a)news.individual.net>, Michael Vilain <vilain(a)NOspamcop.net> wrote: > > > > Can I do all (or any!!) of this, in this very simple straightforward > > fashion, with an iPod? (or an iTouch?) Why not? > > > > (Maybe the iPad will become the solution for this?) > > If you just drag and drop the files to the iPod, you won't be able to > listen to them. You need to copy them to iTunes and let iTunes copy > them to the iPod. Or find an iPod utility you like other than iTunes > and use that. Most people accept iTunes as iPod/iPhone/iPad/iTV > management software. If you don't, you'll have a fun time figuring out > what software that's out there that will do the job the way you want it. > How much is your time worth to you? Michael, I'm afraid you missed the sarcasm (and iTunes hostility) in my closing query of "Why not?" -- and that, added to the question, "Can an iPod (or an iPad) be used as an elementary MP3 player, _without iTunes_?" were the primary points of my post. I can simply drag and drop text and RTF files, even PDF files, between most any pair of computers or USB storage devices in the world, and at least view them, and most often edit them, on any end computer and most other mobile devices, using any of an nearly innumerable set of freeware, shareware, or commercial tools. No massive, complex, Apple-controlled "iDocs" software is required to do this. I can similarly drag and drop JPEGs between most any computer (or camera, or USB storage device or mobile device) in the world, and at least view them, if not always edit them, on any of these devices using simple software which is very often built into the end device. I'm not forced to learn and use the fairly large and complex iPhoto software to do this simple thing, though I can use it if I want to. So, >>> why can't I accomplish exactly the same thing with standard _audio_ files on Apple's otherwise admirable computers and mobile devices (as well as all other brands of computer hardware)??? <<< That's the core question: Why has Apple crippled it's iPods, iPhones, and now the iPad -- so that users MUST, as a practical reality, deal with audio files ONLY through the massive, complex, bloated, iTunes approach? Why can't I "just drag and drop audio files to an iPod [or iPad, and simply] listen to them" without even knowing that iTunes exists? Why can't I use an iPod (or at least an iPad) as an elementary MP3 audio player, with no iTunes involvement, if that's all I want to do?!? (And, i have no objection at all to iTunes existing, for those who want to use it and find it useful.) The answers to this question are, of course, neither technical, nor admirable -- they're purely commercial: Apple has crippled-- repeat, deliberately crippled -- its iPod and iPhone devices for __its__ commercial benefit (e.g., the iTunes store, and all its implications), not for the benefit of its users. It's essentially caved in to the whole DRM worldview. And, it can get away with this because of the quality of these gadgets and the size of the "music" market they serve. I'd hoped the iPad would at least rise above and be free from this approach -- that it would be, in some meaningful way, an open computer device, like the ones Apple used to be devoted to. I'm still hoping -- but not very hopefully.
From: nospam on 12 Apr 2010 14:32 In article <siegman-3790AD.10411612042010(a)sciid-srv02.med.tufts.edu>, AES <siegman(a)stanford.edu> wrote: > That's the core question: Why has Apple crippled it's iPods, iPhones, > and now the iPad -- so that users MUST, as a practical reality, deal > with audio files ONLY through the massive, complex, bloated, iTunes > approach? quite the opposite. itunes adds a substantial amount of functionality, including smart playlists and browsing by many different tags, something that cannot be done with drag/drop. itunes is also extremely simple -- plug in an ipod and it syncs. do you really want to micromanage thousands of songs scattered across hundreds of different folders? > Why can't I "just drag and drop audio files to an iPod [or iPad, and > simply] listen to them" without even knowing that iTunes exists? Why > can't I use an iPod (or at least an iPad) as an elementary MP3 audio > player, with no iTunes involvement, if that's all I want to do?!? (And, > i have no objection at all to iTunes existing, for those who want to use > it and find it useful.) because it's more work for less functionality. > The answers to this question are, of course, neither technical, nor > admirable -- they're purely commercial: Apple has crippled-- repeat, > deliberately crippled -- its iPod and iPhone devices for __its__ > commercial benefit (e.g., the iTunes store, and all its implications), > not for the benefit of its users. It's essentially caved in to the > whole DRM worldview. And, it can get away with this because of the > quality of these gadgets and the size of the "music" market they serve. complete nonsense. the itunes music store did not even exist when the ipod first came out. furthermore, apple did not want drm. it was the record companies that required it in order for there to be an online store. after the success of the store, the record companies realized that drm was not needed and now there is no longer any drm on music. > I'd hoped the iPad would at least rise above and be free from this > approach -- that it would be, in some meaningful way, an open computer > device, like the ones Apple used to be devoted to. I'm still hoping -- > but not very hopefully. the current approach is much better than what you propose, and it's also completely open too. you can load up an ipod with *any* music you want, from any source you want.
From: Adrian C on 12 Apr 2010 14:34
On 12/04/2010 18:41, AES wrote: > I'd hoped the iPad would at least rise above and be free from this > approach -- that it would be, in some meaningful way, an open computer > device, like the ones Apple used to be devoted to. I'm still hoping -- > but not very hopefully. It will never come. Apple products are built on a data platform which uses well established methods of replication for safety of user data and purchases. The devices are intentionally replication slaves, not masters. They also cope very well with in-file database metadata, essential for the efficient management of very large media collections. It seems you don't want this, and would rather have the silicon alternative for a very large tape cassette player. Buttons to skip forward, buttons to skip back. A random button to truely sound crash all of your listening genres noisily together, or repeatedly play them in a stuck A-to-Z DOS filename order. Yuk. Ok. You do know you can (with the exclusion of the iPhone platform) replace the firmware on Apple hardware if you really want to forget about their software and advantages of playlists. And, you do know you can get better sounding hardware at a cheaper prices NOT from Apple? You do have the choice ... But have a bash at Apple, the firm of control freaks, if it makes you feel any better and less inadequate ;-) -- Adrian C |