iPod on multiple machines
Anyone know which program is best for "breaking open" an iPod so you can get to the music without necessarily having it linked to that computer?
Preferably something free, and compatible with the newest iPods. I checked the FAQ's and they mention one program, but the feedback on the VersionTracker site isn't all that good. So, what works best for the best price (free!)?
PS - Oh yeah, and I'd like my iPod to survive the encounter. Already one has died on me... :(
[502 byte] By [
Biggie] at [2007-11-9 11:41:01]
# 1 Re: iPod on multiple machines
This is a common question and if you search the forums you'll find a lot of information.
One completely free solution is to download Cocktail for OS X. It happens to be an excellent front end to a number of UNIX resources, plus it gives access to many "hidden" OS X attributes (like double scroll arrows at each end). Other tools, like TinkerTool, do the same things.
Here's what you do. Enable firewire drive on the ipod. Make the invisible files on your system visible. You'll see a bunch of formerly invisible files, including one called ipod control. Inside that file is a bunch of invisible files. Each one of these contains songs. Just copy them to the second computer. When you import them into iTunes - you can add them directly to your music folder and then click Add to Library and select that folder - iTunes will add each song to the Library, organize them by artist, etc. and all the id tags will be there.
The only negative to this approach is that you don't get any playlists. You can also accomplish this through applescript. Go to www.malcolmadams.com and check out the ipod scripts.
If you buy tunes from the Apple store, then when you play the first track, you'll see a dialogue asking you to authorize this computer (if it's not more than the 3rd computer for the track).
You can also do all this through the Terminal, but my assumption is that you'd rather not do that.
jmk at 2007-11-15 16:51:28 >
# 2 Re: iPod on multiple machines
I use PodMaster (http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/12706) all the time with no problems - the thing you have to remember about VersionTracker is to compare the user reviews with the number of downloads - over 2000 people downloaded PodMaster, and only 44 felt it necessary to comment, and of those 44, only some had negative feedback. PodMaster is actually free, which is why we recomend it.
If you're wanting to go the Applescript route, and you want to move playlist and tracks, try these two: Import Selected iPod Tracks to iTunes (http://www.malcolmadams.com/itunes/scripts/scripts08.shtml#impselipodtracks) and when you've moved all the files, Mirror iPod Playlists in iTunes (http://www.malcolmadams.com/itunes/scripts/scripts08.shtml#mirroripodplaylists).
# 3 Re: iPod on multiple machines
Thanks for the info, guys. Anyone else care to comment on these apps, or know of others which work particularly well for you?
Biggie at 2007-11-15 16:53:26 >
# 4 Re: iPod on multiple machines
Coctail is as mentioned a grate app for evrything on the machine this is a all in one application i used it since it came out but be updated there is a new version evry 2 weeks almost
