Using iPod without keeping library on Comp
My dad is considering buying an iPod. One of his major complaints however is that he feels that he shouldn't have to keep his entire music collection on his machine. He has a rather small HD (smaller than the 10g pod), and he complains that "this thing is supposed to store my music for me." He wants to use the iPod like this:
--Rip/download music
--Load music to iPod
--Be able to delete those songs now that they're on the iPod
--Rip/download more music
--Sync the iPod without it deleting the songs (off the ipod) that he already deleted off of his computer
Is there a way to avoid have to keep his entire music collection on his HD? If so, I guess we'll have another podder in the family fairly soon.
[758 byte] By [
apu] at [2007-11-9 12:55:38]
# 1 Re: Using iPod without keeping library on Comp
EphPod can do this. It has a setting to disable it from deleting files on the iPod during a sync operation. I've not used it, but it should work.
Otto at 2007-11-15 17:06:05 >
# 2 Re: Using iPod without keeping library on Comp
Ephpod does this effortlessly - I too have a small hard drive, so this is what I do. Just set Ephpod to NOT delete music on the iPod that isn't in the music library on your computer - it should be set that way by default, actually.
Just be sure to back up your music on CD or something, so if something DOES happen to the iPod, there is recourse.
# 3 Re: Using iPod without keeping library on Comp
After I wrote this post, I download ephPod to try it out. I was pleased to find out that it did do this. :) My dad will be pleased
I decided to try it for myself...and...I absolutely love it. It's great. It's simple, and its quick, and it does things that MMJB doesn't. My only complaint is that when I went to edit some tags, it edited the tags of the songs already on the pod, and didn't make the changes to the mp3's in my lib. Oh well, I guess I can still use MMJB for tagging. Thanks again.
apu at 2007-11-15 17:08:15 >
# 4 Re: Using iPod without keeping library on Comp
Correct apu, ephpod only sees the files on your iPod. Even then, it's not editing the tags, it's editing the values in the iPod's database.
So, if you change a tag on a file on your PC you have to follow one of these processes:
1. Edit the tag on your PC's file, then make the same changes in ephpod on the iPod's version of the song.
2. Edit the tag on your PC's file, then delete the song on ephpod and reupload it.
Xplay and MC9 will automatically keep your tunes in sync w/o uploading, but since you don't have space on your PC to keep all your iPod tunes, they aren't the best option.
But, if I can get on my soapbox a little here, you might want to advise your dad that keeping all his data soley on the iPod is truly a bad idea. Portable storage devices just aren't stable enough to be trusted. As long has he has backups of the mp3 he should be fine. I'd recommend that he get a cheap internal HDD. You can get a 120 GB drive these days for < $100. Then he can benefit from many of the feature available when you can keep all your tunes in sync and in both places.
</end soapbox>
Adam
# 5 Re: Using iPod without keeping library on Comp
Well, that helps. I think i'll just have to tag them, and then re-upload them.
And yes, I'm aware that My dad keeping is library soley on his pod is a bad idea...and I have offered to keep his library on my machine...So, we'll see which route he goes. He's seriously considering the Zen, only because of the horror stories he's heard about Apple's PR and Customer Support. I've given him all the good info I can about my pod, (and he does like the design), but he's a very cautious consumer. Thanks for all the help.
apu at 2007-11-15 17:10:09 >
# 6 Re: Using iPod without keeping library on Comp
Do you have an Apple Store near you? I do and I can't say enough good things about Apples support. BTW does he really think Creative's support is any better?
Bill McNair
# 7 Re: Using iPod without keeping library on Comp
I can second what Bill's said. My iPod died a while back. Sent in my help ticket, had a box w/in 2 days. Send the iPod in and w/in 4 days I had a new one.
Was kept informed the whole time through their web site. Was very pleased.
Adam
