I'm so glad I don't have one.

My wife does and dealing with it (yep, I'm the one who has to deal with it) and it's a PIA.

I have an Sansa MP3 player. It's SOOOO much easier and has all the same functions (at least the ones that we use) as the iPod. She even comments, "This is just like my iPod... what's the difference?"

My reply... "a lot less pain and anguish."

I think an iBrick is on the horizon or an Ooops moment when it just happens to find it's way under the tire of the minivan. Then she'll be forced to get a regular MP3 player and my headaches of dealing the iPod will be over.

And, the standard MP3 player is much cheaper.....

Yepper!

Out of pocket $ for the hardware AND the software. Way cheaper, easier, more flexible to go with a good standard MP# player over an iPod. Lots of good freeware out there to manage, manipulate, edit...

By golly you can actually download album covers and song lists for free on the internet instead of 0.99 per from the istore? Who would of thunk?

You can actually swap songs and stuff from/with ANY computer to your MP3 player without erasing and re-marrying your MP3 player to the host computer? Who woud of thunk it?

(I curse her cousin who talked her into the impulse buy of her iPod).

Deep down, I'm a Mac computer guy but I hate the iPod. Great for them that they got the masses hooked on this technology but damn! Do a little research folks. There are cheaper and equivalent if not better alternatives.

Just venting from a guy who had to reformat her iPod twice (going on three times) and try to re-install all the songs.

1) Originally set up off her cousin's computer when she initially bought it.

2) On our home laptop. "Gee... I didn't know that it was tied to the computer. You mean that my iPod can only connect to Patrick's computer? He lives in Albany, NY."

... I refomat it and start from square 1. Convert CD's, buy albums from iStore, kick the dog, grumble and grumble...

3) Home laptop crashes. Have to get new laptop... Wash, rinse and repeat...

I'm all done with iPod. Need to find iBrick on the NASDAQ so I can buy a few shares.

I have had three different models of iPod in my house since 2005, and have never had any issues.

You just gotta know what you are doing.

Just got a new computer, hooked the iPod up to it and downloaded my entire 7700 song library with album art, covers and play counts to my computer without a problem.

If you are paying .99 for album covers and song lists, you are doing something way wrong. That stuff is free everywhere.

J

"There are cheaper and equivalent if not better alternatives. "

Better in most cases, at least from a circuitry and amp design standpoint. The iPod audio amp circuit is pretty poorly designed, as are the power circuits. The best amp and playback circuit (least distortion) on the market last time I checked was the Creative Labs players (who'da thunk it, a company who was built on audio quality would have the best audio circuits in an MP3 player).

The iPud just has a very easy to use interface on the player, and, of course, fanboy frothing.

When my iPod **** the bed I will not be getting another one.

I love being able to tote my music with me wherever I go and I have a sentimental attachment to it, because it came from a lot of folks on this board... but it IS a PITA due to all of its proprietary BS.

I don't think anything STB for you military or ex military guys. They just go Tango Uniform.

Sansa for price

Cowon S9 for features

ZuneHD is pretty nice too

But you can't beat the functionality of phone, music player and web device in one... iPhone...

Had one for years and never had any issue with it.

If I were inclined to buy an MP3 player (and I am not at the moment), it would be a Creative Labs device.

I don't think it is any secret here what I think of iPod.

Yep, iPods suck, that's why I would NEVER use one.. I keep my music on my phone, my iPhone...lol.....

well, since I get mine for 25 -30% of ( not off) list, I luv 'em. No problems

at all, but I'm a MAC user too. Have NEVER paid a penny for a download.

I find this very hard to believe. Such a expensive and stylish piece of equipment made be people who wear stylish clothes can only be the best there is to offer.

Pleeb.

My son left his Ipod Touch in his pocket, and it went through the wash . . . Found it sitting in the bottom of the washer when I took the clothes out . . . He had to let it set for a day to dry out, but it now works perfectly . . . I never would have expected that from any small gadget . . . I have new found respect for apples hardware due to that incident . .

^ that's a feature.

If it were not for iTunes, I'd be a huge fan.

I have two ipods, both early versions, and I like them. Itunes on the other hand... I use MediaMonkey and love it,

I have two ipods, both early versions, and I like them. Itunes on the other hand... I use MediaMonkey and love it,