| I can't say for sure when I know I was bitten | | | | For instance, according to howstuffworks.com, |
| but I have the date on my receipts (11/15 | | | | the range of accessories includes |
| 06). I guess I was late to the iPod party but | | | | downloadable iPod games and programs that |
| I've not missed a step since I got involved | | | | convert DVDs to iPod-friendly video files. |
| with "Buck," my iPod. | | | | There are also programs that convert PDA |
| | | | files your PowerPoint presentations into |
| I've got 3 now, one just for movies, and | | | | files that work with your iPod-compatible. |
| another for music and one for data and I'm | | | | |
| negotiating with a contact in China for 5 | | | | The howstuffworks website also provided a |
| more.iPod is the brain child of Steven Jobs, | | | | reference to a list of some current |
| Apple guru and all around genius. More than | | | | applications: "iPod hackers are publishing |
| 22 million ipods have been sold to US adults, | | | | all sorts of programs that alter the way an |
| which amounts to approximately 11% of the | | | | iPod works -- some of the software is free, |
| population (according to the non-profit Pew | | | | and some of it is for purchase. Some |
| Internet & American Life Project). I became a | | | | currently available hacks let you: |
| fan and user and my addiction continues to | | | | |
| grow stronger. | | | | • Make an iPod work with Linux machines |
| | | | and run Linux applications |
| Now I spend my days learning about new | | | | |
| applications and my nights surfing for | | | | • Remove volume caps (iPods sold in |
| clearance sales, closeouts, underground | | | | Europe cap the volume at 100 decibels; |
| sources for discounts on accessories. For | | | | uncapped iPods can reach more than 115 |
| example, last week I found a site that sells | | | | decibels.) |
| what they call an iPod Converter. | | | | |
| | | | • Turn your iPod into a universal |
| This unit allows for unlimited downloads of | | | | remote • Attach an external hard drive |
| movies and music and games and software and | | | | to your iPod to increase the storage capacity |
| provides a lifetime membership in their | | | | |
| download club. As a full blown movie nut this | | | | • Change your iPod's font and graphics |
| little handful of technology is gobbling up | | | | • Watch movies on your iPod in |
| my free time by the hour. | | | | full-screen mode • Plug your iPod into |
| | | | any computer (even without iTunes) and listen |
| Talk about addiction, I was rummaging through | | | | to music from the hard drive |
| some magazines in the basement of the library | | | | |
| at midnight (don't ask) and found this | | | | • Transfer photos to iPod without using |
| underground techie magazine. There was a | | | | iTunes |
| story about an MP3 converter that took me a | | | | |
| few minutes to realize was the iPod converter | | | | • Replace iTunes all together as the |
| I heard about last week. | | | | iPod's main jukebox • Use an iPod with |
| | | | a Windows 98 machine " |
| The techie manual indicated this is better | | | | |
| than Blockbuster and NetFlicks all rolled | | | | While I am fascinated with the expansion this |
| into one very user friendly palm-sized unit. | | | | provides I am too cautious and protective of |
| I'll share the link here anyone who is | | | | Buck to try anything other than factory |
| interested can read all about it. | | | | sealed products from Apple. I can be patient |
| | | | until they ramp up to the accessory list I |
| As I continue to learn about all-things-iPod | | | | peeked at in an underground publication. |
| I've just discovered about iPod hacks. This | | | | |
| reference startled me at first as it is not | | | | The upcoming Apple list is robust and will |
| in my nature to destroy other's enjoyment in | | | | blow away the hacker's meager offerings. |
| any manner, especially when it comes to | | | | Meanwhile, I'll stick to my movie and music |
| something like PCs and iPods. | | | | downloading which keeps me rather busy and |
| | | | satisfied. |
| What I learned is the term hacks when it | | | | |
| refers to iPod is another way of saying | | | | However if you hear any buzz about an |
| accessories, except that the modification | | | | auto-pilot for long cross-country drives |
| most likely will void your iPod's warrantee. | | | | that's compatible with a 2006 STS, please |
| In any case the lists I found were nothing | | | | pass it on. I might just let Buck give it a |
| less than fascinating. | | | | try. |
| | | | |