You might have to log in before clicking that link.
Also, you might have different materials available to you, based on what the local library you signed with buys from netlibrary. After I log in I see a “Basic Search” box, then under that I see
(my local library where I signed up is in Broward County, FL)
and under that I see
I suspect perhaps your library hasn’t purchased the audiobook option.
I think that may be it. Thanks!
Also, does anyone have one of the Dell DJs? How do you like it?
Just purchased a Dell DJ30 a couple of weeks ago and love it. I went with the Dell because it compatible with the Yahoo subscription music service. I was able to transfer the 20 gig for music I have in the “my music” folder directly onto the DJ30.
Took at 17 hour road trip over Thanksgiving and listened to it the entire way on full random mode. Love it!
Purchased it as a new item via ebay for $225.
Well, I’ll bite…
I am a big fan of my iPod and I liked it so much that I decided to get a Mac afterwards.
First I switched to iTunes for my music player on my PC. Why? I liked several features.
Firstly, you don’t need to manage your MP3 structure anymore. If you want to burn a CD from your MP3s then it has that function already integrated. For me, I play songs, and would occasionally copy them to a cd. If you download songs, you can have it automatically copy them to a central folder every time it is played with subfolders for the album, etc. Secondly there is the beauty of “smart playlists.” You can have a specific playlists that plays songs that you have listened to more than 50 times but not in the last month, for example. There are countless combinations available for listening to stuff that you haven’t gotten around to recently. They update automatically if you want, and when you listen to a song on your iPod it will automatically update with iTunes these stats along with ratings you might give while listening on your iPod.
So for me, the iPod + iTunes combo is my music nirvana. Anytime I add songs from a CD it will automatically fetch the names and import them to a variety of formats including AAC, MP3, WAV, and apple’s proprietary formats.
You also get the music store with is very addicting. But this is a very typical apple approach to everything. They sort of pidgeonhole you into doing things their way, but in the end, it works pretty well. Before I used winamp and I would make a playlist by looking at the MP3 files or using a similar library function in winamp. But for some reason I just like iTunes better. Anytime I download a song it gets instantly added to my library in one central location if I ever needed to back them up.
But I like to keep things simple on the tech side of my life. My cellphone doesn’t have a camera, and is pretty basic. I don’t want anything from an MP3 player than that it plays MP3s. The interface is also very good as well.
Also, all iPods come with a one-year warranty I believe, and Apple will basically send you a new one pretty quickly if necessary.
If you don’t get an iPod, I’d suggest you use an iTunes compatible player. This is the next best option I believe. But in any case, i suggest you try iTunes for the reasons I have posted above. In Itunes you can drag songs as if you were looking at the real files*. So if you have your MP3 player working in hard disk mode, you can simply drag the songs from iTunes directly to your disk and they will copy from whatever location they are in. Give iTunes a shot, and forget about keeping your collection organized. You won’t need to. It does all that you could want to do with music. Also, if you have a lot of CDs it is great to use iTunes to import them as there is an option that will automatically rip the CD when you insert a disc and then eject it making for very fast batch conversions.
*This is the way it works on a Mac, at least.
It is really all a matter of preference. Just make sure the player you go with is compatible with the on-line music service you prefer. As I stated earlier I use Yahoo and the subscription music is not compatible with iPod (iPod only works with iTunes). The 2 high capacity players compatible with Yahoo subscription music service are the iRiver and the Dell DJ
I bought a Creative Zen Micro (5Gig, the only model at the time) about a year ago. It was a great value, coming with 2 removable batteries, A/C power adapter, belt clip, desk stand, earphones and carry bag. Now they sell the unit with only the carry bag and earphones. The A/C adapter is $30, extra battery $40, and I haven’t seen the belt clip and desk stand priced.
The best thing about it is the incredible audio quality. I hear instruments and vocals I’ve never heard before. You need high-quality phones to appreciate this unit. But Creative makes you work for that clean sound…
Zen Micro’s are extremely fragile. I’m on my third unit, waiting for its premature and inexplicable death. The second broke just by plugging it into charge it! Since it was outside the 90 day “parts and labor” warranty it was $40 to fix. The lengthy hold times on a non toll-free support line poured salt into the injury.
The touch-interface can be frustrating. There is a vertical touchpad for volume and for selecting menu options. Slide up or down to move the cursor or change volume, press down once to choose. The speed of the moving isn’t consistent across functions. Choosing menu options the slider is wayyy to fast so you tend to overshoot your selection. Changing volume is much slower.
Because the touchpad is so sensitive even at its least sensitive, the lockout switch is essential. This switch becomes recessed with the belt clip or desk stand. I have mansized fingers and have difficulty with this.
I have to second Uglybeech’s opinion of the software. It is a bunch of individual software packages, each having its own quirks and bugs. Half the time when I modify the playlist, I end up accidentally doing it on player instead of the computer. As someone who’s been using MP3 players since the original Diamond Rio (1998) and hard drive-based players since the Creative Jukebox (2000), I should know how to do it. Actually, this is pretty typical for Creative software.
Bottom line: I’ve asked Santa for a used iPod or anything other than a Creative MP3 player. I hope Christmas gets here before the Micro dies.
RandMcnally, Mr. Blue Sky and Flickster all make good points. iRiver makes great products, and the Creative Nomad Jukebox is absolutely fantastic.
There are a bunch of mp3 players out there that are worthy alternatives to the 'pod, whether you’re looking at hard-disk or flash based players.
**My advice to you? Buy the 'Pod. **
Doesnt matter if you’re buying the 30-gig or the Nano. Here’s why:
Design: Sure, aesthetics are subjective, but the minimalist design of the ipod has real appeal. It’s slim, its sexy, it fits well in your jeans, and its not heavy.
Output: If running with the fashionistas isnt your thang, big deal - with the iPod, its possible to be an audiophile too. The frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, jitter, and harmonic distortion are all fantastic which means the 'Pod sounds good in your ears. The neodymium drivers that come with the stock headphones have great clarity, but are slightly weak bass-wise, a problem thats immediately rectified by either using the Eq settings on the pod, or by upgrading the headphones.
Usability: The click wheel and the UI are a dream. Ive got over 3000 songs and abt 600 photos on my iPod, and I can get to any song I’m looking for in a manner of seconds. Less, even, if I’ve made my playlists.
Software: iTunes works. And it works well. Merkwurdigliebe makes a damn good point about smart playlists and ratings.
Accessorize!: Lets face it, NO other player out there has even close to as many accessories that the ipod has. I’m talking the whole the nine yards here - remote headphones, cases, pouches, FM receivers, FM transmitters, power packs, a squillion different types of 'phones, and lest we forget - the 'Pods success means that everyone, and I mean everyone - we’re talking Bose, Harman Kardon, Altec Lansing, JBL, Etymotic, et al - offer speaker systems for the 'pod. I’m personally using JBLs, and they fill up my room beautifully.
I even hook up my 30 GB Photo to my car system wirelessly using the iTrip.
Bottom line - the extra $20 - $50 you’ll spend on the iPod? Worth every cent.
Well the verdict is in…
I had it narrowed down… I liked the idea of an SD card and durability was key…
However, I just found out that the university I attend has a deal with apple and I get a big discount on IPODS with cool laser engraving on the back… So, I’m selling out and buying an IPOD Nano (Or exchanging it with the devil for my soul)
I really really hope I am making the right choice…