ipod's (or other mp3 players) and Fedora

[Phil Meyer]

Kevin Kempter wrote:
> Hi All;
>
> I have Fedora 10 x86_64 running as my main (only) OS on my laptop I travel 
> with. I'd like to get an ipod or similar device. 
>
> I've heard a few things about ipod's - can anyone verify if this is true:
> - that a new ipod has to be 'formatted' on a mac or windows box before use
> - that the ipod database is somehow hashed so only itunes can write to it
>
> Also I'm looking for any suggestions per mp3 players (or ipods) that play nice 
> with linux (Fedora 10) and what tools you'all are using to move your music 
> around.
>   

Music is one of my passions.  It 'helps' me stay focused and relatively 
sane.  I don't go far without my music collection.

Since 2000, I have been testing and discarding mp3 players.  There just 
aren't any that I, personally, like.  Some have features, some have 
style, but none have both.

REQUIREMENTS:

1.   Expandable storage.
2.   Popular, common, and free formats supported.
3.   Unobtrusive to my habits.

SOLUTIONS:

1. RARE:  There are a few very simple mp3 players built into card 
readers.  There are also a vanishing few that have SD card expansions.

2.   This one is easier, and many new players can do ogg and others.  
You can even hack an ipod to support open formats, but do you want to?

3.  This is another very tough one.  I had, for years, smart phones with 
good music players.  Unfortunately, the iPhone is not a good one when it 
comes to a basic music player!  NONE of the Apple products support 
bluetooth stereo headsets.  Sure you can mangle something together with 
a dongle, but come on!

The new smartphones like the G1 and pre have potential, but the pre is 
not expandable (yet).  Plus, the cost is high to swith to a new 
smartphone just to get music.

CURRENT RESEARCH:

A year ago, I got into MIDs and still use the Nokia N810.  However, that 
device is also my primary book reader.  I read 40-100 novels a year.

For my college aged daughter, I bought her a netbook with a large hard 
drive.  She carries that around in her purse for her music player!  Lots 
of opportunity there, and the bluetooth stereo drivers for Linux are 
getting there ...

For myself, I am currently experimenting with large flash drives.  I 
keep a music archive up to date on a 64GB thumb drive via rsync from my 
main server, and carry the flash drive with me. 

As soon as I see a perfect netbook (the HP2134 is at the top of my 
current list)  I will dump the MID category for:

Good netbook with large SSD: (so it can remain 'on' in a case/back pack)
Bluetooth stereo headset.  (some very good ones out now)
HSPA/CDMA/XOMM card with a carrier contract that will allow both voice 
and data.

At that point, I will be happy.

Good Luck!