iPod Shuffle Fan Book: Life Is a Playlist [Paperback]

J D Biersdorfer J.D. (Author)

Book Description

Series: Fan Book | Publication Date: October 30, 2005

The Art of Shuffling

It's the most talked about digital music player and fashion statement. The iPod Shuffle has launched the "shuffling revolution" --the portable music experience with the element of surprise and spontaneity.

The iPod Shuffle Fan Book guides owners on a musical discovery that is never predictable. If you've joined, or are planning to join the "shuffle revolution," this user-friendly, compact and beautifully designed book is the ultimate guide. It shows you how to maximize on the potential of the Shuffle and the power of playlists. Learn how to get it up and running, load it with up to 240 songs, or use it as a flash drive to transport files. This written companion will guide Shuffle owners to master the art of music adventuring:

• Create custom playlists for any occasion
• Discover, share, and publish playlists with iMix
• Burn your playlists on CDs

Whether at work or play, iPod Shuffle owners will get the most out of their "shuffling" experience with this handy guide.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jude Biersdorfer has been writing the weekly Q and A column for the Circuits section of The New York Times since 1998, and she occasionally writes feature stories and how-to articles for the same section. She has written for Rolling Stone, The New York Times Book Review and the AIGA Journal of Graphic Design, among other publications, and has contributed essays on the collision of pop culture and technology for The Education of the E-Designer (2001) and Sex Appeal (2000), both published by Allworth Press. In her limited spare time, she likes to watch documentaries and torture the neighbors with her clawhammer banjo playing. She lives in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (October 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596100701
• ISBN-13: 978-0596100704
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,579,615 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After studying drama by day and working for the campus newspaper by night when I was at Indiana University, I moved to to New York on the Greyhound bus when I was 22, figuring I'd crash the theater and get a job right off as a prop tart making stuff for Broadway musicals. That didn't exactly work out, but I took a sideways bounce into the world of publishing. I've worked around the city at several magazines and now I write the weekly computer Q&A column for The New York Times.

I did make it to Broadway, though -- just hailed a cab there last night.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shuffle handbook, March 16, 2006

By 

K. Holthaus "Rush Fan" (Kansas City,MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: iPod Shuffle Fan Book: Life Is a Playlist (Paperback)

This is the book that Apple should have included with the Shuffle. It is a great and simple source of information.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HAVING FUN WITH IPOD SHUFFLE, November 25, 2005

By 

John R. Vacca "Tech Write Independent Reviewer" (Pomeroy, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: iPod Shuffle Fan Book: Life Is a Playlist (Paperback)

Are you thinking about getting an iPod Shuffle, have an iPod Shuffle or maybe you just wanted to learn a little more about the world's littlest iPod without having to wade through a book five times the size of the Shuffle itself? If you are, this book is for you! Author Jude Biersdorfer, has done an outstanding job of writing a great book on how to use the iPod Shuffle.

Biersdorfer begins by explaining how to work the iPod Shuffle and how to make digital music file in iTunes. Next, the author specifically shows you how to use iTunes to get digital music files for the iPod Shuffle. Then, Biersdorfer shows you how to transfer the digital music files. The author continues by playing with playlists. In addition, the author next focuses on ways of using the iPod Shuffle to carry files. Biersdorfer also discusses iPod Shuffle accessories. Finally, Biersdorfer tells you where to find more information about the iPod Shuffle and where iPod fanatics like to hang out on the Web so you can drop by and find out all the latest iPod Shuffle news.

In this excellent book, Biersdorfer goes well beyond the brief booklet that comes inside of your Shuffle box and explains in complete detail how to use an iPod Shuffle. According to Biersdorfer, "life is random, but learning how to use your iPod shouldn't be!"

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes a great stocking stuffer for the holidays!, November 3, 2006

By 

Elaine Robinson (Anchorage, AK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: iPod Shuffle Fan Book: Life Is a Playlist (Paperback)

Learn that you can do more with an iPod(tm) Shuffle than just uploading songs and listening randomly. If you have a Shuffle, you might want to start with this little 90 page soft-bound book. It is compact (5.9 x 6") and beautifully designed. There are all color images or screenshots on almost every page. One feature that I found very handy was the color coded chapter tags on the left hand side of the pages. On the right side listed the chapter you were in making finding things easier.The red part of the cover is actually a separate piece and I found myself using the ends as a bookmark. No big deal but nonetheless a useful feature.

The book handles all the basics in an easy to understand manner. The chapters range from getting started, all about iTunes, playlists, using your Shuffle as a Pocket USB Drive, cool stuff for your Shuffle and Troubleshooting. Extras include how to make CD covers in iTunes, burning playlists to CD or DVD, making celebrity (or different moods) playlists, and publishing your own playlists in iMix in iTunes.

You do receive a little 29 page (paper) User Guide with your Shuffle that walks you through the basics quite adequately but if you want to know and do more, then this inexpensive iPod Shuffle Fan Book is for you. The chapter on iTunes and the music store was very comprehensive, as was the listing of Apple's and various other web sites about iPods. It gives a new owner a good place to start. I was totally blown away at the power in the little Shuffle. I was equally impressed with this little book. Many aspects of the book will still be relevant if you upgrade to a Nano or larger iPod. Buy the book...it's cheap at $9.95 and makes good quick reading so you don't have to wade through pages and pages to get an answer. Information is presented in a comprehensive and fun manner! I recommend it heartily.