Customer Reviews

iPod & iTunes: The Missing Manual, Fourth Edition

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very impressed by this book and its attention to detail. Like all others in O'Reilly's "missing manual" series that I have read, it leaves no stone unturned. The book's website at O'Reilly and Associates even has a "Missing CD" section that contains updates and lists chapter-by-chapter shareware and freeware programs mentioned in the book. The author provides thorough coverage of topics for Mac-only users but also includes detailed guidance for both Windows and Mac users. The book can be described as having everything you wanted to know about the iPod, its software, and its accessories, at the current date, Spring 2006. This is not a supplemental manual, it is a stand-alone reference. At just under 350 pages, who knew so much could be written about a machine that is now smaller than a deck of cards? Wherever the book talks about installing hardware or software or connecting to a computer there are detailed instructions complete with figures of what the connectors should look like, screen shots, and even some possible error messages you might see if you are doing something wrong with instructions on how to back out of your erroneous situation. The book pays tribute to veteran users by including an "Extreme iPodding" section consisting of 3 chapters after the detailed instructions for basic tasks that comprise the first 10 chapters of the book.
This book also does an excellent job of showcasing iTunes, which has now become a central point for downloading and enjoying all types of multimedia content, and is basically Apple's ambassador to the non-Mac world. Chapter 7 of the book showcases iTunes as a store. Since for many people, the iTunes Music Store is the first feature that they want to try out when using iTunes for the first time, this book does the important job of making that task easy.
In summary I highly recommend this book to all people interested in the iPod and iTunes. Amazon does not show the table of contents, so I do that here for the purpose of completeness:
PART 1: IPOD: THE HARDWARE
Chapter 1. Meet the iPod
Parts of the Pod
Charging the Battery
Earphones-Apple's or Otherwise
The iPod Menus
Chapter 2. The iPod Sync Connection
The iPod Software CD
Using USB 2.0
Connecting Your iPod by FireWire
Your Very First Sync
Varying the Auto-Transfer Theme
iPod-to-Computer Copying
Chapter 3. The iPod Shuffle
Meet the iPod Shuffle
Using the iPod Shuffle
Using the Shuffle as a USB flash drive
PART 2: IPOD: THE SOFTWARE
Chapter 4. Digital Audio Formats
Introduction to Digital Audio
Compressed Audio Formats
Other Podworthy File Formats
Bit Rates
Chapter 5. iTunes for Macintosh and Windows
Introduction to iTunes
A Quick Tour
Ripping CDs into iTunes
Getting Other Files into iTunes
Deleting Songs and Videos
Playing Music
Playing Videos
iTunes Administration
Internet Radio
Playlists
Burning a CD or DVD
Printing Playlists and CD Covers
Playing Songs Across a Network
Chapter 6. iPod Multimedia
Watching Video
Displaying Photos
Listening to Audio Books
Podcasting
Chapter 7. The iTunes Music Store
Welcome to the Music Store
A Store Tour
Searching and Shopping
What to Do with Purchased Content
Music Store Billing
PART 3: BEYOND THE MUSIC
Chapter 8: iPod Games and Other Extras
Games
Clock
Stopwatch
Screen Lock
Notes
Chapter 9: The iPod as External Drive
The iPod's Hard Disk Format
The iPod as External Hard Drive
Storing Data Files on the iPod
Deleting Data Files
Unmounting the iPod Drive
Chapter 10. Connecting the iPod
Connecting the iPod to a Stereo System
Using iTunes with AirPort Express
Connecting iPod to a Car Stereo
PART 4: EXTREME IPODDING
Chapter 11. Hot Hacks and Cool Tools
The AppleScripted iPod
More Mac Shareware
Software for Mac and Windows
More Windows Shareware
Recording Your Own Podcasts
Chapter 12. Troubleshooting
Apple's Alphabet: The 5 R's of iPod Repair
The iPod's Self-Help Modes
iPod Hardware Problems
Troubleshooting the iPod Shuffle
Headphone and Remote Problems
Problems with Song Quality
iTunes Blues
Problems with the iTunes Music Store
Software Updates for iTunes
iPod Software Updates
Where to Get Help Online
Chapter 13. iPod on the Web
Points of Interest at Apple.com
Software Updates for iTunes
Fun and Informative iPod Web Sites
APPENDIXES
Appendix A: iTunes, Menu by Menu
Appendix B: iPod as Organizer
Appendix C: iStuff- Gadgets for Your iPod
Appendix D: iPod as ebook Reader and Newsstand

This is a great companion for my iPod, even though a fair chunk of the book is geared to folks with the newer gadgets. There is a good overview section on the different hardware models (the Shuffle gets its own chapter) to get you familiar with the players themselves, plus there's a great discussion of the different audio formats. I found that particularly useful since I wasn't clear on impacts of moving away from iTunes' native AAC format.

The chapter on iTunes is pretty extensive and covers all the functionality from importing CDs to working wth playlists and the Music Store. There's a nice chapter on using the iPod as an external drive, a nice trick if you're looking for an extra place to back up that presentation you're travelling somewhere distant to make. I also liked the chapter on Hacks and Cool Tools with its good list of extra software you can find to help you do things like better manage your library and iPod or create your own podcasts.

It would have been nice if the author covered the JHymn package which lets you back up your purchased music, but I can understand the hesitancy due to legality questions -- but it's my music that I bought and paid for, darnit!

The author might also have given a quick nod to covering running presentations from your iPod, but that's a serious edge case so the utility of it in this book might have been marginal.

This really is a nice book if you're at all interested in doing more with your iPod.

So you've got your shiny new iPod, and want to know what exactly you can do with it. Good luck with the "manual" that comes with it - you'll learn how to charge your iPod, how to install the software for it, and precious little else.

That's why you need iPod and iTunes: The Missing Manual. You get the basics (learning the controls), you learn the software (including setting up an iTunes account), and you learn what the thing does other than play music. Did you know, for example, that with a few tweaks your iPod can act as a digital address book and appointment calendar? It's true, as long as you've got Outlook 2003 on your PC, you can take your calendar anywhere you go. Too many pictures for your wallet? No problem: dump 'em onto your iPod and go. Wish you had a pin drive? Use that extra iPod space to store the files you need. This book shows you how.

There's a valuable discussion of the various digital audio formats that you'll encounter, along with an explanation of why your new iPod can't play some of them. There's a guided tour of iTunes as well, though I'd have liked to have seen a bit more detail about making custom playlists and things like that.

I found that I knew most of what was included in the first three sections of the book. Of course, I've been fiddling with my Nano since Christmas, so I've learned a lot just by trying things out on my own. The really valuable part of iPod and iTunes: The Missing Manual for me was the fourth section - Extreme iPodding. Much of it, unfortunately, relies on you owning a Mac and being able to program in AppleScript, but there are some great shareware titles that are available for Windows systems out there, and this section tells you where to look.

The troubleshooting section is also a great resource. Everything from resetting your iPod to replacing the battery (NOT something Apple wants you to do, by the way) is covered - including software updates for both iTunes and the iPod. This section all by itself is something that every iPod owner should be thankful for - and it's really something that Apple should have included with the iPod.

iPod and iTunes: The Missing Manual is pretty basic in a lot of areas. Experienced iPodders should be taking a look at iPod and iTunes Hacks, also from O'Reilly. But if you are just starting out with your first iPod, this really is the book that should have come in the box, and you need to read it.

You know how there are some actors whom you can trust re part of a great movie. If they are in it, you know it's good. Take Tom Hanks: practically anything he is involved in tends to be a great movie (expect of course for "Joe and the Volcano"). David Pogue and the Missing Manual series are the Tom Hanks of the technical publishing world. Even their mediocre stuff rises head and shoulders among the competition. "iPod & iTunes" is no exception to the long string of quality and informative manuals.

In particular, I was impressed with the flow of the book. Too often new iPod users feel they have to buy music from the iTunes Music Store to use their iPod and directly bypass their legal CD collection. Biersdorefer doesn't introduce the iTunes music store until chapter 7. She logically starts with the iPod itself and the proper care and maintenance thereof, making sure new users can properly use and understand their iPod before they even hook it up to the computer. The book then moves from the iPod hardware to installing the software, adding songs, photos, and videos. After the user understand all that he then introduced the music store along with advanced concepts like using the iPod as an external hard drive. Finally, she introduces basic and advanced troubleshooting. Other books I've read on iPods organize their concepts based on themes such as hardware and software, rather than the actual flow of how a user might use their iPod. While you can easily pick up any chapter and learn something, beginner iPod users would be best serviced starting at, well, the beginning (how's that for straightforward logic?).

Throughout the book, Biersdorefer uses extensive pictures and screen shots to illustrate the concepts described. I'm always impressed when an author does this, because not everyone likes to sit in front of a computer learning something. Good visuals help a reader learn a concept while not sitting at the computer. In addition, her explanations are clear and easily understandable without requiring knowledge of technical jargon.

Biersdorefer also included just about every iPod tip and trick I know such as all the idiosyncrasies of photo formats the iPod can display and how to put DVDs on iPods. I honestly can't think of a single iPod concept the beginner or intermediate iPod user needs to know that isn't covered in this book. While I consider myself an iPod expert, I still learned a thing or two and would recommend this to basic users as a book to read cover to cover to understand how to use an iPod. Intermediate users can use this manual as a reference for tools or procedures they don't often do and don't want to rely on the whim of internet searches. For example, I know I can use my iPod to do iPod presentations but I probably won't remember how to do it until my new presentation. Biersdorefer covers the topic extensively so all I have to do is pick up his book. The only iPod concepts this book doesn't cover is advanced tinkering such as installing Linux or how to boot your Mac off of it.

In general, this is a impressive book for the beginner that wants to know everything their iPod can do and a great reference manual for advanced users.

Pros: Covers it all in straightforward easy to understand language accessible to beginners without talking down to experts.

Cons: iPod not included. Waaah.

I agree this is the manual that should have been packed with the ipod. Outstanding information, some details of tricks that can be done espically if you are using an Apple computer. Still for those Windows people it is very worth while especially if you are having issues trying to do some particular task.
What was a real surprise to me is there are several iPods that have different functionality, and those differences are seldom explained, this bood does a fair job on those. But I have discovered that the iPod I have is very unique, and will not support many of the newer features and accessories, even though it is less than 3 years old.
I will be watching for the next version of this book to see if there is more enlightment on the compatability issue.

Do you want to get the most out of your multimedia superstar? If you do, then this book is for you. Author J D Biersdorfer, has done an outstanding job of writing a 4th edition of a book that lets your inner designer come out and play.

Biersdorfer, begins by showing you what's inside the box for a full-size iPod Nano. Then, the author discusses the concept of iPod as a Satellite to Your Computer. Next, she shows you how to tap the full potential of iPod. Then, she covers MP3 and other music formats, including the main iPod-approved format. The author continues by exploring iPod's other treats for your ears and eyes. Next, she looks inside the iTunes Music store, and how to shop it. The author also explains the simple procedures for playing your iPod songs through the woofers and tweeters in your life. Then, she shows you how to take your iPod skills to the next level. Finally, she shows you how to troubleshoot the iTunes Music Store.

This most excellent book is a one-stop shopping for iPod reference and information. More importantly, you'll also find heaping helpings of the Three T's: tips, tricks and troubleshooting.

I found this book essential for the IPOD novice that I was when I bought both my IPOD and this book. Apple doesn't supply (yes I was quite shocked over that, especially since I had there top of the line IPOD)a manual with the IPOD I purchased. So I felt lost in terms of information and purchased this book. I found it to be very helpful and thus far has addressed and/or guided me through any problem or need for information that I have come across. A must for anyone with an IPOD put out by Apple.

This book was worth every penny!! It not only tells you how to transfer songs from your ipod to itunes but tells you where to get the free software to do it. I ordered it because a family member and a friend had both lost their itunes library due to a crashed hard disk. The freind sent me an e-mail after she got her songs back in her iTunes library saying it was the most wonderful thing that had happened to her in a long time. Am working my way through the rest of the book, feel sure there will be more goodies but am satisfied if this is the only new thing I learn.

The unhelpful except for sales Apple website, the high cost, the fragility and the lack of documentation have me wondering if the real evil isn't innocuous ol'Apple and maybe we all owe Microsoft a big apology. This manual has already answered one of my first problems with the ipod. Amazon is helping me with the other one i.e. a defective display - niiiiiice! I recommend this book.

Apple doesn't want to encourage sharing songs so your Ipod is assigned to one itunes account but you can do what you need to do by click and drag according to the instructions in this manual. If I hadn't found the solution, I would have returned the ipod.

I had my POD just sitting there. This book is what should have been done. In twenty minutes of reading, I was loading,dropping,syncing....Well written,easy to understand. Now to keep all the other IPODers who want to borrow it! Buy it!