Putting music onto my computer

[karl_brown41]

I have decided that I want to put all my CD's onto my computer. But I have a few reservations and problems.

1. I'm thinking about putting the music on a external hard drive so if I get a new computer, I won't have to worry about moving it over. Am I right in thinking this should be ok?

2. My girlfriend has an Ipod shuffle. I don't really like I-tunes, especially because you have to give your bank details to have access to the store before you have brought anything. And also, because of their encryption (although they have reported that they are going to stop it) where you won't be able to use any different types of music on their players or software. However, I do like the genius function, lol. Is there any way I can use another program that we will still be able to use the shuffle?

So, does anyone have any suggestions?

Also, I want to buy an MP3 player and am really thinking against an IPOD because of the reasons above. At the moment I can see it being difficult because of the shuffle. And this is why I'm against the IPOD, I feel as though they trap you into always having one. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

Hi,

With regards to the first point, I would agree to have a separate drive - whether it is internal or external - although I think it could be better to know what space your existing drives have.

I personally always use multiple (physical) disks in my computers, the first often being used to hold the OS in one partition (or "drive") 'C:', and any data in a different drive, 'D:'. I then use the second disk to hold backups, 'F:', so that if the first drive was to die, or someone deleted (accidentaly or otherwise) any data I would be able to get back to within six days of where I was.

Other than just being a simplification of the backups, the separate drives on the first disk mean that I could just format the 'C:' drive and start again, without losing any data. Personally I run weekly backup images of each of these to 'F:'.

As I (and others on here) have to remind ppl all to often, "If it wasn't backed up, it couldn't have been that important..."

With regards to the other Qs, I'm not exactly the person to ask - I'd much rather just go out and lift the front wheel on a roundabout, or any other activity you can do on a (motor)bike - and you shouldn't really be listening to anything then...

[railfrog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karl_brown41

I don't really like I-tunes, especially because you have to give your bank details to have access to the store before you have brought anything.

Then don't give your bank details.
You won't have access to the store, but you can still put your music on to the ipod.

[Nude_Lewd_Man]

Quote:

Originally Posted by railfrog

Then don't give your bank details.
You won't have access to the store, but you can still put your music on to the ipod.

Yeah, that's a point - I know that (here in the Land of Eng) you can buy "credit" cards from certain locations, and can enter the code/whatever it has on it, and use the funds on that card to purchase any tunage you want....

[karl_brown41]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nude_Lewd_Man

Yeah, that's a point - I know that (here in the Land of Eng) you can buy "credit" cards from certain locations, and can enter the code/whatever it has on it, and use the funds on that card to purchase any tunage you want....

I'm guessing you are on about the gift cards/vouchers that you can buy for Itunes. If so, you still have to give you bank details to get an account for you to use the gift card. And bearing in mind that probably more kids have Ipods than adults, Apple are taking advantage of parents having to give bank details so there children can use the vouchers.

I'm just not keen on the IPOD, it seems to offer no freedom and has you by the nuts.

[railfrog]

You will not have to give your bank account details if you want to transfer music from your own CD's to the ipod.
Rip the CD's into the itunes library, then sync the library with the ipod.

The only time you will have to give bank details is if you want to buy something from itunes.

[karl_brown41]

Quote:

Originally Posted by railfrog

You will not have to give your bank account details if you want to transfer music from your own CD's to the ipod.
Rip the CD's into the itunes library, then sync the library with the ipod.

The only time you will have to give bank details is if you want to buy something from itunes.

Or use a gift voucher you have been given or use the 'genius' function because you have to register an account.

You have seemed to have missed the point railfrog. I have given my bank details because I was given a gift voucher, but don't you find it wrong to have to give your bank details without buying anything.

This topic was never about the 'giving bank details', that it a minor irritation that I have with Apple.

[railfrog]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karl_brown41

Or use a gift voucher you have been given or use the 'genius' function because you have to register an account.

You have seemed to have missed the point railfrog. I have given my bank details because I was given a gift voucher, but don't you find it wrong to have to give your bank details without buying anything.

This topic was never about the 'giving bank details', that it a minor irritation that I have with Apple.

You never said anything about the gift voucher in your original post

[karl_brown41]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karl_brown41

I'm guessing you are on about the gift cards/vouchers that you can buy for Itunes. If so, you still have to give you bank details to get an account for you to use the gift card. And bearing in mind that probably more kids have Ipods than adults, Apple are taking advantage of parents having to give bank details so there children can use the vouchers.

I'm just not keen on the IPOD, it seems to offer no freedom and has you by the nuts.

But I did in reply to Nude_lewd_man, thats why I continued to rant, lol.

Never mind. My problem of a music library program that you can use with different products still continues.

[2monsters]

Try using Winamp Media Player - MP3, Multimedia, and Music Player instead of itunes.
These are awesome mp3 players
Newegg.com - Creative ZEN 2.5" Black 2GB MP3 / MP4 Player can be found cheaper if you look around.