Let Mac guru Andy Ihnatko show you how to put everything but the kitchen sink on your iPod—from old LPs, radio programs, television shows, and movies to spreadsheets, presentations, and PC rescue files. You'll quickly discover that music is only a small part of the picture as you learn how to record TV shows for an iPod, record radio broadcasts and automatically convert them into podcasts, convert Web pages into formats that can be read or listened to on an iPod, and even translate Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents for the iPod screen. Whether you're a PC or a Mac user, or have a past, present, or even future iPod, Inhantko advice works perfectly.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
good info, but needs updating, August 30, 2008
By
janieI found this very helpful for learning how to do things with my classic video ipod. Bought one for my dad as well.
Doesn't cover ipod touch, and I think some of the links and examples are out-of-date.
As others have remarked, a new edition would benefit from fewer whimsical anecdotes about the author.
An iPod must-have!, February 3, 2008
By
Eugene G. Curtis (Shokan, NY)
This book, unlike many others, delivers what it promises. It shows you exactly how to load stuff onto your iPod. The author even recommends good software to use with it. Do not hesitate to buy this book.
Make your iPod more like an iPhone, July 23, 2007
By
D. Greenbaum (Lawrence, KS)
iPod Fully Loaded by Andy Ihnatko
While I'm sure Andy has an iPhone, this excellent book was written when the iPhone was only an apple in Steve's eye, Andy does a great job of helping the average user tweak some extra features from their iPod. Those suffering from iPhone envy will find some solace in Andy's tips. This book is best for techheads who want to impress their friends, families and associates with all the incredibly cool things they can do with their iPod. iPods have evolved into mini PDAs that can do practically anything (it's the inputing that's the challenge!)
The first few chapters of the book were obvious tips that even beginner iPod'ers know and would annoy the intermediate to advanced audience the book is designed to reach. We all know we can copy songs from our CDs to our iPod. Yawn. Another distraction of the book is the annoying quips and too much personal info about Andy. Sorry, Andy, I'll read your blog to find out your opinion about Battlestar Galactica or the Simpsons, but I don't want it in a book about how to use an iPod. No offense, just not interested. Also, Andy played a bit fast and loose with disclosure on the risks of copyrights. It may be his opinion that some things should be legal, but in the murky legal environment today, more warnings of the risks of copying copyrighted materials should have been discussed.
Just like diamond surrounded by unimpressive coal, there are true gems in the book that I was able to immediately put to use. For example. Andy discussed programs for the Mac and PC that allow you to digitize to voice your emails and sync them with your iPod. I definitely downloaded some of his great tools and now I can laugh at those iPhone people because my iPod is almost as impressive. Almost. Also Andy does a great job of explaining how to use Automator in Tiger to get some really amazing features of your iPod working for you such as "listening" to a website. Take that iPhone! The most impressive iPod tricks Andy teaches is converting any text file to audio for listening, or simply easily breaking up the file for transport to the iPod. Many of the tricks don't require software, but use some neat ideas Andy has for existing tools such as taking a screen shot of a subway map and then putting it on your iPod.
As stated earlier, I quickly got annoyed by Andy's personal tips and societal opinions. Not tips on how to use your iPod, but tips on various SciFi TV shows. Again, Yawn. The tips interfered with the flow of the book because they were visual annoyance on the page. I expect those sidebars to give me exceptionally useful information. It's Andy's style as the "42nd most beloved industry personality" I'll give him leeway because he is an industry veteran and promoted the "Macquarium," just like I give my grandfather when he tells me story about the war (which one?)
Pros: Great tips to use your iPod to it's absolute potential. Great cure for iPhone envy.
Cons: Andy's style, which gets in the way of the information and artificially increases the length of the book.
Four out of Five Dogcows
iPod Fully Loaded: If You've Got It, You Can iPod It, May 31, 2007
By
R. Stansberry
Lots of useful information.
Great book!, January 29, 2007
By
Wendy Gill (Sterling Heights, MI)
I skipped around and used the chapers about transferring DVD to ipod and also learned about TV to ipod via EyeTV. Although I haven't purchased EyeTV since, it seems that all they said about it seems very simple. I enjoyed the random humor throughout. Easy to understand, step by step instructions for everything. I used the instructions for Mac, but a friend also took a peek and used some things for Windows that also worked out well. I think it's a great book for all of us ipod fanatics.
