My first modern MP3 was a first-generation IPod shuffle that I got free after signing up for a credit card. I used ITunes and mostly downloaded podcasts, but got annoyed that it didn't remove dead links from my library. For example, if you move a directory with mp3s on your hard drive, ITunes will then list the title twice, one with the broken link that doesn't work and one with the working link (after you manually re-add it to your library).
The Mac version of ITunes automatically deletes links. The whole enterprise is a giant F U to Microsoft Windows.
That is why when I got cheap non-Apple MP3 player #2, I switched over to Windows Media Player. WMP automatically deletes old links, has a nicer user interface, and is better at monitoring for new content. It does everything! Except support podcasts, which over 50% of MP3 player owners listen to (source: like I have to tell you. It's obviously made up.)
Okay. I'll open ITunes to download podcasts, and then open WMP to transfer them to my MP3 player. That worked fine until I bought MP3 player #3, a first-generation Microsoft Zune on sale for $105. It's great...except it doesn't work with ITunes or WMP. In a giant F U to Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Zune doesn't work with the company's own flagship media player. It only works with Zune Player!, which looks exactly like WMP except it is black and a little more difficult to use.
Why am I telling you this? For your own benefit! I finally broke down and searched for some third-party programs to handle this mess.
Music Bridge This program copies metadata such as playlists and ratings between ITunes and WMP. You can rate a song in either program and have the rating show up in both libraries. It doesn't work yet with Zune Player! metadata though.
ITunes Library Updates If you run the Windows version of ITunes, this program will comb your entire library and remove the dead links in it.
Am I missing any neat programs out there?
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
October 15, 2007
May 30, 2005
Old Magazines
Is there anything useful to do with old magazines besides recycle them? Should I put on a white beard, stuff them in a red sack, and visit crowded doctor's offices around Virginia? "Ho ho ho, everybody! It's Magazine Claus. Here, have an Utne Reader."
May 05, 2004
JEE-SUZ...
If I told media conglomerates this once, I've told them a thousand times. Trying to suppress something only makes it more popular. (see Nightline, Michael Moore's new movie).
February 03, 2004
Subject: Security Alert: E-mail and Internet Scams
Date: February 3, 2004
Many e-mail scams are currently circulating the Internet and showing up in e-mail inboxes. Many times, these fraudulent e-mails are designed to entice recipients into giving up sensitive credit card and bank account information. It is important to know how to identify and validate whether an offer is a scam, and who to contact in the event you receive one of these questionable offers.
How do I project myself from a scam?
There are many steps you can take to project yourself:
* Don't follow web links in an e-mail requesting any financial information.
* Contact your bank and ask for verification before responding to any e-mail correspondence you receive from your bank.
* Visit Scamprotector.com. You can find out how much of your personal information is publicly accessible and learn how to remove it from the public arena. Just log in with the driver's license or credit card number you want to check at the prompt and Scamprotector will take care of the rest.
Many e-mail scams are currently circulating the Internet and showing up in e-mail inboxes. Many times, these fraudulent e-mails are designed to entice recipients into giving up sensitive credit card and bank account information. It is important to know how to identify and validate whether an offer is a scam, and who to contact in the event you receive one of these questionable offers.
How do I project myself from a scam?
There are many steps you can take to project yourself:
* Don't follow web links in an e-mail requesting any financial information.
* Contact your bank and ask for verification before responding to any e-mail correspondence you receive from your bank.
* Visit Scamprotector.com. You can find out how much of your personal information is publicly accessible and learn how to remove it from the public arena. Just log in with the driver's license or credit card number you want to check at the prompt and Scamprotector will take care of the rest.
June 19, 2003
Writing Lesson #1: Clichés
Here's a quick lesson that will help you breath life into the dead chipmunk that you call your writing.
When writing, avoid using clichés. For one, it's a French word, and everything French is bad. Two, robots use clichés, and no one can compete with robots.
For example:
Bad: Avoid clichés like the plaque.
Good: Avoid clichés like a President avoids hookers with multisyllabic names.
Bad: I have a love-hate relationship with Dr. Laura. I love to hate her.
Good: I have a hate-love-love-hate-relationship with birthmarks in the shape of Warren Beatty's right nipple. I hate to love to love to hate them.
When you win the Pulitzer, please invite me to the banquet. I hear they have half-price drinks.
When writing, avoid using clichés. For one, it's a French word, and everything French is bad. Two, robots use clichés, and no one can compete with robots.
For example:
Bad: Avoid clichés like the plaque.
Good: Avoid clichés like a President avoids hookers with multisyllabic names.
Bad: I have a love-hate relationship with Dr. Laura. I love to hate her.
Good: I have a hate-love-love-hate-relationship with birthmarks in the shape of Warren Beatty's right nipple. I hate to love to love to hate them.
When you win the Pulitzer, please invite me to the banquet. I hear they have half-price drinks.
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