Last updated 10/20/2004

iPod Fan Book

iPod Fan Book
Author: Yasukuni Notomi
Publisher: O'Reilly
108 pages ... $14.95
ISBN 0-596-00776-0
Go anywhere with iPod

I was favorably impressed with the iPod Fan Book from the start, because like the iPod, the book looks neat, and because it is the first computer book that I have read that was translated from the Japanese.

The first impression held up quite well. It was easy to read, and contained information I could use to make decisions about buying and using an iPod.

Here is a list of the contents with my remarks.

Preface
Do not skip the Preface. It contains information about iPod versions.

01 Recording Guide
Contains information about ripping, recording and iTunes input such as the trade of between quality and compression. An example: Be sure you rip rhythm based music at bit rates greater than 160 kbps (128 kbps is considered the minimum for good sound).

02 iPod on the Go
Includes information like the right ear phones and carrying cases, adaptors for use in the car, and battery life.

03 The Power of Playlists
Includes suggestions for different kinds of playlists, and how to use them, and how to create them. One example is to make a playlist diary, to see how your interests and music moods change.