I can�t say for sure when I know I was bitten but I have the date on my receipts (11/15/06). I guess I was late to the iPod party but I�ve not missed a step since I got involved with �Buck,� my iPod. I�ve got 3 now, one just for movies, and another for music and one for data and I�m negotiating with a contact in China for 5 more. iPod is the brain child of Steven Jobs, Apple guru and all around genius. More than 22 million ipods have been sold to US adults, which amounts to approximately 11% of the population (according to the non-profit Pew Internet & American Life Project). I became a fan and user and my addiction continues to grow stronger. Now I spend my days learning about new applications and my nights surfing for clearance sales, closeouts, underground sources for discounts on accessories. For example, last week I found a site that sells what they call an iPod Converter. This unit allows for unlimited downloads of movies and music and games and software and provides a lifetime membership in their download club. As a full blown movie nut this little handful of technology is gobbling up my free time by the hour. Talk about addiction, I was rummaging through some magazines in the basement of the library at midnight (don�t ask) and found this underground techie magazine. There was a story about an MP3 converter that took me a few minutes to realize was the iPod converter I heard about last week. The techie manual indicated this is better than Blockbuster and NetFlicks all rolled into one very user friendly palm-sized unit. I�ll share the link here anyone who is interested can read all about it. As I continue to learn about all-things-iPod I�ve just discovered about iPod hacks. This reference startled me at first as it is not in my nature to destroy other�s enjoyment in any manner, especially when it comes to something like PCs and iPods. What I learned is the term hacks when it refers to iPod is another way of saying accessories, except that the modification most likely will void your iPod�s warrantee. In any case the lists I found were nothing less than fascinating. For instance, according to howstuffworks.com, the range of accessories includes downloadable iPod games and programs that convert DVDs to iPod-friendly video files. There are also programs that convert PDA files your PowerPoint presentations into files that work with your iPod-compatible. The howstuffworks website also provided a reference to a list of some current applications: �iPod hackers are publishing all sorts of programs that alter the way an iPod works -- some of the software is free, and some of it is for purchase. Some currently available hacks let you: � Make an iPod work with Linux machines and run Linux applications. � Remove volume caps (iPods sold in Europe cap the volume at 100 decibels; uncapped iPods can reach more than 115 decibels.) � Turn your iPod into a universal remote. � Attach an external hard drive to your iPod to increase the storage capacity. � Change your iPod's font and graphics. � Watch movies on your iPod in full-screen mode. � Plug your iPod into any computer (even without iTunes) and listen to music from the hard drive. � Transfer photos to iPod without using iTunes. � Replace iTunes all together as the iPod's main jukebox. � Use an iPod with a Windows 98 machine. While I am fascinated with the expansion this provides I am too cautious and protective of Buck to try anything other than factory sealed products from Apple. I can be patient until they ramp up to the accessory list I peeked at in an underground publication. The upcoming Apple list is robust and will blow away the hacker�s meager offerings. Meanwhile, I�ll stick to my movie and music downloading which keeps me rather busy and satisfied. However if you hear any buzz about an auto-pilot for long cross-country drives that�s compatible with a 2006 STS, please pass it on. I might just let Buck give it a try.
