ambivalent comment

Just FYI, I think some confusion might have been created above when “mcdordad” explained how to do a hard reset of the iPod. My understanding is that you don't have to plug the iPod into a powered firewire port (which Dave's sony doesn't have); you just have to plug the iPod into *power* -- the wall outlet will work fine.

Dave: If you're just going to throw your iPod out, I'll take it. If I had the money for a new portable audio device, I'd probably go with one of the above options w/more features, but I'd also be willing to risk $30 to see if your iPod would work w/a new battery or something.... ;-)

I agree that the iPod is sadly bereft of features and tends to steer users in one direction w/iTunes, ACC, etc, but isn't it important to remember the context in which it exists? There was really no viable online music business prior to the iTunes music store, and in order to make that work, Apple had to sell its soul to the RIAA to get rights to sell the music. The soul-selling came w/the DRM and the perceived “lock in.” So from where I sit, I have to wonder how much choice Apple had. At the time, it was Hollywood's way or no way, so Apple decided to try it Hollywood's way. Now people are over the coolness of being able to download any song they want (which they've found isn't true since the selection is limited) in about one minute for less than a buck each. Remember what a cool thing that was when it first started? But we're over it, so now we're asking whether Apple's Faustian bargain w/Hollywood -- a bargain that basically allowed Apple to create a proof-of-concept for a successful online music business -- was worth it. I'm certainly not qualified to say. I'm just saying that it doesn't seem like Apple's so powerful and free to do whatever it wants in this space, so maybe Apple shouldn't get so much of the blame and the ire. Yeah, Apple has the bestselling portable music player, but couldn't Hollywood shut down a lot of Apple's mojo in a heartbeat if it wanted to end its sales agreements for the iTMS? It seems like Apple's been walking a fine line between pissing off Hollywood and pissing off users. I hope it's able to start move that line toward the users soon...