iPod Tips:How do transfer your music to the iPod

The first bridge every ipod owner crosses is getting their music to the iPod.
Let’s assume you’re the proud owner of a new iPod out of the box with all the goodies on the table ready to be your new best friend. Not much of a friend if it has no content. It’s more like an expensive paperweight! Apple provides a software CD called iTunes with each of iPod sold. The iPod loads songs using your computer. Install the iTunes software on your computer, register your iPod, and the program will lead you by the hand loading the MP3 files from your computer automatically. iTunes will know if you have added or deleted any content from your computer and will make the appropriate changes on you iPod the next time you connect it. iTunes also offers a pay by song downloading service.

Q.How do I convert my CD’s to MP3 so I can listen to them on my ipod?

A. There are several ways. Windows Media Player has a “rip” button at the top of the window to allow you to select tracks and convert them to MP3.
Personally I prefer the freeware program. Audio Grabber:

AudioGrabber Home Page

This is a freeware solution that works very well. Simply put your CD in the computer CD Drive run audiograbber and it will search the internet for the song titles and assign them for you.

Then you can choose the tracks you want to convert, click another button and in minutes you’ll have your complete CD converted!

Once the tracks have been converted to MP3 format. Place them in the Folder iTunes searches in and presto...the new MP3 files will be added to your iPod upon the next connection. Q. What if I don't want to use iTunes?

A.For some of us, iTunes does not have the appeal Apple wishes it does. For one thing it requires installation of Quicktime. I've had my issues with this or any software that installs itself without asking permission.

Obviously it's in Apples best interest for you to install iTunes. I don't like iTunes (Sorry Apple). I prefer putting my music on my ipod with software that allows all actions to be done in the windows environment. I highly recommend Redchair Software "Anapod Manager".

Redchair Software

This is a wonderful program worth it’s price many times over.

Using it makes it simple to add/remove tracks with a familiar computer interface. Drag and drop titles create playlists, sort your collection, assign MP3 “tags” if you wish.
And no, I am only a customer of Anapod I don’t have any affiliation with the company so you know this is a non biased opinion of the software.
Personally I like it better than iTunes and it is much less obtrusive as well.

Anapod will run along side with iTunes as well, so if you have installed iTunes there is no problem running Anapod.