BKIPODMM.RVW   20061213

"iPod: The Missing Manual", J. D. Biersdorfer, 2007, 0-596-52978-3
978-0-596-52978-9, U$19.99/C$25.99
%A   J. D. Biersdorfer JD.Biersdorfer@gmail.com
%C   103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA   95472
%D   2007
%G   0-596-52978-3 978-0-596-52978-9
%I   O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
%O   U$19.99/C$25.99 707-829-0515 fax: 707-829-0104 nuts@ora.com
%O  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596529783/robsladesinterne
  http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596529783/robsladesinte-21
%O   http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0596529783/robsladesin03-20
%O   Audience n- Tech 1 Writing 1 (see revfaq.htm for explanation)
%P   239 p.
%T   "iPod: The Missing Manual, Fifth Edition"


The introduction outlines, in rather enthusiastic (if *extremely*
terse) text, the iPod product, and then explains the standard
references used in technical books for those who don't read any
technical books.

Chapter one is a presentation of the iPod as it comes out of the box. 
Unfortunately this may be a bit confusing at first, if you don't have
a standard configuration of a full-scale iPod, a Macintosh computer,
and an iTunes account already loaded with songs.  For other situations
there are a number of provisos that do not make clear what you can and
cannot do.  Menus and settings (and a few other topics such as cases,
games, and battery charging) are listed in chapter two.  The iTunes
program (as opposed to the online store), and various functions are
described in chapter three.  The descriptions are sometimes a bit
lacking: there is mention of the ability to convert from one audio
format to another, but no catalogue of the range of files that can be
accommodated, nor the format requirements for the iPod player itself. 
Chapter four deals with the creation and modification of playlists
(with a few items in regard to the management of song files).  The
iTunes Store (as opposed to the computer utility) is the subject of
chapter five.  Video capabilities are reviewed in chapter six. 
Chapter seven turns to the storing and playing of photos and
slideshows.  The utility software that comes with the iPod gets an
overview in chapter eight, for some reason along with one hardware
device that you can buy separately.  Chapter nine lists speakers and
accessories.  A few troubleshooting tips (mostly limited to the
equivalent of rebooting or upgrading software) and some options for
service are mentioned in chapter ten.  Chapter eleven finishes off
with a few ideas of things to do that might be related to iPods (but
doesn't go into how to do them).

While this manual may be helpful to some, it is going to be somewhat
frustrating for others: a lot of the information is still missing. 
This is not because Biersdorfer doesn't know her stuff: her earlier
"iPod and iTunes: The Missing Manual" (cf. BKIPDITN.RVW) does cover
issues that are not included in this work.

On the other hand, maybe there is a big market that wanted more and
prettier pictures, but a lot less information.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2006   BKIPODMM.RVW   20061213