Was the recording I did with Andy helpful? Personally, I'd rather listen to something like that than a "Let's Learn Japanese!" kind of thing with a "phrase of the day." But maybe that's just me. Most of the time I can't stand using educational material.

Apple's design is always beautiful to look at but
they're doing all the same greedy crap microsoft got
sued for(justly) now… like proprietary software and
everything they do to restrict Itunes etc…

I was going to go Mac but Google has begun to make
such cool, abundant free shit, that's presently for
Windows. Whenever they come out with their own
operating system or even a browser I'll crap my pants.
They're setting all the rules now and making Apple and
Windows look like two greedy little brats(no relation
to your cute kids – hee hee).

BTW – I just tried to submit this comment and got the
error page. I successfully sent my last comment in
this same session -so… ?

Companies try to do all they can to maximize profits, and at the same time users try to do everything they can to maximize value. Seems like users always win when a company's goals are at odds with the users'. I love how people from all over the world work together to free everyone from the restraints companies try to impose on the ways to use their technology. So in a way, maybe there's something good about greedy companies.

I bought my iPod 5 years ago because I fell in love with it at first sight. But these days there are many alternatives to the iPod that are more appealing to me, and more will be available soon. I'm still holding out for an MP3 & video player/recorder that has an external mic input, at least 20GB of storage, decent battery life, no DRM and weighs about the same as my wallet.

When you look at all the competition, the iPod isn't much more than a status symbol and fashion accessory. I don't put much value in either, but I can definitely tell you that plenty of Japanese do. White headphones are all the rage in Tokyo these days.

You gotta admit, Apple is a much more interesting company to follow than Microsoft. Setting up full-service boutiques to sell computers was ingenious, and Steve Jobbs has got to be the world's greatest marketer and salesman. But cheap people like me don't buy their stuff.

The good thing about Winamp with that plugin is that you can take your songs to your work computer and dump them. Keep em' on both or just shuttle them around, whatever. The bullcrap Apple is trying to pull is unacceptable. I can't wait until Google makes something to compete in this area because they seem like the only ones who are fair and have ambitious ideas instead of trying to lock everyone into some regressed business model.

iTunes Store is another story. I wouldn't buy a song I can play only on one brand of player.