MP3 Players are Quite Fantastic

You can always tell a piece of technology that is going to catch on because from the point you start using it, it changes permanantly changes the way you do or think about something.

The Nomad did that for me, the Dishplayer also did that for me.

"My music everywhere" is a definitely good thing... though I still find myself looking for something new to listen to a lot of the time (not to mention I can't even get close to getting my collection on a 20 gig drive).

I am definitely in love with my MP3 player, as well. It's actually an older model Intel 3000 series, which only has 96 Megs of space on it, but it's still fantastic..it's almost like having that perfect mix tape ready whenever you want.

Definitely looking to upgrade, but it's defintiely much less hassle than the portable CD player. Now, if we can get the in-dash car MP3 player.....

I have an older model Rio 500 which I just upgraded to 192 MB. It holds about 3 hours of music - so it's not like having an Ipod. I usually let WinAmp randomly sort my music directory, then copy the the first 3 hours over.

I got an Archos Jukebox for Christmas, and starting yesterday I finally have time to put stuff on it. I'm amazed how much I'll be able to put on there. I don't have anywhere near the volume of your cd collection, Ryan, but holy crap! (spinning in chair with glee) I can put my whole collection (and what I like from my boyfriend's) in 20 gig ... and still have room for more!!
I'm still in the giddy phase, but I bet it will really change things. Now I have to figure out how to get Robert's most fabulous mix tapes on there, and I'll be sitting (and running and walking and ... ) happy.

What I love about devices like these which really change the way you play/work/whatever is that active communities always spring up around them, innovating with applications and whatnot... the iPod certainly has its community and the Nomad crew hangs out over at NomadWorld.com...

The Nomad Jukebox was given as a gift about 2 weeks before the iPod came out. Damn I hate it.

Hey, not to be ungrateful but...it's heavy and big and no where near as cool as the iPod.

But at this point I can't justify getting a "duplicate" piece of equipment so...I'll just have to live w/ the Jukebox.

Arquay -- of course, it should be pointed out that Creative also has the Nomad Zen which is very similar to the iPod and is (I believe) lighter.

The bulk of the Nomad never bothered me -- the interface does bug me a bit, but the bulk hasn't. Sure, it's not as slick as the iPod, but a.) it's a heck of a lot cheaper, and b.) it's hacker friendly (I was discussing with Paul today how you can get "modified" Nomads with up to an 80gig drive). And up until recently, the iPod didn't have a recording function, something the Nomad's had for quite a while.

It's not an either-or thing, really... it depends on what you're looking for in an MP3 player. I can think of situations where the Nomad would be preferable and others where the extra expense of the iPod could be justified...

I will give the iPod one big advantage over the Nomad: software. The Jukebox software is *terrible* (though the third party software from Red Chair's pretty sweet).

(BTW, Arquay -- have you updated the Firmware? It's changed a dozen times or so since the "base" version and sports a LOT of improvements...)

The Nomad Jukebox 3 looks pretty sweet. And it's much cheaper than an iPod. The iPod would be neat if it weren't so freakin' expensive. :P

I just got a brand new 10gb IPOD.. its awesome.. 200+ songs on it alredy!!

BTW - the new IPOD still does not work on the PC correctly using MM jukebox 8 but a great program EPHPOD does everything and more!!!

I got a Napster mp3 player for christmas and I love it! I should get an ipod or some other high gig player, i had mine for like two days now and it is already 75% full, but i listen to all the songs. It is 256mb, pretty nice, i like it