What to do When Your iPod Doesn't Work?

April 05, 2008 by Stephanie L. Grant

I'm upset. My iPod doesn't work. Granted, I've owned it since 2004 (I think), possibly earlier, but I haven't really used it all that much until the past few years. It's a 60 GB, white, and just doesn't turn on anymore. I just got it to turn on but it froze during one of the songs the last time I turned it on and wouldn't turn off. Now it gives me a sad face and instructs me to go to a support website. I just tried to turn it on again and now it works. Who know what the hell is going on?

For as great as Apple products are, like the Mac computer, software and interfaces, their iPods certainly have a lot of kinks. When I first got my iPod, I had to frequently restore it, wiping all of the information off of it. When it was still under warranty, I actually sent it in once and had Apple send a brand new one to me. I don’t remember the reason but I do remember that I was very excited to have gotten a brand new one : D

The hassle of the iPod is almost not worth its advantages. There are so many horror stories – online, or in your family or with your friends. There is even a http://www.anythingbutipod.com/. Most problems center on the battery life of the iPod, but are there any alternatives to having an iPod? They command the mp3 market and are synonymous with the phrase “mp3 players.”

A few alternatives include Rockbox where one can play GameBoy games on his mp3 player, the iRiver S10 (which sounds like a car, the Mazda S10) which also has an FM tuner (remember the Walkman?), and the Microsoft Zune, from the Microsoft Corporation, with a wireless capability for sharing songs with other Zunes. The Zune Marketplace was Microsoft’s alternative to Apple’s iPod, and although it has a few downsides for normal iPod users, it has undergone great reviews.

I did a Google search for “iPod command of market” and got back quite a few articles. Here are the titles of a few – “Minority Report: the death of the iPod,” “Mac sales: revisitng iPod’s ‘halo effect,’” and “Opinion: Why Microsoft’s Zune scares Apple to the core.” The five reasons that author Mike Elgan gives as to why Microsoft’s Zune scares Apple to the core are:

1. Microsoft is hatching a consumer media "perfect storm."
2. The Zune is social and viral.
3. Zune may have more programming.
4. Zune’s screen is better for movies.
5. Zune is actually pretty cool.

Despite the primitive nature of the final reason, Elgan does provide compelling arguments for his opinions. You can read the entire article here if you’re so inclined: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=printArticleBasic&articleId=9003718

Until a company breaks iPod’s hold on the market, though, we are pretty much as consumers, slaves to their reign, unless we actively choose to buy something different.

 

Despite My Ignorance… I Love Photoshop!

March 18, 2008 by Stephanie L. Grant

I have a Windows computer, a Dell, that my boyfriend, a web and graphic designer with two Macs AND a PC makes fun of me for using. I keep telling him, “It’s not my fault!” Every time I try to use or even navigate his Mac Pro, I end up frustrated and depressed that I can’t work a Mac, but it’s not for a lack of trying, I can tell you that! After many failed attempts, I thought up a new method. If I can’t make the Mac work for me, I’ll use my PC to run traditional Mac programs such as Photoshop. That way, I can use an interface I’m familiar with to do things my boyfriend does on his Mac.

I had my aunt send me her older version of Photoshop that she was no longer using and installed it on my computer. I’ve had it for about a week and a half, but yesterday was the first time I got to try Photoshop out and play around with it.

For someone without a design or print background, programs like Photoshop and InDesign seem very counterintuitive to me. I also know that at the University of Florida, Photoshop is a two-semester course consisting of Parts I and II. I’m pretty much resigned to my fate…

Last night, procrastinating from a paper I should have been writing, I decided it was a perfect time to try my hand at Photoshop. Despite my ignorance, once you get into actually manipulating an image, Photoshop is actually a very relaxing experience. I chose a random image from my modeling photos and decided I would begin with that one. I find that I learn best via trial and error. I’m not satisfied with being told because I want to discover how to do it by myself! I’m very much a two year old child in that respect.

But back to Photoshop. To start on my image, first I cropped it. Next I decided to knock out the background so that I could eliminate stray hairs and tighten the image up. Apparently when I’m done erasing the background (making it transparent) I will fill in the background with a new color. These things that I’m doing are the most basic of the basic, but it works for me. There’s something powerful about manipulating and changing what should be a static image. It’s very… invigorating.

I will end this post with my goals for the summer:

1. Become proficient in Photoshop
2. Learn to speak, read, and write Russian (God bless Pimsleur!)
3. Learn to code my own website
4. Learn and memorize Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
5. Become the most in-demand model in the Washington, DC metro area

AND FINALLY

6. Learn to draw and begin designing a line of clothing.

Wish me luck!!!

****UPDATE****

The Photoshop image I was working on turned out really shittily. I knocked out the background and cleaned it up really well, but when I put it up against black, I met my maker.

PS: Check out this video.