The light goes on!

Rich Pav General

Are people using the Safari browser the ones who get an error message when trying to post a comment?

Update: Nope, that’s not it. Could someone who can’t post a comment please save this debug page as HTML and e-mail it to me?

I’m getting real tired of this.

In other news, I went to the Apple Shibuya Store last night and bled all over the Genius Bar. I was trying to crack open my junky old retro-cool 1G iPod with a stick of plastic and sliced my knuckle. Did you know that if your iPod refuses to recharge, removing then re-attaching the battery often fixes it? The Genius didn’t. He was quite impressed. Got the drive reformatted, now for the first time in many months I have a working iPod.

While waiting 1 1/2 hrs. for my turn I subscribed a few iBooks to HFJ and saved some videos to their desktops, but they probably clean them out every night. I also did a lot of drooling over Garageband and iMovie. They’re nice, but not worth the overpriced hardware they run on.

Rich Pav

Richard has been living in Japan since 1990 with his wife and two teenage sons, Tony and Andy.

15 thoughts to “The light goes on!”

  4. I agree with the overpriced hardware. BTW, the Ipod is “officially” limited to one computer, one ipod. However in Windows, there is a way around that if you just want to transfer files. I’ll dig up the pdf if you are interested.

    1. Funny you should mention that, I was just downloading a few freeware alternates to iTunes from versiontracker.com. But I also just remembered I have to install MacDrive on this PC first.

  5. just do this for PC instead. You will be able to move files and whatever else you want with this plugin. Some computer science genius made it because he believes people should be allowed to do what they want with their music:
    get winamp:
    http://www.winamp.com/
    and then install this plugin:
    http://www.mlipod.com/
    then get used to winamp instead of crapola itunes that wants to control every freaking thing in your life.

    1. There’s more I like about iTunes (the program) than dislike. Or maybe I’m just used to it. I’ll give the WinAmp plugin a try.

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

  7. No. But looks like it does now. Great.

    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.

    1. Between the time you couldn’t post a comment and now, did something change? Different computer, network or browser?

      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.

      1. I don’t know what I did different but now it’s
        working. I’m pretty sure nothing changed but I’ll tell
        you if i figure anything out.

        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… ?

  8. Rich Pav, you kick rear. Thanks for the great content. As a American trying to learn Japanese, you provide the most down to earth and fun information regarding culture and life. Kudos

    1. Thank you, that’s the kind of feedback that makes me want to do more.

      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.

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