Another thing for the iCrap. So many of my customers are having issues with their iPods it is a joke. O Well

How is this "just another thing"? It's a completely seperate iPod itself.

What issues are you talking about anyways? The scratching issues? Well tough s***, quit scratching it against everything in sight and it won't happen. Problem solved.

Customers bowing USB ports when the device is plugged into the computer, spyware installing porn onto the iPod without permission, the inability to retrieve ALL data off the iPod without installing any software. These are some of the issues.

Spyware is the user's fault, nothing to do with the iPod itself.

I've yet to hear of any case of the user blowing their USB port because their iPod is plugged in.

There has never been the opportunity to retrieve every piece of data off the iPod. That's not an issue, it's just a feature request people have.

"There has never been the opportunity to retrieve every piece of data off the iPod. That's not an issue, it's just a feature request people have." This is an issue when the user drive goes bad and they want their paid songs back and apples response it to bad. With an iRiver I don't have this problem I just plug it in and get the files No Software needed. It can also be used as a USB tumb driver, something the iPod can't do.

"I've yet to hear of any case of the user blowing their USB port because their iPod is plugged in." About 40% of my customers that have iPods have had this issue. I have also had customers that had friends that had this problem and they decided not to get an iPod and have never been happier.

"Spyware is the user's fault, nothing to do with the iPod itself." This is try, but it is Apple's fault that the user can not remove the porn videos playing on the iPod without formating the whole device. Again don't have this problem with any of the plays for sure products or the creative products.

None of those issues are an iPod fault - all user faults. Perhaps you'd be better just taking the computer away from the user? :P

If is so much the user fault why doesn't any other MP3 player have this problem?

It's funny apple says the iPod seamlessly works with iTunes, but MP3 players seamlessly work on any xp or 2000 computer without any additional software.

For reference, my iRiver requires software to upload songs, and it cannot be used as a thumb drive. This is a flash-based player, though I know the HDD ones can be used as a USB drive.

iPod HDD players can be used as USB storage devices, so I'm not sure what crap you're prattling on about there.

40% of your customers blow up USB ports with their iPod? You need better training on how to plug in a USB device then, or better quality control with the PC systems you're supplying that can be shorted so easily. As a comparative figure, 0% of my customers have seen this problem.

As for your spyware argument, you might as well say "it's Microsoft's fault for creating an OS that can be infected with spyware" or "Microsoft's fault for creating a browser with some many spyware problems" or blame any or all of the antivirus and antispyware companies that have ineffective programs when it comes to spyware protection. Apple's fault? They're the last in line for blame in spyware - users are first.

Well... there are tons of freewares that u can use to solve those problems... If u don't like iTunes you can use YAMiPod, work right of the IPod, no instalation. By the way if you take a close look at the Ipod folder structure, u can basicly do anything...
Firts try an IPod, than you can complain. I myself didn't like it very much, but after getting on I can't live without it! (my wife is jealous)

"iPod HDD players can be used as USB storage devices, so I'm not sure what crap you're prattling on about there." The 20G, 30G and 40G iPod will not work without iTunes installed, I just tried it. Which iRiver are you using? A customer just showed me 2 iRivers teh Clix and the h10 both worked without any software. I also pluged in the Dell 2G mp3 player again no software needed. When I plugged in teh iPod 30G into a computer that does not have iTunes install, it asks for drivers. If I cancel it is says this device is not work correctly.

"40% of your customers blow up USB ports with their iPod? You need better training on how to plug in a USB device then, or better quality control with the PC systems you're supplying that can be shorted so easily. As a comparative figure, 0% of my customers have seen this problem." If you say they need better training why don't they have the problem when the switch to a playsforsure product?

"As for your spyware argument, you might as well say "it's Microsoft's fault for creating an OS that can be infected with spyware" or "Microsoft's fault for creating a browser with some many spyware problems" or blame any or all of the antivirus and antispyware companies that have ineffective programs when it comes to spyware protection. Apple's fault? They're the last in line for blame in spyware - users are first. "
But MSFT does not block the sytem so you can only send data to the machine and not remove it without formating like the iPod does.

Yes I can use freeware but that means I need to install a program to use/acces the iPod I don't need to install any programs when I use a creative, dell, etc. Yes you can hack the device but it does not work out of the BOX. I love the creative I can bring it to any machine transfer the songs with any software needed. I have tried this and so have my customers, that is one of many reasons why they got rid of their iPods.