www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Geek Hall Audiobooks

Just bought myself an Ipod to put some books on. I thought I was more likely to listen to a book than actually read one. Seeing this theme here got me going and I bought mine this morning. Now I have to work out how to drive the thing and how to download books etc etc.

Pavel,
не проблема...
Step 1 of iPod: install itunes. (download from apple. Since the CD will be out of date, you'll wind up downloading it from apple anyway, so save the install time.)
Step 2: get the audiobook CD's
Step 3: with iTunes running, "Import CD"
step 4: in library, select the newly imported tracks.
Step 4.1: file menu -> make new playlist from selection
step 5: plug in iPod, let charge, then sync from within iTune; all your playlists (unless you turn them off) get moved into the iPod.
step 5.1: when done, hit eject ipod. wait for permission, and then unplug the ipod.

Pavel,

Are you downloading from CD or an online service? If an online service follow the directions from the service. If by CD as aramis has posted. There are two different ways of doing it depending on how you are obtaining the audiobooks and loading them onto your iPod.

The two services I looked at amazon and audible do their downloads through a small software manager (for PC only) directly into your iTunes. You then configure your iPod for the loading of the audiobook, and varies depending on the iPod model through iTunes. Generally, I do it by choosing the option "Install checked songs or items" (worded similarly) when the iPod is plugged into the computer and is ready for download.

You can also obtain audiobooks online through the iTunes store (which I found slightly more expensive) and a few other places. You would just have to google for the various online services.

Also make sure your iTunes software along with the iPod software is up to date. Your iTunes manager for the iPod should check for that automatically.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

I bought the whole radio series of Lone Ranger for MP3 format. =)

I have never really gotten the audio books bug. I have a degree in Computer Science and teach computer technology to K through 8th graders, so I am not anti-technology. But sometimes, silence really is golden.

Agreed Charles - but taking a stack of books on my iPod is easier when going away than taking the same number of 'physical' books

I'll see how I feel about audio books after my few days away in July

Precisely! That is why I looked into this. A couple ounces that an iPod or MP3 Player weighs as opposed to the weight of as many books (6 nice ones) makes a lot of difference not to mention the bulk, when you have to lug them around with you for a couple weeks along with the rest of your luggage.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

I have found that it relieves the pain of traffic; though I currently lack the technology right now, I look forward to when I have an iPod or similar device hooked up to my car audio.

if your car stereo has a cassette player, several companies make adapters. Bose makes an excellent one. Wife and I each have one.

It has a CD player. I would either need a new stereo or a technician to split some wires hook in an adapter.

Right now I don't even have an MP3 player. I had a player but its flash drive corrupted on me and, as it was where the software was stored, the device became useless.

Terry

Terry,

Foolish question, but doesn't the software from either your computer or via a download from the manufacturer's website have a "restore" feature to bring the player back to its original state by reformatting the drive and reinstalling the software? This is generally managed from your computer and not the MP3 player. I know both the iPod I have along with the Zen Mozaic have it. You might want to look into it. It might save you a few $$$.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

My niece came over and fixed her poor uncle's Ipod for him (God bless her). I was subscribed to certain podcasts and some Italian language lessons were loaded down for me to listen to. It is my intention to put the odd book there as well. The next thing I need to do is remember to take the blast thing with me, so it is not left at home all day.

Father Anthony,

The restore feature seems to be dependent on a functioning solid state hard drive. I don't know precisely why it messed up, but it was while I was transferring several large audio books (Dune, I think, and several others).

Since the memory was integrated with the circuit board, I figured that I lacked the equipment to simply replace it. In addition to that the factory warranty had expired by the time I went to fix it.

I have already disposed of the player, so it's only a matter of gathering the money to buy a new one. I may look into one that's about $50.00 this time. I had a 2 GB Samsung Sansa. I liked it for its recording function. I had it when I was practicing singing my vowels to try to hone my voice--something I've not worked on since.

I wish that the restore worked. I would probably still have the player.

Terry

Well - I really did go and do it properly

I had a wee iPod but suddenly realised that I would have problems with my little 1GB shuffle - in as much as there is no menu available on it . Sooooooo I went and invested in a 4th Gen 8GB iPod Nano [ and that made me go and get a wee case to protect it ]


I've now been listening to my Books via the iPod. Downloading them has been as simple as pie - yup I , the technophobe , can do it without problems . My iPod is set to do everything manually , makes life easier since I have more stuff than will fit on the Nano .

OK Back to the books - I use Audible . They are well done and give you the chance to set the speech speed to suit yourself . I have found that male readers , for me are easier than female readers.

The readers are very professional - delivery is really good - no splutters , no hesitations , no annoying little mannerisms .

I've had several hours of listening to my books - it's easier than carrying books on a train , and I've been on one of those far too often recently I actually have listened to about 16 hours of books over the last 10 days - 2 four hour train journeys and 2 two hour ones , and some listening at other times too.

I find the chapter set up on long books is a bit irritating - as well as the actual Book Chapters , they also break them down further . However if I just switch off my iPod the next time I turn it on it just automatically resumes from where I had shut it down - as you would do reading conventionally

I'm hooked on this system . For me it's great

Fr Anthony - thanks for opening my eyes to this

I am actually considering getting an MP3 player. It won't be an Apple product. I hate the thought of being wed to that granola-munching, tree-hugging company. From a practical standpoint, the iPods don't seem to have FM radios, and I do enjoy listening to the excellent NPR programing while walking. But audio books could take many days to finish, since my listening time is very short. I am not interested in playing videos since I don't have the time to watch them, and those screens are way too small for my aging eyes.