SDS

when my sump pump turns on - I get a brief popping noise in my speakers. I'm wondering if it is more likely that my speaker wires are picking it up or if it an electrical spike going into my receiver and then to my speakers....

Geez, now you are requiring higher level math skills to answer polls?

it would work until they asked you to dial in....

That may be true for you, but I wonder if you analyzed how you actually use a small capacity device in day to day activity if you wouldn't realize that you hardly used the display on such a limited number of songs. Plus, the shuffle has a form factor like the common usb key drive that these other flash drive players don't have. So, you need a cable to transfer data between computers with other players. Personally, since I carry a dell usb drive w/ me at work - I would prefer the option to swap that out with a unit that has 100 songs, is mac/pc agnostic, has a headphone jack and control wheel, than have a display that gets used maybe 0.5% of the time. Music when stuck in the lab, plus an easy way to get some data out on non-networked machines. The wife won't miss a display while running on the treadmill either. Seriously, if you manage your songs with iTunes - you shouldn't have any dogs on the player anyway and if order was important - you could easily make a playlist. Do you really EVER listen to a song - then hunt for a new one with display - listen to it - then repeat, ad nausem? Who does that?

here is a good review... much of the value is how it interacts w/ iTunes: http://playlistmag.com/weblogs/todayatplaylist/

Flash-based players could be compared to watches. Do you remember when they started loading watches will all sorts of features back in the 80's? It was neat until most people realized they only wanted to know the time...

HAHAHA! Whatever. Desperate times call for desperate words.

Well, best needs to be defined - these threads usually end up being about obscure favorite bands of each poster. I think a reasonable definition would be airplay of a large portion of the album (commercial acceptance), but also standing the test of time (a measure of quality). For that, it is hard to argue against Boston or Van Halen. Hell, I think there are still entire radio stations that put on Boston's 1st and just let it play over and over (WCMF). One other band that hit it out of the park with their debut was Bad Company....

a good crushing football tackle is my second choice, but it has to be a blind-sided hit. I just want to say something like, "Ron caught up with me in the hall..." and then flip to the this slide...

that's the best one so far.... I'm hoping for one that has a side, rather than front view, of the chase, but I'll keep that one in my back pocket if another one doesn't pop up. Thanks!

I was tagged by my boss to give a presentation for a monthly meeting and I would like to make a brief joke as to how I was selected to give this talk.... I have been looking on google for lion/tiger/cheetah pics that are hunting down an antelope, etc... but have been unsuccessful. Does anyone know of a good source for a "chase scene" or know of a good picture somewhere that would convey the sentiment that I was hunted down for this task?

for the record - let's just correct some facts... The facts surrounding your player don't pertain to today's reality. A Dell DJ20, ugly as sin, costs $250 - NOT $150 (although they are running a 10% sale now). Similar 10% off deals can be found on Amazon for the iPod from time to time. Your 12 hour battery life is now the same as the iPod. When you bought yours it was probably only 8 hours for the iPod. There is no 20 hour player listed at Dell. So what you have is a unit that is 23% heavier, 32% more volumonous, that has the same battery life, fewer accessories, a poorer interface, a smaller user community, and is ugly as sin - for a $50 discount.... Wow, where did I go wrong! As for your "compliments" of the iPod - please. Many of them are backhanded compliments that are then either dismissed out of hand or they are followed up with "it's all marketing". If you are happy with your music solution then fine, but to refuse to give the iTunes/music store/ipod/ipod mini/ipod shuffle/after market accessory solution its well-earned credit for being VERY nice is a disservice to the people you are giving advice to.

How come you only choose to present decent arguments when it supports your POV? For as well as you argue the merits for DTV - many of the same arguments that can be made for Apple's products are dismissed out of hand. The iPod can be charged via USB and you can get an 80% charge via firewire in an hour. You keep talking battery life, but you fail to mention your unit is heavier. Hell, Apple can hook this up to a car battery if it was so important. Then it could play for years!!! Apple choose lighter with less battery life. Dell choose heavier with more. Also, you keep talking about marketing, but dollar for dollar - the best marketing Apple has are iPod owners recommending the product to their friends. No way does Apple start, grow, and sustain their dominance in this market selling an inferior SOLUTION at higher prices. This is not scaring IT managers in accepting windows because of hardware replacements, incompatibility w/ customers, etc... This is just music in a young market. Perhaps Apple has a GREAT solution backed by GREAT marketing and SATISFIED customers??? That never seems to enter your discussion. What I hear is: Dell is cheaper... BFD. As for the iPod Shuffle - again, I doubt any of the closed-minded nay-sayers in this thread gave the product a second of thought. Of course it doesn't appeal to you - you turn your nose up at all of Apple's offerings and in particular - their line of music delivery solutions. This new unit is an ACCESSORY to that solution. Why would an accessory appeal to you if you have rejected the heart and soul of their product line? Why does TiVo have the best PVR? A TiVo is only a hard disk, some video ports and a few chips. Don't talk to me about usability, interface, or any of that jazz because you have already rejected such features as unworthy of consideration in your purchasing decision. And lastly, you keep ignoring the huge after-market iPod has. From websites, to gear, to software.... there is value there and you don't bring it up because it isn't suiting your argument at this time.

these arguments are weak. I can use market share in this instance. Apple does not have an installed base in MP3 players, nor even the overwhelming platform of choice to rip your music. The fact that Windows DOES have 95% of the OS market - and Apple is now dominating a segment and a user-base that - all things being equal - they should have no business dominating is evidence of a better product. They have emerged from the pack depsite having none of the inherent advantages. However, things are NOT equal and that is why they are successful. They are putting out a better product from start to finish and people are willing to pay more for a better solution. Again, you can blow off "cosmetic differences" all day long - but excuse those of us who value style and design in their gear. My iPod-mini is BEAUTIFUL with a solid aluminum case that has no seams along the sides. There is value in the engineering. There is value in the design. There is value in the interface. There is value in the integration. There is value in the after-market add-ons. There is value in the end-to-end solution that Apple is providing music lovers and data movers of the world. A car gets you from point A to point B. KIA reference aside, I doubt a Camry is the least expensive car in TCO. So far the only thing I hear from you is Dell=cheap. Well, "cheap" isn't the end all of every purchasing decision.

I didn't see that link... I guess I fail to see why people jump to criticise a new product that hasn't even been test driven yet.

and which would be better to wear around your neck while running on a treadmill? My wife will love this. She only wants to have one for exercising...

http://www.apple.com/hardware/gallery/ipod...an2005_480.html to see a spinning view

http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/ in case you want to actually see it. How in God's green Earth do you know you like something better if you haven't even seen a picture of it? Or put it in your hands to feel the quality (or lack of). There is no problem in liking what you have, but criticizing Apple for doing market research and seeing how people actually use their flash players and putting out what they feel is a better product is silly. Would you like to place a bet on Apple's market share of flash based players in the future?

You know, perhaps you should look at why Apple has 70% of the market with higher prices than their competitors? Perhaps there is some additional value there? Windows users are buying them by the handfuls. Every time someone mentions the iPod - you jump on it with criticisms. I read you drive a Camry. Was that the cheapest car you could find? Couldn't you have purchased a KIA? I mean afterall - a car is only 4 wheels, an engine, and a couple of seats wrapped in sheet metal... Apparently, price isn't the end all of everything you buy - why should it be the end of MP3 players? The tight integration with iTunes, the music store, the players, the gorgeous designs, the COUNTLESS after market products, the integration into automobiles all have significant value to - well 70% of the marketplace and it shouldn't be dismissed at every single opportunity.

No offense, but I shall be going on a rant that will include most of my Bills brothers in this thread.... Your criticism is unfounded. Were you at MWSF? Did you read the reports from there? I'm guessing no... Flash-based players had 62% of the market in 2003 - the iPod mini reduced that to 29%. Now, Apple has targeted the remaining 29% who see a value in extremely small devices. They DID NOT claim to reinvent the wheel. They ARE expanding their product line to appeal to users who have different needs. Considering Apple is kicking the absolute SNOT out of every single competitor in this area - with higher prices - maybe pausing to actually evaluate their new product would be worthwhile.

http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showtopic=12869

again... if Ralph wanted money he could have just sold the Bills or moved them and received WAAAAY more than $11M.... Flutie saved nothing.

Ralph wasn't going to move this team for a paltry $11M in extra seat revenue... He is a business man who extracted more money from the fan base using his built in hammer. Nothing more, nothing less.

Thanks - I think it help up pretty well too.... There was a shaky 10 minutes or so on Sunday, but beyond that I think it went well. Our traffic was 50% higher than at any point this season so far. There is still a lot more to do, but I'm glad we got through a big game w/ little difficulty.