Apple Training Series: iLife 06

If you don't have an iPod, skip this part. Or go get one.

It's true, an iPod is just a glossy little hard drive that's well suited for storing, accessing, and (of course) playing music (and now, videos!). But if you talk to anyone who uses one, you'll quickly realize it's truly one of the best-designed portable tools you'll see these days. A book like this cannot describe the intense power and joy you will have when you can walk aroundor drive, or flycarrying (hang with me here) not just a few CDs, not just a Sony Discman's worth of songs, but your entire friggin' music collection in your pocket.

Plugging in your headphones and enjoying your collection privately is great, but one day you'll want to take advantage of the fact that wherever you go, you can hook up to a land-based stereo system and bring your music to a wider audience.

Christopher and the birthday party gang head out to a ceramics studio for the "big event," and he wants to bring along his iPod to hook into the studio's sound system for a private DJ experience. Since Jennifer, the studio owner, has an iPod, too (sometimes using it in the studio for special occasions), she's accustomed to this setup and is happy to help make the party as comfortable as possible.