Re: iPod Shuffle: Experiences? Worth it?
The iPod is always accessed as a disk mounted natively by the OS, even by iTunes. In Disk Mode, iTunes simply keeps it visible in Finder/Explorer and makes it a requirement that you eject it when you've finished, instead of doing it for you at the end of a sync. This is actually a fairly good case for the network-based protocol (usbmuxd) now used by iOS. Hidden directories on your iPod contain the data iTunes needs, so it's not visible in the default view of Explorer or Finder (the latter requiring a command-line hack to revert, being Apple). You can't simply copy files onto the pod and expect them to play; the files must be within the hidden structures, and the databases updated.
So in summary: your worst nightmare. Not only do the psychotic, fascist bastards use USB mass storage, but they also keep it just out of reach of actually being useful.
As to iTunes, it's now a beautiful slum, rather than a music player. Every time I set it up, I'm reminded that in many ways it's sort of a monument to American corporate pathos, where everything is only just good enough because anything better would require sacrifices at the altar of capitalism. But in spite of the horrible dependency on the store and the cloud and DRM and all these secret formats and protocols, once you've configured it and overlooked the regrettable deficiencies, it does actually function as advertised, which is why I use it. But it's sure in need of replacement, for something more robust and sensible, with maybe separate apps for different kinds of media, an online store requiring little or no sync by way of the computer, no DRM so you don't need an Internet connection just to use your stuff, etc. Sadly I don't see this happening with Apple in current hands.
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