[QCLUG] linux-rip-CD-gagdet

[Steve Langasek]

On Wed, Oct 17, 2007 at 08:40:47AM -0500, Adk wrote:

>> Are all MP3 players compatible with linux or do I need to avoid
>> certain brands?

> Most will display as a usb storage device when connected. Just click and
> drag files.

"Click and drag" doesn't work for iPods, which have an iTunes database on
them which tracks the playlists.  Linux has support for some versions of the
iPod firmware (= some database versions), but Apple keeps moving the bar.

Also, I don't know that it's true that "most" mp3 players display as a USB
storage device.  Microsoft seems to have pressured a fair number of
manufacturers into switching to MTP, so that they can exercise DRM control
over the file transfers in the OS; Linux does support MTP, but support is
certainly historically weaker than for USB mass-storage and requires
application support.

The two mp3 players I've heard the most about for Linux are the iAudio and
the iRiver.  The iAudio is a higher-end product, but seems to come with all
the bells and whistles, including ogg support and a thriving Linux user
community.  The iRiver is a lower-cost product that also supports ogg, but
most recent models have shipped MTP-only in the US.  At least for the model
I bought, it was possible to get a firmware "upgrade" for it on the Internet
that would switch it to USB mass storage; worked like a charm here, but
there are never any guarantees.

-- 
Steve Langasek                   Give me a lever long enough and a Free OS
Debian Developer                   to set it on, and I can move the world.
vorlon@debian.org                                   http://www.debian.org/