An iPod system for Linux - Part 6 - The end-user instructions
15 October 2006
Introduction
In the previous posts in this series, we have looked at setting the system up. Now I want to create instructions that a non-technical user can use, even a beautiful blonde scandinavian female that does not speak English as her first language. This is a work in progress, therefore, if you have improvements then please let me know using the comments facility below.
If you want to set this system up for your loved one then I would suggest that you follow me and create three chunky desktop shortcuts:
- `.. image:: http://commandline.org.uk/images/posts/ipod/ipodsystem.png
-
alt: The desktop shortcuts
`_
I have also made the instructions below into PDF format. I will try to update the PDF and the version number if I update this post, so here is PDF version 0.1.
**Getting the songs from CD **
- Put the CD in the drive.
(If the CD plays automatically then you can close that if you do not want to hear it).
- Open "Sound Juicer"
(If you do not want all the songs then untick all the ones that you do not want).
Click "Extract".
- Wait a little while, say 1-5 minutes, depending on how new/old your
computer is. Ignore, the "estimated time left" as this is more or less meaningless.
- It will pop-up and tell you when it is done, press close to clear the
message.
You have completed this step. If you want to do more then put a new CD in the drive and go to step 3 above, if not then quit the program.
Adding the songs to gtkpod music library
Open "gtkpod".
- In the playlist on the left, click on "Local" then click on
"Proprietary".
Click on the icon called "Dirs".
Select the Band name (e.g. Texas).
Press 'Ok'.
You have completed this step. If you want to add more songs then go back to step 3 above.
Adding songs to the Ipod
- Plug in the iPod.
(Ignore the little window that pops up - you can close it if you want).
- Open "gtkpod".
- Find the songs that you want in the library.
- Drag the songs into the iPod folder.
- Save changes.
You have completed this step. If you want to add more songs then go back to step 3 above.
Safely Removing the iPod
Click 'Eject iPod'.
Enter the password.
- Look on the iPod screen, the "Do not disconnect" message should have
gone.
- Squeeze the two little buttons on the edge of the iPod connector and
CAREFULLY remove the iPod connector.



1 Newt says...
Nice article; just found it. iPod support is becoming an important issue when evangelizing Linux to co-workers and friends.
As such, I'd love to have a copy of your instructions above. The "PDF version 0.1" link, however,doesn't work.
Any chance of an update or correction?
Thanks, and best regards. N.
Posted at 1:26 a.m. on December 9, 2007
2 Zeth says...
Hi Newt,
Sorry about the dead link, I have fixed it now (it was due to when I moved my blog away from Wordpress).
Also check out my post on rockbox, I am still using it 9 months on. Also Rhythmbox has come on a lot, I haven't used it with my ipod but it might be worth checking out.
Posted at 12:35 p.m. on December 9, 2007