There are many types of mp3 and portable music players available, but anyone who walks down a busy city street at rush hour can tell you that the iPod has become the most ubiquitous. A decade after its initial launch, iTunes now comes standard on many computers or is one of the first programs users download to accommodate their music collection. Aside from the ability to carry your favorite songs with you wherever you go, many iPod owners don’t realize just how functional this gadget can be.
While iPods can store a large number of music files, they can also provide a more general level of portable file storage. You can use your iPod to save and transport valuable computer files, documents, software, and more. As each new generation of mp3 players tend to have larger memory capacity, this is a viable option not only for portable storage but as an external drive.
1. Connect your iPod to your computer. This should be straight-forward if you’ve owned the device for awhile. If you have just purchased the player, follow the instructions enclosed in the packaging to ensure it is ready for use.
2. Once the iTunes program is open and running, select the iPod icon in the Source pane and click the tab labeled “Summary.”
3. Select either “Enable disk use” or “Manually manage music and videos.” Both of these options will allow you to use your iPod as a disk. However, be aware that choosing “Manually manage music and videos” will stop your iPod from automatically syncing with iTunes.
3. Drag files into iPod disk folder. Once you have changed your iPod settings, your iPod will appear as a disk either on your desktop or in your “My Computer” folder. Open this folder and drag files into it to store them on your iPod.
Reminder: Always eject your iPod from your computer before disconnecting. There is an eject function within iTunes, or you can right click on the disk icon and select to eject manually. Remembering to eject your iPod is particularly important when using your iPod as a storage device.
