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Using an iPod is easy once you know how. Follow the tips in this article and you’ll be uploading music (games, videos, audiobooks, podcasts) like an expert.

1) Load the music files onto your computer

Most of us start out with our iPods by loading up the CDs we’ve collected over the years, so let’s start there. Copy the files from your CDs onto your computer’s hard disk so it’ll be available to your iPod manager. Note: If you use iTunes and have “Copy files to iTunes music folder” selected, you can skip copying the files to the PC — just having the CD in your computer’s CD drive will be enough.

2) Import the music into your iPod manager

You’ll use an “iPod manager” application to handle moving files to and from the iPod. Apple’s free iTunes software is the iPod manager most of us use. You’re welcome to look at the other options — Wikipedia has a pretty good list. If you’re new to iPods I suggest you start with iTunes. Once you know what you do and don’t like about iTunes you’ll be in a better position to decide whether you want to look for a different iPod manager.

By the way, using iTunes to manage iPod files does NOT keep you from buying music from other companies — I buy music downloads from three different vendors but use iTunes to move them back and for from my iPod.

If you like to be able to find all your iPod music in one location on your computer, set up iTunes to copy all files into the library location. It’s an easy configuration: choose Edit, Preferences, Advanced from the menu and click the “Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library.” This is handy if you’re going to pull music from CDs — let iTunes manage copying the files off the CD for you.

Okay, you’re ready to import the music to iTunes. There’s several ways to import, but the most common is to click (from the top menu) File, Add Folder to Library, and find and select the directory that contains your music. Click the “OK” button to add the music to the library’s music list. You can also use the Control + O keys and select single files to add.

3) Connect your PC and your nano

If your iPod isn’t already connected, get your USB cable (came with your iPod) out and connect the computer and iPod. The left-hand menu should show your iPod when it’s successfully connected.

Now, decide if you want to let iTunes handle synchronizing with your iPod or if you want to handle things manually. I like the “manually manage” approach — it lets me decide which files to move to my nano. It also lets me synch up different computers to just one iPod.

4) Finally! Start uploading music to your nano

Are you going to let iTunes manage the uploads? If so, you’re ready to start. Click your iPod’s icon, select “Sync” in the lower right corner, and iTunes handles the rest.

If you want to manage uploading manually, click your iPod’s icon, select the “Manually manage music and videos” checkbox on the iTunes screen. (Don’t worry, this is a one-time setup step — you won’t have to do it again.) Now all you have to do is select the music (or play lists) you want from your iTunes library and drag it onto the iPod icon.

5) Last step: Eject your iPod before disconnecting

Eject from iTunes by clicking the button at bottom right of the screen. THEN disconnect from your computer.

6) Find more cool stuff!

Okay, you know how to upload music to your nano. Go forth and find more cool games, videos, books, or music for your iPod. See my web site for suggestions of where to find great downloads for reasonable prices.

Last 5 posts by Lydia Vaughn

• iPod Tips: Play the iPod on Your Computer's Speakers - May 23rd, 2008
• Who Created the iPod nao: A Quick Review - May 20th, 2008
• Choosing iPod nano Holders: Quick Tips - May 19th, 2008
• How to Find Designer iPod nano Cases - May 16th, 2008

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