Archive for the ‘Buying Guides’ Category

How to protect all your iPod tunes

April 1, 2007

iTunes: Adding song lyrics to iPod

If you like to sing along with your tunes, you can display song lyrics right on the screen of a supported iPod. This includes:

  • iPod nano

  • Fifth Generation iPod
     

Entering lyrics

  1. In iTunes 5 or later, select a favorite song.

  2. From the File menu, choose Get Info.

  3. Click Lyrics, then enter the words to the song in the text box.

  4. Click OK when finished.

  5. Copy the song to iPod.
     

 Viewing lyrics

If you’ve entered song lyrics, you can view them at any time in iTunes 5 or later. Just select the song, Get Info for the song, and then click Lyrics. If you want to view them on iPod, do this:

  1. On iPod, start playing any song to which you’ve added lyrics.

  2. Press the Center button repeatedly. The number of times depends on if you have artwork or not. Here’s the order of things when you press the Center button:

Play status > Scrubber > Album Art > Lyrics/Description > Rating

If you don’t have Album Art or Lyrics, then you’ll just see the Rating

Play status > Scrubber > Rating

Lyrics should display correctly in most languages. If they do not, try removing any special characters in the Lyrics pane in iTunes, copy the song back to iPod, and try again.

Note: Some types of files such as WAV and QuickTime files don’t support lyrics, though you can convert WAV and QuickTime files into a format that would allow you to add lyrics such as AAC or MP3.

Here’s a cautionary tale, plus some tips on how to preserve your tunes if this nightmare scenario happens to you.

Most of us essentially do just that every time we sync our
iPod using iTunes, but if you’re a power user like Weaser and you have untold thousands of songs on your iPod from multiple sources, the standard iTunes sync won’t cut it. Luckily, The Gadgets Page has compiled a thorough list of iPod backup utilities that promise to keep your music safe and sound. Even better, these apps can transfer songs from your iPod back to your PC if, say, the hard drive on your system suffers a meltdown

Just remember that these backup programs aren’t sanctioned by Apple, and that using them to rip songs from your buddy’s iPod to your PC or Mac is, of course, a no-no.

why can’t we put songs from someone else’s iPOD on our PC?

its pretty much the same as borrowing a CD from them except its on a hard drive not a standard disk. I keep my iTUNES library backed up to DVD, so if I have a crash I don’t have to recompile my whole music collection. and yes, I have let friends borrow the discs to put some songs on their computers, is that a crime?

As my friend  has found out, it is easy enough to defeat any of the rights management

software codes by just burning a CD with the protected tunes, and then ripping them back into your music library . He wasn’t trying to become a digital pirate, just get his tunes from one place to another, tunes that he had legitimately bought and paid for. I told him, operators at the Recording Industry of America are standing by to call his lawyer. But I don’t want to get off track here and turn this into a rant against copy protection

Find iPod Tunes at ShopNdeal.com

Tips for Buying Antique Furniture

January 15, 2007

Buying furniture is just like buying a piece of artwork. The first criteria is to buy something you will enjoy. And full enjoyment of your new furniture means considering your taste, your lifestyle and, of course, your budget

* Discover Antique Furniture
* Identify Antique Furniture & Reproductions
* Research Antique Furniture

Discover Antique Furniture

Before purchasing antique furniture, consider first how the pieces will match your home. If your décor is contemporary, adding an ornate Victorian object might not create the effect you want. Also, think a bit about what your style is and what design periods can help you create the look you like. Then have some fun, mixing and matching your favorite styles.

Identify Antique Furniture & Reproductions

True antique hunters search for beautifully preserved objets d’art, armed with pins, magnifying glasses, and levels. Many other home decorators aren’t as concerned about a piece’s history or authenticity, opting for quality reproductions that are more affordable. Both approaches are fine. Your challenge: making an educated decision based on what’s important to you.

Research Antique Furniture

Becoming knowledgeable about antique furniture takes research, even if you’re focusing on only one aspect of this wide-ranging subject.

Establish value: Many collectors prefer specific eras, styles, and makers, while others have more eclectic tastes. In either case, an authentic piece’s value is most influenced by its condition, rarity, and history.

Get an expert opinion: A trained eye is more likely to find an undervalued treasure (or a clever masquerade) than a novice. Stay informed about trends in the antiques market by consulting important trade publications.

Consider practical matters: Carefully review the size and weight of each antique furniture piece you consider purchasing. Shipping furniture can be a pricey proposition. To reduce these costs, search for shopndeal sellers in your region. Also, look for sellers who use blanket-wrap shipping services.

Find more Antique-Furniture Buying Guide at ShopNdeal.com

Tips for Buying Video Games

January 15, 2007

Buying video games can become an addicting process. Video game makers are in a constant battle to create the most exciting and creative games for all types of players. From action games to family games, you will be sure to find a game that will engage and challenge your creativity

Decide Between Handheld and Console Video Game Systems
Choose a Video Game Console
Discover Which Handheld Video Game System You Need

Decide Between Handheld and Console Video Game Systems

Some video game systems purely focus on gaming while others offer more sophisticated multimedia capabilities such as music and movie playback. When deciding what type of video game system to buy, consider portability, the age of gamers in the household, and multimedia features.  
Choose a Video Game Console
The latest batch of 2005 and 2006 video game consoles represent another quantum leap forward in video game graphics, online play, and functionality. Microsoft launched Xbox 360 in November 2005. Sony and Nintendo will introduce new systems in 2006, hoping to make a splash with PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution. They aim to satisfy hardcore gamers with an intense craving for cutting-edge technology, superior graphics, new peripherals, a richer online experience, more multimedia functionality than their predecessors, and advanced game play options (such as game downloads).
 
Discover Which Handheld Video Game System You Need

The newest generation of handheld video game systems includes Nintendo DS and Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). But slightly older Nintendo Game Boy Advance (released 2001) and Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP (released 2003) are still more common and have a large selection of games available at reasonable prices.

  Find more Video Games Buying Guides at ShopNdeal.com 

Baby Carriers Guides

January 15, 2007

Choosing a baby carrier can be a daunting task, especially with all the carriers Attached to Baby offers! There are many factors to keep in mind – versatility, style, comfort, ease of use… Here’s a quick guide to all the fabulous options you have to choose from. Keep your hands free, leave your bulky stroller at home, and carry your baby close to your heart with a baby carrier. From Baby Bjorn and Snugli front baby carriers to NoJo slings and Maya baby wraps, you’ll find a baby carrier on shopndeal that’s comfortable for both you and your baby. Check information from the carrier manufacturer about safe use before using any baby carrier.

Discover Baby Carriers

———————- Baby carriers come in several designs and sizes. Parents of infants generally have two primary choices: soft front baby carriers and baby slings. Hip carriers and child carrier backpacks will also work for older babies and toddlers.

Select a Soft Front Baby Carrier ——————————- Soft front baby carriers make a perfect choice for parents who want their child to sit upright against their chest. Your baby will feel supported and their weight will be centered on your body. Make sure the soft front baby carrier you choose adjusts to fit everybody who plans to wear it.

Evaluate soft front baby carrier straps ————————————— If you or your spouse is tall, purchase a carrier with extra-long straps or extendable straps designed for larger people.

More active parents need a soft front baby carrier with a waist belt. Front carriers with waist belts, such as certain models from Snugli and the Active Baby Bjorn, distribute weight more evenly across your body, relieving stress on your upper back and shoulders during long-distance walks.

Find more Baby carriers Buying Guide at ShopNdeal.com

Cell Phones Buying Guide

January 15, 2007

Buying Cell Phones can become an addicting process. Buying a cell phone is more than a matter of picking the most feature-rich or slickest-looking device.- Keep following factor in mind once you buy a cell phone :

Select a Cell Phone Service Provider

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Service providers work with specific cell phone manufacturers to produce phones that are compatible with their networks and feature offerings. On ShopNdeal, you will find phones for every major service provider. There are also phones ready to be connected with a new service plan or pre-paid phones for those who want no plan at all.

Compatibility: “Which phones does my service provider support?” If you already have a service contract with a carrier and are looking for a new phone to stay within your current plan, then you can simply search for cell phones on ShopNdeal by “service compatibility.”

The “service compatibility” search feature, available in the cell phones finder in the right hand column of this page, allows you to look at cell phone listings that sellers have listed as compatible with your current service provider. Currently, you can search by the following carriers:

Alltell, AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Nextel , Sprint PCS, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon

Evaluate Cell Phone Features

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On ShopNdeal, you’ll be able to find new and used cell phones in just about any price category. If you have basic needs for a cell phone, you may not need all the bells and whistles associated with some of the higher cost models. If cost is not an issue, you’ll find all of the latest and greatest technologies from around the world at your fingertips!

The options to consider when shopping for a cell phone are often confusing, and new features for cell phones grow day by day. To narrow your search, think about the following key questions:

Find more Cell Phones Buying Guide at ShopNdeal.com

Bass Guitars Buying Guide

January 15, 2007

Once you have planned to Buying a Bass Guitars. The first criteria is to buy something you will enjoy. And full enjoyment of your new Bass Guitars means considering your music, your lifestyle and, of course, your budget.

The electric bass guitar (also called an electric bass or a bass) is an electrically-amplified fingered (or plucked) string instrument. The bass is similar in appearance to an electric guitar, but with a larger body, a longer neck and scale length, and, usually, four strings tuned an octave lower in pitch, in the bass range

Discover Basics of Bass Guitar

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Bass guitars are simple instruments and many of them share common features.

Bass guitar body There is no industry standard body shape or design for bass guitars. An electric bass guitar has a solid body, which houses magnetic pickups. Bass guitar pickups come in two varieties: single-coil and humbucker. Single-coil pickups produce a bright, clear sound, but are susceptible to interference. Humbucker pickups aren’t as bright, but are more resistant to interference.

Magnetic pickups detect the bass guitar string’s vibrations and transfer them into an electronic pulse. This pulse is sent down a cable into an amplifier.

Features of a Quality Bass Guitar

———————————– Even if you’re a beginner, it makes sense to buy a quality bass guitar. Quality bass guitars produce a richer tone and are more resistant to damage. Plus, if you buy a quality bass guitar, it’s more likely to hold its value. You’ll get more money for a quality bass guitar if you decide to sell it later.

There are many brands of quality bass guitars, including the Gibson bass guitar, Epiphone bass guitar, Fender bass guitar, Ibanez bass guitar, Peavy bass guitar, Warwick bass guitar, and Squire bass guitar.
Find more Bass Guitars Buying Guide at ShopNdeal.com