[TAG] A 2 Cent Tip for Using an Iriver IFP-890 MP3 Player on Linux

[Mike Orr]

Regarding iRiver, I think I read recently this week they're moving
away from open hardware and flashable firmware.  Which doesn't matter
if you already have a "good" model but bodes ill for the long term.  I
searched on Slashdot but couldn't find the article.

For entertainment, I still look at the music players whenever I happen
to see a display, to see what formats they support.  The ones at
Costco now are MP3, WMA, and Secure WMA.  Like, I want to listen to a
Secure WMA song about as much as I want a hole in the head.  (No, Ben,
put down that crowbar.)

In another luddite rant about the changing technology landscape, can
somebody tell me what kind of crack these VoIP providers are smoking? 
A friend in the UK today asked me to phone him.  To avoid the 50c/min
my cell provider (Cingular) charges, I normally go to dialpad.com and
get a virtual calling card when I want to call overseas.  3c/min to UK
landline, 25c/min to UK mobile.  Only... they don't have calling cards
any more.  Instead they have a VoIP service which costs... exactly the
same.  So I'd have to set up the software just for the privilege of
paying the same amount, unless they happen to have VoIP too, and I
can't call them when I'm walking to the bus (which is when I usually
call people).  I finally just had him call me instead.

--
Mike Orr <sluggoster at gmail.com>
(mso at oz.net address is semi-reliable)