disk access

Apr 27 2009

Turn your Old iPod into a Disaster-Evading Escape Pod

Disasters can happen without warning (and I’m not just talking about hard drive crash). Its easy to assume that your technology is a loss once the power is out, but as we’ll see in this tutorial your iPod could save the day.

DISCLAIMER: We here at MacMerc don’t pretent to be experts in emergency preparedness or first aid. This tutorial is intended to inform you as to a potential use of your iPod that may help you in an emergency. We’re not responsible for loss of data, life or limb. Use your good judgement and advice from experts!

What we’re going to do:

We are going to load up your old iPod with essential data you may need in an emergency. To keep your escape pod usefull, we’ll automate update process.

What you need:

Step 1: Stashing important data

Using a hard drive-based iPod with disk access enabled gives us gigs of room to use to back up essential data you want to preserve in an emergency. The iPod’s size makes it an ideal grab-and-go item, so lets load it up with files we will need and can’t replace. This will be different for everyone, but here are some ideas:

  • Scanned documents like birth certificates
  • Account identification and serial numbers
  • Insurance information including photos/video
  • Photos and other non-replacable files from your Mar

To keep this supply fresh, create an AppleScript folder action or Automator action that copies important files to your iPod.

Step 2: iPod-readable info

Your iPod is more than a dumb-drive. Depending on the model, its a text reader, audio player, contacts browser, photo viewer and movie player. Consider syning the following data to your iPod for use on your iPod in an emergency:

If you device to keep your escape pod connected to your Mac, use iTunes to keep this data up-to-date.

Step 3:Putting it all together

You may want to keep your escape pod plugged in to your Mac to make it easy to keep the content fresh. You may also decide to stash your iPod somewhere safe in a shock-proof/water-proof container. Either way, do your best to make sure it is both accessible in an emergency and protected from thieves and the elements.

Battery boosters listed above will keep your pod alive. Consider whether to go with a Lithium Ion rechargeable that must be continuously charged or a non-rechargable battery powered one that can be stored longer.

Conclusion

Create a reminder every few months in iCal to check and update your escape pod. Since old cell phones can still dial 911, store one of those with your pod too. Now when disaster strikes you will be armed with information you need. Not to mention an odd-shaped flashlight.

Brian

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Jan 10 2007

wiDock Wireless iPod Dock from silex

There is no shortage of iPod accessories out there – including every kind of dock you can think of. Yes, I’m thinking of the toilet paper holder. None of these are much more than a repackaged USB connector.

The wiDock from silex technology snips the wires on the iPod dock, and lets your iPod run as far as your wifi stretches. And, in case you were wondering what to do with your newly freed iPod, the wiDock also sports AV connectors bridging the gap between your ‘pod and your entertainment system.

Wireless Sync Comes to the iPod

Like I said, there are all kinds of docks that have one thing in common – the cord. The wiDock is more than a cord and stand. It’s actually a fully autonomous member of your wireless network. The device accepts all iPods with a dock connector. Once docked, the unit charges the iPod until the sync button is pressed. It then finds the Mac designated to sync with the iPod, and initiates a sync – as if it were connected directly. That means with disk access enabled, your iPod even mounts on the Mac.

widockbrowser wiDock Wireless iPod Dock from silex

Setup is pretty easy, much like adding any kind of wireless device to your network. Connect it directly to your Mac’s Ethernet port and configure your wireless settings (like SSID and encryption). This is all done with an installer application, but you can also access these settings through browser-based settings. Once the device has been set up and has joined your wifi network, the web interface (run off the device’s built-in web server) will show you status information, allow you to change settings and set up additional computers and iPods.

The More the Merrier

Yes, that’s iPods plural. the wiDock will match up multiple iPods with multiple Macs of PCs in a one-to-one sync relationship. So you can use one dock with multiple iPods and multiple computers. Pretty intelligent for a dock eh?

Syncing isn’t nearly as slow as I expected it to be. The initial connection sometimes takes a while, but once connected syncing is not much slower than wired. Large files or lots of files will drag the transfer, so you’ll still want to use your wired connector to initially fill your iPod.

widock wiDock Wireless iPod Dock from silex

If you put your geek hat on, you can really appreciate what these guys have done. The dock recognizes iPods, correctly matches them with Macs on the network and initiates a sync as if the iPod were physically attached to the Mac. It uses your 802.11 network and Windows file sharing (to identify your computer) to do this, so conceivably you could VPN to your home network and sync your iPod remotely from anywhere in the world. This is NOT supported by me or them, but isn’t that cool? Okay, done with the geek stuff.

Move your Music (and more) to the Living Room

The fun doesn’t stop there. The dock also comes ready to plug right in to your stereo or TV. Via RCA stereo connectors, you can plug into you audio equipment. You can also watch slideshows and video using the S-Video port. What about control? They thought of that too: the wiDock works with your Apple IR remote. With no additional hardware you can relocate your iPod to your entertainment center and sync back to your Mac.

Now, I would have preferred RCA component video to S-Video. And a digital output would have been even better. And, since this is a cross-platform solution they had to go with Windows network identification. I can’t help but wonder if syncing would happen faster via a Bonjour service. The client application that runs on the Mac could be better integrated into the OS, instead of a clunky full-sized window. But these are polish issues, not function issues.

Functionally, the wiDock does something I wouldn’t have expected to ever work this well. It is one of the most creative iPod solutions I’ve seen. I’d have liked to see it more Mac-snazzy, but you can’t argue with something that works well and does something no one else has figured out yet.

If you are looking for a remote sync solution, you’ll be happy with this. It will work without too much setup, and open up new possibilities. Most important it will keep your iPod connected to your Mac and get your media where it belongs: plugged in to your entertainment system.

Pick it up at Amazon

Brian

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