Thanks for all the advice on this thread.

Report on trip #1 with the iPod

Regarding battery life:

First of all, I did everything "wrong." I loaded it up with large files so that my classical music will play well on a good home stereo system. I used the backlight. I changed selections whenever I felt like it. I set EQ's to settings other than "flat." All these things are supposed to consume more power.

The damn thing would not die! It played about 10 hours through lounge, 4 hour flight, taxi ride, 2 hours setting up my extended stay accomodations. Finally, I gave up, and went to bed putting it in the dock for re-charging.

So far, so good on that count. Next month it's trans contintental and transatlantic and I see how that goes.

As to the rest, I confess I have "fallen in love with it" in a way I woulud have scoffed at a few months ago. I like gadgets and depend on technology to support my work when on the road, but this this is just very slick.

Best wishes,

Teacher49