Convert your old iPod Shuffle to a regular (drag and drop) MP3 player

Today,  I want to see if there is a way to convert my newly found iPod Shuffle  to a plain MP3 player. The idea is just to plug it in the USB port as mass storage;  drag MP3 files in to it.

I found a great free solution called Rebuild_db, This little gem allows:

• You don’t need iTunes anymore. Simply copy some MP3 files into the iPod volume and start this teensy 8k program.
• You aren’t restricted to store your music in the /iPod_Control/Music subdirectory. Build your own directory and filename structure. Your iPod, your rules!
• You may use the iPod on as many computers as you want.
• The actual iTunes database is left untouched, your iPod should still work with iTunes, if you like. (Note that this wasn’t true for me; my iTunes installation now refuses any co-operation with my iPod. But I’m pretty sure that this is due to my experimentation with the iTunes database, and not a side-effect of using rebuild_db.)
• If you do not use the iPod_Control folder for your music, iTunes will not delete your files again without asking.
• rebuild_db uses a quite sophisticated shuffle algorithm (»smart shuffle«) that arranges your tracks in a more uniform way.

You can read the instructions HERE. Don’t be overwhelmed with the technical jargons. It is actually quite simple. I am using the Python script, but others use the plain C Windows script.

In another hand, if you are a fan of iTunes and want iTunes to manage your MP3 player. Read HERE! 

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