I don't think I'm desperately seeking the iPod Shuffle, but it is calling to me. The Shuffle that Bill the sales rep at the Apple Store had feels very light, and the placement of the controls is intuitive. Interesting to hear was the fact that you can't just drag MP3 files into the root of the drive directory to play them. The files have to be loaded through iTunes. I imagine someone will create Windows and Mac loader utilities that I can store on the drive. My justification to have a Shuffle is that as long as I'm carrying a large USB flash drive, I might as well spend $30 more for something that plays music too. Bill says they got a few Shuffles in last week which sold in an hour. Another shipment is coming this week.

- mike lee - towson, md