[Helmling]

I hate...I'm using the word "hate" here the iPod security. I just lost my hard drive so when the repaired system comes back, I set about restoring the media via my iPod. In the process of trying to restore my music, though, it trashed ALL my photos!

Please keep in mind I never once told it to "Erase & Sync." All I told it to do was "Transfer Purchases." Still, my photo library is gone now.

I hate the stupid roadblocks between me and my stuff on the iPod. I know why they did it and such, but it still sucks. It's my f'ing HD and if I could just use it like one normally, then I would still have my files.

Errr...

[Big Mac]

It definitely shouldn't have done that, but it's a unfortunate lesson that you've learned - don't trust iTunes with essential files on your iPod. Next time take your files out yourself through the Finder (if you have an iPod capable of disk mode access) or with a third party app. I hope you didn't lose your only copies.

[Visnaut]

Originally Posted by Helmling 

It's my f'ing HD and if I could just use it like one normally, then I would still have my files.

If you used Time Machine, you'd still have your files.

I don't mean to be smarmy or anything, it's just that even if it's possible to source the content from an iPod as a backup, it doesn't mean it's a good idea.

I always treat and think of my iPods and iPhone as media destinations, not sources. That way, I force myself to make sure that what they're sourcing from is properly backed up. So if they're stolen or break, or worse, my HD goes tats up, I'm not left kicking and cursing.

I had to go through major data loss more than once until I finally got the idea. I hope you take this opportunity to think about and improve your backup routine.

[analogika]

Two points:

1.) No backup? No mercy. :smack:

2.) Your use of the word "fascism" in this context is inappropriate and cheapens the suffering of millions. I'm sorry about your photo holocaust.

[Helmling]

Originally Posted by Visnaut 

If you used Time Machine, you'd still have your files.

I don't mean to be smarmy or anything, it's just that even if it's possible to source the content from an iPod as a backup, it doesn't mean it's a good idea.

I always treat and think of my iPods and iPhone as media destinations, not sources. That way, I force myself to make sure that what they're sourcing from is properly backed up. So if they're stolen or break, or worse, my HD goes tats up, I'm not left kicking and cursing.

I had to go through major data loss more than once until I finally got the idea. I hope you take this opportunity to think about and improve your backup routine.

Ironically, I was upgrading to Leopard when this happened, but yes, my back-up routine was less adequate then I'd realized--plus I'm now unable to pull down my back-up files from my idisk.

[Helmling]

Originally Posted by analogika 

Two points:

1.) No backup? No mercy. :smack:

2.) Your use of the word "fascism" in this context is inappropriate and cheapens the suffering of millions. I'm sorry about your photo holocaust.

Oh, god, lighten up.

[peeb]

Never again must we allow this kind of image genocide.

[Helmling]

The lengths fanboys will go to in order to defend a thing never cease to amaze me.

[turtle777]

Is the iPod even *SUPPOSED* to restore all your photos back to iPhoto ?

I never heard that this was intended. I only knew about syncing back music.

-t

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Helmling 

The lengths fanboys will go to in order to defend a thing never cease to amaze me.

I have no idea which thread you're talking about, but it sure ain't this one.

[Drakino]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Is the iPod even *SUPPOSED* to restore all your photos back to iPhoto ?

I never heard that this was intended. I only knew about syncing back music.

Nope. Most of the time, iWhatevers that sync photos have reduced quality versions on the device, so restoring them would be pointless. Even when you tell iTunes to sync the full copies, it's still only syncing the edited full copy, so reverting photo edits would not be possible.

If you wanted to use an iPod for backing up photos, enable it for disk use, and copy your iPhoto library folder over to it. More advanced setups are also possible to sync and such with backup tools. This will not make the photos accessible on the device for viewing, but it does make a proper backup.

[Helmling]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Is the iPod even *SUPPOSED* to restore all your photos back to iPhoto ?

I never heard that this was intended. I only knew about syncing back music.

-t

What other purpose would there be for specifying that it save the full resolution images in a separate folder? That is an iTunes/iPod feature. So yes, it was completely reasonable of me to expect that my photos were safe and completely unreasonable of the iPod to summarily delete them without warning or authorization.

[Helmling]

Originally Posted by Drakino 

Nope. Most of the time, iWhatevers that sync photos have reduced quality versions on the device, so restoring them would be pointless. Even when you tell iTunes to sync the full copies, it's still only syncing the edited full copy, so reverting photo edits would not be possible.

If you wanted to use an iPod for backing up photos, enable it for disk use, and copy your iPhoto library folder over to it. More advanced setups are also possible to sync and such with backup tools. This will not make the photos accessible on the device for viewing, but it does make a proper backup.

You're mistaken. There is a checkbox to save full resolution copies of the photos in the photos folder. Considering I add photos all the time, dragging the iPhoto library into the Notes folder every day would be a bit annoying. So when iTunes offered to save them for me every time I plugged in my iPod, I gladly accepted. Most of my photos were backed up on the family computer, but some of my work images were only backed up on the iPod, so oh well, better luck with Time Machine, but it still is interesting to me the defensive reaction people have. We're customers, not cult members--we don't have to circle the wagons on Apple's behalf, folks.

Prepare to be shocked:
Apple is not perfect.

(gasp)

[turtle777]

Ok, so whoever relied on iTunes and the iPod as their main and / or only backup strategy should be prepared for trouble.
I don't see how Apple wopuld have pushed iPod picture syncing as a backup strategy. I always understood it as a means of having your pciture *with* you, not for backup purposes.

And the excuse that TM was not available for 10.4 is no excuse for lack of backup strategy either.

-t

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Ok, so whoever relied on iTunes and the iPod as their main and / or only backup strategy should be prepared for trouble.

I think anyone relaying on iTunes/iPod as their backup strategy should be doped slapped. I have a classic with gobs of space. I use that as a backup for my aperture vault. It is only one of three backup method I employ for my images and data.

iTunes/iPod is geared for listening/watching/viewing. I don't recall apple ever advertising it as a backup device, even though you could use it, doesn't mean you should.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Helmling 

What other purpose would there be for specifying that it save the full resolution images in a separate folder? That is an iTunes/iPod feature. So yes, it was completely reasonable of me to expect that my photos were safe and completely unreasonable of the iPod to summarily delete them without warning or authorization.

The iPod (it's actually part of the connotation of the name, as described by Jobs back in '01, as well) is a little device that contains an EXTRACT of your digital libraries.

It is intended to provide mobile access to your most frequently accessed/desirable content, anywhere, on the go. No more.

You know how it works with music. Why should you assume it works any differently with photos?

[Helmling]

Originally Posted by analogika 

The iPod (it's actually part of the connotation of the name, as described by Jobs back in '01, as well) is a little device that contains an EXTRACT of your digital libraries.

It is intended to provide mobile access to your most frequently accessed/desirable content, anywhere, on the go. No more.

You know how it works with music. Why should you assume it works any differently with photos?

Because it does. Read my posts, I already explained this.

Why do you feel compelled to make excuses for what is obviously a defect in the iPod interface? It should not delete data without permission--duh!

[Helmling]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Ok, so whoever relied on iTunes and the iPod as their main and / or only backup strategy should be prepared for trouble.
I don't see how Apple wopuld have pushed iPod picture syncing as a backup strategy. I always understood it as a means of having your pciture *with* you, not for backup purposes.

And the excuse that TM was not available for 10.4 is no excuse for lack of backup strategy either.

-t

Hi, I'm a broken record: Why would they have the option to save the picture in FULL RESOLUTION? You can't see a 5.0 megapixel image on an iPod, so they must intend for the data to be able to transfer. Even if they didn't--what possible excuse can there be for deleting that data without permission?

And for the record, Apple fanboys, the .Mac Back-up has also failed here. The .Mac techies can't figure out how to restore my automatic incremental back-ups from my iDisk either...fortunately--as with my pictures--almost everything else is backed up elsewhere.

The point is, and why I would have to try to convince people of this is beyond me: Apple = not perfect.

Still best option, but not perfect. Live with it.

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by Helmling 

The point is, and why I would have to try to convince people of this is beyond me: Apple = not perfect.

There not, which is why I'm not using a device outside of its advertised scope. Just because you can store hi-res images, doesn't make the device a great option to hold your backups. Unfortuntely you found out the hard way.

As I mentioned, I keep one of three of vaults one on my ipod, and two others on external drives. There's no way I'll rely on a device that I can drop/lose/stolen to be my sole backup device.

At times, I may be an apple fanboy, but I know they mess stuff up just like any other company but you cannot blame them on this one. Correct me if I'm wrong, but apple never said/advertised that you can use the ipod as a backup device. It sux to be sure but its not their fault you didn't have a recent backup other then your ipod

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Helmling 

Hi, I'm a broken record: Why would they have the option to save the picture in FULL RESOLUTION? You can't see a 5.0 megapixel image on an iPod, so they must intend for the data to be able to transfer.

Yes.
Transfer. From YOUR machine to SOMEWHERE ELSE. Exactly.
The idea is that you can have your selection of synced pictures along with you, wherever you go.

Again: It's not Apple's fault that you thought the iPod was intended as a data storage device (rather than a mobile extract of your computer's library) - when that functionality is EXPLICITLY separated from EVERYTHING iTunes does by a clear "Enable use as storage device" (or whatever it is in your language of choice) checkbox that is disabled by default.

I'm sorry you got bitten, but to tell the truth, your less than disingenous (if not idiotic) "fascism" hyperbole over your own failure to RTFM doesn't exactly garner sympathy.

[Visnaut]

Originally Posted by Helmling 

Why would they have the option to save the picture in FULL RESOLUTION?

Simple: to do whatever you would want to with a full resolution photo while you're on the go. Print it? Sure! Transfer it to another computer? Okay. Use them as a backup? Go right ahead.

The point is, it's there for your convenience. But just because Apple gives you a checkbox for a rather open-ended feature, doesn't mean that whatever you intend to do with that functionality is a good idea.

Originally Posted by Helmling 

Even if they didn't--what possible excuse can there be for deleting that data without permission?

None. However that ended up happening, that is stupid, and shouldn't have occurred. No one disagrees with you on that point. And why did it happen? Simple, you've answered it yourself:

Apple != perfect

What people are pointing out though, is that enabling that feature (a concious effort on your part) and using it as your sole backup (again, a concious decision) is generally a bad idea, because a portable media player generally gets tossed around more, and is more prone to damage than a dedicated backup drive. This is just a little bit of common sense.

Originally Posted by Helmling 

fortunately--as with my pictures--almost everything else is backed up elsewhere.

But In your first post you state:

Originally Posted by Helmling 

In the process of trying to restore my music, though, it trashed ALL my photos! [...] my photo library is gone now.

So what is it then? First you say iTunes ate all your photos, now you're saying you have backups...

Originally Posted by Helmling 

Still best option, but not perfect. Live with it.

Seems to me you need to live with it. You're the one that started a thread because iTunes deleted all your photos, now you say you have them backed up? Why get your knickers in a twist if your photos exist safely elsewhere and can be synced back to your iPod at your leisure?

[analogika]

Originally Posted by Visnaut 

None. However that ended up happening, that is stupid, and shouldn't have occurred. No one disagrees with you on that point. And why did it happen? Simple, you've answered it yourself:

Apple != perfect

While that is obviously true, in this case, it's a logical fallacy, because

The syncing feature actually worked as expected! (though not by Helmling)

This is the exact same situation as people who come around and bitch that iSync deleted all their contacts from Address Book after they themselves deleted them all from their phone - except that in those cases, people shut up rather quickly once they realize it's a PEBKAC situation and don't go spouting "fascism" bullshit.

[PeterTooo]

Try using your iPod as a hammer too... I'm sure that'd work.