birdJam Online Help

Does your birdJam Maker software organize my extensive collection of bird songs that I already own?

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:56:46 +0000

No, birdJam Maker only works with the Stokes Field Guide to Bird Songs, Eastern and Western Regions and the Cornell CDs for Costa Rica and Arizona/Sonora, Mexico. (Other modules may have been added since this was written--check out our online store for current information.)

Note that you can still use your iPod and iTunes to organize your own collection of bird songs and load them to your iPod in addition to the bird song collections that birdJam provides. We recommend that you create playlists in iTunes for your bird song CDs so that they load alongside the birdJam playlists.

How much space do both the Eastern and Western bird songs and photos require?

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:36:05 +0000

The Eastern and Western (Stokes) bird songs, combined, require about 750MB, or less than 1GB. This includes all of the playlists and photos that birdJam Maker adds.

This means that you can use an older 1GB iPod Nano as a nice birding tool. Or, any of the current model iPods that have a screen will work just fine. (The iPod Shuffle won't work because it does not have a screen, so you can't select the bird song to play.)

Is it hard to install birdJam myself on an iPod?

Thu, 08 May 2008 13:20:00 +0000

The vast majority of birders who "load their own" iPod indicate that it is a straightforward process: They just follow our installation instructions and things go smoothly. It can take quite a bit of time, however.

For example, if you are loading Eastern and Western bird songs, it can take as long as an hour and a half to go through the installation process simply because it takes a while to load the seven Stokes bird song CDs (3 Eastern and 4 Western) into iTunes.

Once the Stokes CDs are loaded and birdJam Maker is installed, then it's as simple as selecting a few options and pushing two buttons in birdJam Maker. (Easy!)

For fastest results, we strongly urge you to print out and follow our step-by-step installation instructions. You can view the instructions here:

Does birdJam Maker work with bird song CD sets other than the Stokes CDs for East and West?

Thu, 01 May 2008 16:19:31 +0000

birdJam Maker has been enhanced so that new add-on modules can be added to birdJam Maker for East, West or North America.

The first two add-on modules, added in Winter 2008, were for Costa Rica and SE Arizona/Sonora, Mexico. Both of these CD sets were produced by Cornell and are available from our online store. You'll need to purchase both the add-on birdJam Module and the associated Cornell CD set.

We expect to continue adding modules. Check our online store to see what else is available.

How to Delete All of the Stokes Tracks

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:05:12 +0000

Here's how to delete all of your Stokes CD tracks so that you can reload everything:

1. Open iTunes.

2. In the left column of the iTunes window, select 'Music' underneath LIBRARY.

3. In the top right corner of iTunes, type 'Stokes' into the Search Box.

4. Browse through the resulting list to be sure that it contains ONLY Stokes tracks. (You are about to delete all of these and we don't want any mistakes!)

5. Once you are sure that only Stokes tracks are selected, select any one track then Select All. (Edit menu: Select All, or Control-A.)

6. Press the 'delete' key on your keyboard.

That's it!

Now print out the Installation Instructions to use as a guide in re-loading everything. (See the Help menu in birdJam Maker for the Installation Instructions.)

Are the Stokes CDs required for birdJam Maker?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:39:36 +0000

Yes, for birdJam East, West or North America versions. You can buy the Stokes CDs from a number of sources including here on this web site. Or, if you already own a copy of them, you can use your own.

I bought an iPod from you. What do I do with the Stokes CDs?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:33:32 +0000

Problem:

What am I supposed to do with the Stokes CDs that came with my iPod that I bought from you? Am I supposed to update something?

Solution:

You don't have to do anything with the CDs. They are mostly provided for backup in case you lose the bird songs on your iPod. The Stokes CDs are already loaded onto your iPod.

However, you may want to add things to your iPod (music, audio books, more bird songs, etc.) in the future. In this case, you may decide it is simpler to load all the Stokes CDs, and then run birdJam Maker so that you can easily sync your iPod with your computer.

Before doing this, try an easier method: Start by enabling 'Manually manage music [and videos]' for your iPod. You do this with your iPod connected to your computer. (Be careful to say 'No--don't erase and sync' your iPod when asked!)

In iTunes, with your iPod connected, you should see 'birdJam' show up under DEVICES in the left column in iTunes and a white iPod Summary page on the right side of iTunes. Near the bottom of the white summary page, check the 'Manually manage music [and videos]' box.

Now you can safely hook your iPod up to your computer without fear of accidentally erasing all the bird songs on your iPod.

While in manual mode, the only way to get new songs onto your iPod is to drag them onto your birdJam iPod icon in iTunes. So that's the first method to try. For anything that you want to add to your iPod, just drag it to the birdJam iPod icon in iTunes. (It's easiest to drag playlists rather than individual song tracks.)

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Method 2 for managing your iPod is more complicated at first--but simpler later, especially if you want to add many new songs or playlists to your iPod.

This is the method described in the Installation Instructions document which is included in the Documentation folder included with birdJam Maker. This method involves using all the CDs that were included with your birdJam iPod. You'll also want the latest version of birdJam Maker. If you're not sure whether you have the latest version of birdPod Maker, try going to the birdJam Maker Upgrade Page or contact us at support@birdjam.com.

Once you've completed all the steps in the Installation Instructions document, you'll want to set uncheck the 'Manually manage music [and videos]' checkbox in iTunes. Then, whenever you connect your iPod to your computer, your iPod is automatically updated.