New utilities allow more iPod functions

To answer some problems addressed by iPod owners, several companies have released utility programs to aid iPod users in downloading, uploading, and storing files with iPod. Many iPod users find that they cannot store music in multiple music libraries with iTunes, and cannot copy their music collection between their computers. Walter S. Mossberg reports that with available utilities and a few extra steps, these problems can be avoided until Apple fixes them from within iTunes. To use an iPod to copy music to multiple computers, Podworks ($8, Mac only), PodUtil ($18, Windows or Mac), and CopyPod ($20, Windows only) will work. Libra (free for Mac and Windows users, $10 registration fee) will allow the user to create multiple libraries and switch between them.