birdJam for Yucatan Peninsula Now Available

Charlie and Jay have just completed the editing and development of the new birdJam Maker Add-On Module for the Yucatan Peninsula. Both Mac and Windows versions are available and priced at $19.99; photos are not included.

This new add-on module formats and organizes the new CD of Bird Songs of Mexico: Yucatan Peninsula, Volume 1. This 74-minute, 90 species collection is remarkably free of extraneous noises such as wind, insects, and other species of birds.

The CD and accompanying booklet were recorded and produced by Antonio Celis-Murillo, Fernando Gonzalez-Garcia, and Danny Meltzer. The CD and booklet are priced at $19.99. Both the birdJam Maker Add-On Module and CD/booklet can be ordered from the birdJam Online Store.

birdJam Upgraded for 49th AOU Checklist Update

The AOU recently issued the 49th Update to its Official Checklist. The latest (free!) upgrade of birdJam Maker from the birdJam upgrade page on our web site incorporates AOU changes to species included in our collections. For example, the common name for some robins such as the Clay-Colored Robin has been changed to Clay-Colored Thrush. Note, however, that the American Robin continues to be a Robin. Other changes and the rationale for the changes can be found in the full AOU Document (PDF).

Sound Ethics

As you know, birdJam is dedicated to birds and bird conservation. That's why we give five percent of company profits each year to organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and others. That's also why we publish information on our web site about Your Responsibility when using a birdJam iPod in the field. In an article written by Sharon Stiteler (aka The BirdChick), WildBird Magazine has now weighed in on the subject. Read this balanced and informed article (PDF).

Wall Charger Changes

This year when the new generation of iPods was introduced, we discovered that our existing wall chargers did not work with the new models that were introduced on September 9, 2008.

We now have new Sonnet Technologies wall chargers available in the birdJam Accessories section of our online store, and they will work with any model or generation of iPod. Note that we still have a few of the Cables To Go wall chargers which are perfect for previous generations of iPods.

What Generation Are You?

For the past five years, Apple has introduced a new generation and/or new models of iPods each September. At the same time, they generally update iTunes, their free music management system. And all these changes and updates present us with a range of challenges from availability of new models, to changes in the size/shape of the iPods (especially Nanos) so that they no longer work with existing accessories such as speakers. So, it is important that you know what generation of iPod that you've purchased. Of key importance is the date on which you purchased your iPod (month and year). Here's a chart from Apple that outlines how to identify which generation/model you own.

Keeping Up With iTunes

As noted above, Apple generally delivers a major upgrade to iTunes at the same time that new model iPods are introduced. If you are a iTunes user and you've got the birdJam-organized Stokes CDs installed in iTunes, then we generally recommend that you download new versions of iTunes as they become available. These upgrades generally include new features as well as bug fixes.

Remember, if you ordered a pre-loaded birdJam iPod, you NEVER HAVE TO download iTunes, install birdJam Maker, etc. You can just use your iPod as a standalone unit, simply plugging it into a wall charger to keep it juiced up.

For you iTunes users, the latest version of iTunes (8.0.x) has a cool new feature for creating music playlists. Called "Genius" playlists, iTunes can automatically create a playlist of "complementary" music. I got all excited when I read about it. What if it could create additional bird song "sound alikes"* playlists to accelerate bird song learning? Well, I (Denese) was over optimistic as the "Genuis" playlist creator only sorts people-made music and will not touch the bird songs. However, the music playlists it has created for my music have been inspired! *Remember that we have already created sound-alikes playlists, and they are available for download from the File Menu > Download Optional Playlists menu item in birdJam Maker.

Signing Off...

That's it for now. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hello at the Monterey (well, Watsonville) Birding Festival. Please keep in touch. If you need anything drop us an email.

With many thanks!
Denese, Jay and Charlie