You're familiar with PocketDock, yes? The handy adapter that allows you to use a FireWire Cable with the 3G or mini iPod.

I was visiting a friend recently who was having trouble ftp'ing a 2 gb Quark job to his printer. It would transfer the first 100mb, then choke. Nothing we tried worked, and it was taking forever. What were we to do?

Now understand that what I am about to suggest goes against the very fabric of the techie spirit. Instead of spending all evening trying to figure out exactly what was wrong, why, and who was to blame, we simply went straight for the workaround. He had a deadline, and I had a date. So it was a time issue.

Out came my iPod and the tiny PocketDock. I borrowed a FireWire Cable, moved the file to the iPod, and he was off to the printer. I picked up my sweetie, and just made my dinner reservation.

PocketDock. How many ways will it save YOUR day?

Here's what it can do:

• Connect a standard FireWire Cable to any 3G iPod (with the dock connector on the bottom)
• Charge said iPod
• Transfer data to and from said iPod
• Use accessories you bought for your original iPod with your new one
• Make it so you don't have to disrupt your iPod's dock every time you want to take your iPod on any extended journey