I did not buy an iPod today, but it was close. I am pretty sure now that my iBook is not going to last the one more year I intended it to. Yesterday, my hard disk started to make very loud clicking noises from time to time. And since it is clearly not designed to have its internal disk replaced, I got myself an external Firewire disk. There were basically three options: non-portable (160 GB, 20.000 yen), portable (60 GB, 30.000 yen) and iPod (starting at 15 GB and 30.000 yen). I went for a Logitec LHD-PBA60FU2 portable. I am now booting and working off the external drive with a freshly installed OS and a still completely useable copy of my home directory (all my settings are still there).