I’ve used various song rating systems over the years, usually trying to find a meaningful definition for each of the six available ratings (not rated, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5). The ratings were there, so I should use them … right?

Well, no, actually. I realized after years of rating and playing that I really only need to classify songs I own in three ways:

• Songs I want to hear on the large playlist I listen to in the car and at work
• Songs I don’t want on that playlist, but I do want to hear when listening to an album straight through
• Songs I don’t want to hear unless I double-click on them

The only question now is: What star ratings do I use for the three categories? I’m leaning towards 2, 3, and 4 (over 1, 3 and 5).

(Oh, and feature request for the next iPod / iPhone: Allow behavioral smart playlists. I want to create two in particular: Songs I tend to skip, and songs I tend to turn up.)