Using an iPod without iTunes - some advice, please

[Nekkerbee]

So, my wife got me an iPod Nano as a gift, but as the thread title clearly states, I don't want to use iTunes.

Per this thread I would like to use Winamp (which I've used in the past) or MediaMonkey (which my friend uses and recommends) to manage my iPod. However, both sets of instructions indicate that the iPod has to be set up with iTunes first:

"First, make sure to enable disk use on your iPod by connecting it and opening iTunes (if it doesn’t auto-launch). Select your iPod and then click the Settings tab. Scroll down to the Options section and remove the check from the box labeled Open iTunes when this iPod is attached. Then place a check in the Enable disk use box (if it isn’t checked already). Click Apply."

The article was written in 2007 so for all I know developments since then have rendered the iTunes requirement unnecessary. So I ask of the CFC community:

1. Do I really need to use iTunes, even if just in the beginning to prep the iPod for non-iTunes use?

2. Can it be any installation of iTunes? For example, can I install iTunes on any old PC, prep the iPod, then use it with Winamp on a completely different PC?

3. Should I just exchange the iPod for a less discriminating mp3 player?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[civ_king]

iPod FTW, why do you hate iTunes?

 

[Synobun]

I don't see the issue in using iTunes. It's easy to use for managing the iPod.

 

[Luckymoose]

Winamp with the Ipod thing installed is what I use.

 

[nonconformist]

iPod FTW, why do you hate iTunes?

Did you ever install Safari? Cos I assure you, it's on your computer. Along with a lot of other crap.
Or how do you like 25% of your CPU taken up with ITunes?

 

[civ_king]

Did you ever install Safari? Cos I assure you, it's on your computer. Along with a lot of other crap.
Or how do you like 25% of your CPU taken up with ITunes?

It's only 4% on my computer and uses 38 MB RAM, yes I installed Safari because it's faster than Mozilla Firefox

My CPU is a C2D@2GHz

 

[ainwood]

Moderator Action: Moved to Computer Talk.

 

[Bratmon]

I'm pretty sure rythmbox can talk to it just fine.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

I'm pretty sure rythmbox can talk to it just fine.

But can it do it on windows?

 

[Bratmon]

But can it do it on windows?

That was not stated in the OP. You do know what happens when you assume?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

That was not stated in the OP. You do know what happens when you assume?

Linux was not stated in the OP either. Your suggestion should be multiplatform then.

 

[mdwh]

If you exchange it, consider the Sandisk Sansa Clip+. You can use it with any player you like, including simply copying the files how you want, since the player presents itself as an external drive. It Just Works, unlike the IPod which scrambles all the files (the other day we tried to play some files from my gf's IPod on a computer, and it was hopeless, as we had no idea what file was what).

It's much cheaper too, and has a microSD slot for expansion up to 24GB (will be 40GB when larger cards become available).

 

[Bratmon]

Linux was not stated in the OP either. Your suggestion should be multiplatform then.

In that case, there isn't any possible answer.

 

[Quintillus]

Songbird can support iPod Non-Touches without it being necessary to install iTunes first as I understand, and works on any old PC. It's not exactly lightweight, but it does have some nice features (such as lyric-finding without ads), and it won't cause any Update Your Apple Software and Why Not Install Safari in the Process popups to appear.