Syncing problem between Calibre and iTouch

[yourlibrarian]

Last week I got an iTouch but I have not wanted to run iTunes on it. So far I managed to get podfics onto it as well as Stanza without loading that software. I also got my existing downloads into Calibre but it does not seem to be recognizing my new iTouch so I haven't been able to transfer any of those downloads onto the device. Does anyone know why this might be happening and what I might be able to do to get them to talk to one another? The user guide seemed of no help.

Comments

[yourlibrarian]

Here are some answers:
http://bbauer.gomen.org/itunes.html
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/the-unofficial-guide-to-installing-itunes-10-without-bloatware/2390

[thedorkygirl.livejournal.com]

So, having read that, and having never purchased music legally in the dozen years I've been downloading, what are the chances that my first Apple product, an iPod touch of approximately 2 weeks of ages, will become a brick? Can they remotely shut down my iPod?

Sorry for the n00b questions, and I'm not a big music thief, I swear :P I generally listen to VibriVox & podfic, and I wanted a music player, and I wanted the shiny. But I do have a couple of songs on there that I snagged from whomever, so idk!

[yourlibrarian]

No problem about the questions! I don't think they can shut down your iPod (although the problem with software "updates" of any kind is that sometimes they do make the device useless -- my SO had that happen with his Zune). However, the big problem is that it's not clear what is actually packed into the iTunes software and there are legitimate concerns that they include spyware for Apple that may not uninstall when you try to delete the software.

Like you, I've never bought anything from iTunes, and Amazon sells DRM free tracks. However, I preferred being safe than sorry and bypassing their software entirely. I've also heard from Sony users that they prefer bypassing the Sony software more for usability than worries about the software itself (which is preloaded). So yeah, I managed to get everything up and running on the Touch without iTunes.

Just the other day there was an exclusive offer of free tracks from iTunes but the only way you could get it was by installing the software on your computer. Obviously there's no reason to have to do that for a free track unless the purpose is to get the software a foothold.

[thedorkygirl.livejournal.com]

I had an issue with iTunes being on my computer uninstallable for the 4 years I've had it...and I really don't like the software now that I'm forced to use it. You've made me consider other means of managing my iPod. Thanks :)

[yourlibrarian]

They make it tough but apparently it's possible. Good luck!