What is a reliable alternative to iTunes for loading iPods?

Why not use iTunes?

Too many reasons to list but here are a few. The number one reason that just killed iTunes for me was after I ripped a few AAC files using iTunes, the program will not recognize them and will not add them to the library even though every other program plays them fine. I had to go back and rip it LAME MP3 just to make iTunes work.

It wants to update constantly. The updates are not updates they are rebuilds of the program. I don’t want to download a 70mb file when it would have been accomplished in 5mb. I wasn’t asked to install Bonjour or the dotMac crap. I disable it from connecting to the internet yet it still connects. I have multiple computers and would like to use my iPod on more than one. I don’t use the store but it is always trying to take me to it. I like Apple fine but iTunes is not for me and I can’t wait until they get some real competition. Maybe then Apple will go back to being good ole Apple.

I hate to bash Apple because I actually do like the company, this piece of software however is what I dislike. And part of the reason I never got the iPhone, as much as I like it (several friends have them) it’s ridiculous that you have to jailbreak a phone that you own just to get it to function like a phone because Apple wants to keep it on a leash. If you don’t want people to use it however they like, don’t sell the damn thing, keep it for yourself.

So what’s the alternative to iTunes?

I use Winamp

There is built in support, but I found a better support with ml_ipod

Note: Winamp doesn’t yet work with the iTouch or iPhone last I checked.

@dave Not every likes Apple I think their software works weird, I’m not a fan of m4a

@ TheBox, then why not use a Zune?

I use Songbird but there are many other options

ive never had any of these supposid headaches except maybe downloading a new version every couple months

Zunes are similar in headaches as far as I can tell from people I know that have them. I also like the sound of Apple devices over most other mp3/mp4 players. The hardware Apple makes is great in my experience, I’m just interested in replacing iTunes.

And I wish I didn’t have any of the “supposed headaches” like nexstar5 but I do, so I am asking the question.

I have iPods and I am keeping them. I want to manage them with something other than iTunes.

What is a reliable alternative to iTunes for loading iPods?

The redirects to the iTunes Store can be turned off in Preferences.

The AAC files you tried to import – were they copy-protected?

iTunes won’t connect to the Internet if you disable Genius and don’t need to get ID3 tags from Gracenote.

Selecting “manually manage music” will prevent the iPod from synching to a single library, so you can use it with multiple computers.

What is a reliable alternative to iTunes for loading iPods?

This is a simple question. There are many people that have the same problems I have with the software and many more have problems I have not experienced. Do a search. And there are plenty more that defend the software, have had no problems and love it. I use foobar2000 to play songs not iTunes specifically because iTunes lacks the codecs available for foobar2000 making it, for me, just an iPod loader. Either way the definition of alternative keeps iTunes from being an answer to this question.

I’ve opted to just try out foo_dop and possibly try the Winamp route.