Pls. help..can I use iPod without Itunes platform?

[dixiegrrrrl]

Just got an IPod Nano from dear friends, tried to load in ITunes, which told me I needed to have Service Pack 2 on my Xp puter.
And Quick Time.
I don't want service pack 2. had it on another puter, gave me all sorts of firewall problems.
I am so tired of being forced into crap I don't want.
I use Firefox browser, and a 2001 XP.
( and NO Script and Adblock and Spybot Search and Destroy )

What options to making the pod useable without ITunes.?
I heard about Songbird, but that is a browser plus a player.?

All I want to do is use the Ipod for storing some podcasts, some music, as a flash drive.

The friends are going to be asking soon how I like it.

[ChromeFoundry]

1. Others have had success with...

Winamp: http://www.winamp.com/
Then download the iPod plug-in for Winamp: http://mlipod.sourceforge.net/

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. ok....I downloaded WinAmp and found they have built in iPod support.

Even tho they are AOL....sigh.

This should give me an idea of what I can do with the Pod.
My basic need are small, actually. Mr. D. prefers to listen to audio books and etc and may inhereit the Pod if it does not enrich my life many fold.

All this to say, thank you for your response.:hi:

[ChromeFoundry]

2. SharePod is another freeware tool...

http://www.softpedia.com/get/IPOD-TOOLS/Other-IPOD-tools-Updates/SharePod.shtml

[hunter]

4. My iPod Nano works with Ubuntu Rhythmbox without any fuss.

I plugged in the iPod in and there it was. That was pretty much my last sticking point with Linux after I got the Nano as a hand-me-down from my kids.

I don't know about Windows.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. We are so getting rid of windows soon as possible.

Mr. d. has a long "honey do" list, but Linux is up there.