PUBLIC MARKS from decembre with tags itunes & ipod

Now that I own an iPod, the question is how can I use it without allowing the control freak spyware and crapware loaded iTunes on my computer? ITunes is designed to sell you Apple’s products, while it offers some features that allow you to manipulate your existing collection it limits your flexibility and dictates its terms. The default settings control synchronization and set them up automatically so unless you adjust your settings just right it kicks things off the minute you plug in your iPod. It installs software without asking, changes things without permission, I gave it 5 minutes on a test machine and it was gone.

A lot of people don’t bother turning on the iTunes Music Store because it requires a credit card. Actually, there’s a couple of ways of bypassing the credit card requirement. The most common method is: 1. Find a free iTunes “redeem” code somewhere on the web 2. Open iTunes and go to the iTunes music store 3. Click on the “Redeem” link (on the right side, near the top) 4. You’ll be prompted to create an iTunes music store account, but with the “None” option unlocked so you don’t require a credit card.

Here's how to fill in the missing album art in your iTunes library and add it to your CoverFlow-enabled iPod in just a few steps.