I'm on 50/80GB....... The 160 was overkill for me.

ipod socks or a sitick-on protector of some type. I do have a 2Gen iPod that actually looks pretty good as I kept it in a case most of the time.

next time I'm there I will take a picture for you. I can't speak for every Apple retail location, but I know for a fact that the one in Tampa @ International Plaza does have them. You do have to ask, though.

The Apple stores have a case of sleaves so you can try all of the headphones out, just ask an employee (it's usually in the back so they will have to get it)

when did you do the firmware upgrade (if you did)?

x2 for iTunes for handling large libraries. Spotlight integration does it for me too.

then don't buy one.

from Apple's support site. "What’s New in this Version - iTunes 7.4.2 addresses an issue with creating ringtones using iTunes Plus song purchases and includes bug fixes to improve stability and performance" I have a 6G iPod and I don't notice anything.

each ipod has it's own preference (manual sync, auto). you can have the shuffle auto fill and the classic be manual, vice versa, etc.

I started with the DSLR thing, it got $$$. Besides the equipment you gotta buy a nice computer and photoshop :-)

same with HD spinning up, but I wouldn't consider it bad. the firmware update fixed most of it for me. 80 GB Classic.

i'm not having these issues with my 80 GB. I also agree that more probably bought the 80 vs the 160.

rubber band that comes with broccoli? i'm sure you could get some at the market for free just by asking.

do you like jam bands at all?

+1 for apple lossless. +1 for iTunes. the 128 AACs (and the 256s for that matter) kinda suck, but I use it mostly for organizing, downloading podcasts, etc. The album art feature (with cover flow in iTunes) is cool.