What I meant to say is that if you want to use Apple ipod firmware, then you can't store your music in that filestructure. The apple firmware requires the music to be stored in that hidden control folder or whatever it is.

That order should work correctly. Definitely install rockbox before putting music onto your ipod.

Glad to help

Thanks nohitter151.
Sweet! i used to use rockbox with my archos jukebox player, but didnt realise they now supported ipods.

what do you mean, "if i want to use default ipod settings"? personally i dont care what settings i have to change as long as i can get my ipod to function propertly as an "portable" device. I hate iTunes, and am quite happy to change anything on my ipod to make it work better! Or do you mean that I wont be able to "sort by genre", "sort by artist" etc. and only be able to view the files in the directory structure i have placed them in?

Also what order should i install things in? I am happy to wipe my ipod and start over as all my files are also on PC. Am I correct in doing the following

1. wipe files using iTunes
2. run apple updater as rockbox needs to be reinstalled after updates
3. install rockbox
4. copy files to ipod using MM

I'm not sure about the oder of 3 and 4. or does it matter?

If you want to use the default ipod settings, then no, you can't store your files like this. If you really want to store your music in that structure, I suggest installing rockbox onto your ipod. You can find out about rockbox here

http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/WhyRockbox

and an easy install is available here

http://www.ipodwizard.net/showthread.php?t=8585

On my computer I keep my MP3 files in the following structure:
..\Artist\Album\song.mp3
..\Mix\Pop\song.mp3
..\Mix\Rock\song.m3
etc.

I want to have the same structure on my IPOD (60GB Photo) when i sync. I know this isn't possible with iTunes, as it shuffles and hides your files in that very annoying iPod_Control\Music\F00 folder structure.

Can I sync using MM and get MM to keep my folder structure the same on my IPOD? I remember trying it once but after syncing, none of the songs played on the ipod, so I had to re-sync with compatibility settings turned on. This resulted in the files being placed in iTunes style folders.

Is it possible to sync and not have this happen?

I really want to use my ipod as a portable device, and it is nowhere near portable when I need to install software on another computer just to get the files I want off the ipod.

Any help or suggestions appreciated.