hi, I just wanted to know if the ipod button on the bottom right pops up only when the ipod is connected.
It happens on mine, which is a pain because I can't toggle between auto-sync and manually manage files BEFORE I connect the ipod. So if it was set on auto sync the previous time, it immediately starts syncing the moment it is connected.

Any way around this?

Under preferences, mine is currently sent to do not launch itunes when ipod is detected.

Also, when I set it to manually manage files, the use ipod as firewire drive checkbox is disabled. Is this a standard feature? I want to manually manage my mp3s as well as add new notes or non music files to my pod.

Am running latest itunes and have a 3g ipod with latest firmware.
thanks.