Documentation for mounting an ipod nano under linux

1. Identify device

The format for the ipod nano is vfat. There are 2 partitions, typically
/dev/sda1 and /dev/sda2. Use dmesg or tail /var/log/messages and look
for the device. It usually appears as identified as a usb device with
vendor id "Apple". The following excerpt shows an ipod nano attached
to /dev/sda with 2 devices:

Vendor: Apple  Model: iPod  Rev: 1.62
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: Type: Direct-Access   ANSI SCSI revision: 00
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: SCSI device sda: 3964928 2048-byte hdwr sectors (8120 MB)
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: sda: Write Protect is off
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: sda: assuming drive cache: write through
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: SCSI device sda: 3964928 2048-byte hdwr sectors (8120 MB)
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: sda: Write Protect is off
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: sda: assuming drive cache: write through
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel:  sda: sda1 sda2
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: Attached scsi removable disk sda
Dec 25 12:39:43 joslyn kernel: sd 4:0:0:0: Attached scsi generic sg0 type 0

2. Mount/Unmount

The ipod nano needs to be mounted as executable and with permissions
for non privileged users. Some programs like gtkpod(1) expect the
ipod to be mounted in a specific place, usually /mnt/ipod

bash # mount -o users,exec,suid,umask=0 /dev/sda2 /mnt/ipod

Unmount the device only after sync'ing. To umount a device mounted to
/mnt/ipod:

bash # umount /mnt/ipod

3. Applications

There are gui and command line tools for managing the ipod database.

A. gtkpod

Pretty straight forward. Relies on libgpod. Be sure that the 
ipod is mounted and check that gtkpod has it connected. The 
options/preferences allow the ipod mount point to be specified. 
Multiple ipod devices are supported, which appear in a drop 
down combo. Be sure that the current ipod db for the device 
that is to be changed is loaded. Do this by selecting the "read"
icon. Add files by browing the filesystem. Transfer files by 
saving the current changes, which can be done by using the 
"save" icon.

Gtkpod allows individual files to be added to the ipod. In
addition it supports directory loads and playlists. The supported
playlist format is m3u.

B. amarok

iPod devices appear in the "media devices" tab. Configure an
ipod by adding a new device from the amarok preferences. The
dialog allows the user to specify the ipod mount point. 

Amarok supports multiple devices at the same time, with the
currently detected devices appearing in a drop down combo.
Select the ipod to modify from the combo and press the "connect"
button. This will display the current ipod db in a tree view.

Files can be added to the tree view from the playlist view.
Load the playlist view by loading a playlist or by loading
individual files and then drag them into the ipod tree. A 
new list pane appears under the tree view holding a queue
of files that are to be transfered to the ipod. Commit the
changes (and actually perform the transfer) by selecting
the "transfer" icon.

Files can be added from the collection browser. Right click
and select "transfer to media device". Playlists can be 
transfered to the ipod in the same way.

C. Gnupod tools 

4. Urls and further documentation

iPod/nano tools/apps: http://polishlinux.org/apps/ipod-in-linux/
iPod/nano: http://changelog.complete.org/posts/495-An-iPod-under-Linux.html
iPod nano video: http://www.tuaw.com/2005/11/16/video-on-the-ipod-nano/
iPod: http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/9266
gtkpod: http://www.gtkpod.org/news.html
ipod: http://mpeters.us/linux/linux_pod.php
podencoder: http://diveintomark.org/archives/2006/08/30/ipod-video-howto