Why does IPOD rename my files?

[dgrrr]

My subject line is reasonable and restrained, but the rest of the post is not -- I wrote it when I was upset -- if those posts annoy you, read not on. It pertains to using and IPOD/ITUNES on Windows XP. -- thx


***
Just got an IPOD for my folks anniversary. What tipped the scales for me (away from generic mp3 player, toward IPOD) -- believe it or not -- was that the IPOD's fm transmitter devices needed no cables or batteries. Based on the iPod's popularity, I assumed everythign else about IPOD was at least reasonable.
But now I am watching my poor folks struggling with iPod and Itunes.... I can't believe what I'm seeing.
Can anyone answer the following questions?


When itunes (winxp) copies a file to ipod, it seems to KEEP the metadata (artist/album/track), AND keeps the format (MP3s are still playable from IPOD by windows WMP) -- but obliterates the folder structure and filename (renames files to things like "H:\iPod_Control\Music\F00\IMDF.mp3") ....
Here it is -- What POSSIBLE reason or defensible rationale could itunes POSSIBLY have for RENAMING EACH FILE? It doesn't even change the filetype, or encode it! So:

(1) why rename the files? Are the ITUNES/IPOD just trying to feel needed, or act cool -- like somebody teaching his american dog to respond to commands in japanese? I really WANT TO KNOW!



Practical question -- I HAVE the changed settings on the ipod so I can drag and drop files / folders onto it with the same relative paths (folder names) and filenames. But (and this is the problem) the ipod can't see them -- they are not visible to the ipod device screen.
(2) Can I install softwarwe OR reconfigure the IPOD to allow this?

(In case you're a hopeless IPOD head and don't understand what I'm asking -- I want the user to be able to drag and drop folders structures of mp3 files from "My Music" onto the IPOD device, and THEN be able to play the music on the IPOD by choosing them WITH the IPOD device's screen...)



Lastly:
(3) Is there some easy way (besides using the xp windows explorer pointer) to tell quickly which ITUNES==>IPOD files (e.g. "H:\iPod_Control\Music\F00\IMDF.mp3") correspond to WHICH songs on my PC -- OR on Itunes?
(4) How about the ones with NO META DATA (artist/album/track names)?

[honeybee1236]

#1- Don't know why the files are renamed like that on the iPod.
#2- The files don't show because you can't add music to the iPod by dragging folder onto the HD. You have to connect it and either auto sync it or use it via manual mode. When it's set to manual you can drag n drop music onto the iPod but it must be connected to iTunes & showing in the source list.
#3- No, not that I know of. I have found that when you transfer the files back to the computer that the file names will show up in iTunes correctly and not with the 4 letters showing inside the iPod.

[awheewall]

The naming and 50 folder distribution on the iPod is to make the database that runs it very efficient. Plus by hiding the files and renaming them, they can clearly demonstrate that the iPod doesn't help with music piracy. But it's mainly to do with DB efficiency.

A normal user wouldn't even be aware of this as these files are in a hidden folder. If you copy everything back to a computer and into iTunes, iTunes will rename the file back to the track name in the normal folder structure. (if you've allowed iTunes to 'keep your music organised'. I've done this many times to give a friend my entire collection. But not very good if you've got 9,000 tracks like I have, as you need about 70GB spare to do this properly.

What you need is something like CopyPod to enable you to pick selected tracks from your iPod and copy off (with a decent filename).