My ipod has also been temperamental over the last few months, and I was about to go look for a new one over the weekend (which I will probably do eventually, if not so soon), but since it's well out of warranty (by two years, if the one year ipod limited warranty is the one), then I may just go and try rockbox out. Yes, I think I will. On Ubuntu, no less!

Also, I am glad you got back safely despite the travel dramas! I have read your chapter and when I get a break from my research doom times will write some comments for you, but it all read well and I enjoyed it very much (which is more than I can say for some articles I've been reading recently)!