Finally solved my iPod problems on Ubuntu with Banshee. It works well, synchronizes the iPod, dowloads Podcasts. The only thing missing are video effects.

I finally installed Ubuntu on my Sony Vaio and completely erased Windows XP.

I must say that for me Ubuntu is ready for prime time. The only problem I have is with iTunes/iPods. iTunes does not work on Linux, and syncronizing the iPod is not very easy with the available programs.