[Gtkpod-questions] Syncing local repositories/playlists with iPod

[Dylan H. <dy...@de...>]

I suspect I'm missing something obvious here, but how do I keep the  
playlists on my iPod in sync with the playlists in my local  
repositories.

For example I have a local repository called "Audio Books" which  
contains a handful of files. I have dragged the whole repository to  
the ipod and a playlist of the same name is created.  As I finish  
listening to audio books I delete them from the local repository and  
add new ones. The only way I've found to keep the ipod playlist in  
sync with the local repository is to delete the playlist from the ipod  
and drag is across again. This is fine except that it copies all of  
the files again even though most of them remain unchanged.

I can't use the "Sync Playlist with Dir(s)" option as this goes back  
to the file system and finds all manner of files I don't want included.

If I drag the repository across next to (rather than over the top of)  
the old one I end up with two playlists.

If I drag the repository over the top of the old one I end up with  
many of the tracks listed multiple times.

Is there a more elegant/simpler way to do this?

Along the same lines I also have a repository with my music loaded. I  
create a smart playlist with a size limit which randomly picks a  
selection of music. The size limit is because the repository is larger  
than my iPod. I would like to be able to re-sync this playlist with  
the iPod as well so I get a different random selection of music from  
time to time. I've hit similar problems as above.


Comparing the above with iTunes, there is an option to manage your  
iPod manually (which seems similar to how gtkpod functions) or an  
option to nominate a number of playlists which will be kept in sync.  
Each time you connect the iPod it sucks across any changes.

Any ideas welcome :)

Thanks,

Dylan