I believe that if you set the iPod to be updated manually, and not to update playlists or the music library automatically, you can store MP3s on your iPod without having them on your hard drive. This is because I think the iPod will erase files on its hard drive if automatic updating is enabled and it doesn't see it in the music library. That's why it's not good to use two computers to update your library on the iPod.
And, by the way, if you copy files manually to the iPod using it as a Firewire drive, the iPod won't recognize the music files. The music is stored in an invisible folder called "Music" on the hard drive, but I don't know if dropping music in there will allow the iPod to see the files. Anyone have any knowledge on this?
I ordered my iPod yesterday, so hopefully I'll get it by Friday (maximum Monday), and I can play with it and tell you guys if that works.
