iPod question

I just got an iPod, I was against them forever because I have another MP3 player that holds just as much, was about 3/4 the price, and shows up as a drive on any computer, making iTunes and all that not an issue. However, it's like 8 times the size of an iPod and I can't go running with it, so I finally caved. My question is, is there any software or whatnot that does this what this* does for for free? Or do you think that the price is worth it for all that? I can't deal with iTunes, I need to subvert it in some way, and it bothers me to no end that I can't trade music with people.

*(I can't post links, the name of the program is PodMaxx)

iTunes is downloadable from the apple website for free, you dont HAVE to buy it

yeah, you only have to pay if you buy songs

No, I mean, I basically want the ipod to act like an external hard drive, cuz the technology allows it, but itunes doesn't. I guess I should just buy Podmaxx, it's only $20.

Oh, you mean like a drag and drop feature?

Yeah, and also for the stupid database to look like any other database. And to be able to move music from my ipod to my PC, and to look at all my e-mails an calendar on outlook on my ipod.... I guess what I wanted is for Podmaxx to be free, because it does exactly what I need. I bought it after much hair-pulling over $$, but it does actually work and is easy to use, so I am not complaining.