Alternatives to iTunes music syncing for the Pre

Question

Now that Apple has closed the door on syncing with their iTunes (for those that do upgrade past 8.2), let's discuss alternatives.  After this happened yesterday, I've seen other alternatives such as:
 Reverting back to a version that works:  http://www.oldapps.com/itunes.php
iTunes Agent:  http://ita.sourceforge.net/
DoubleTwist: http://www.doubletwist.com
Missing Sync (Mac now, will have windows version out "Coming soon"):  http://www.markspace.com/products/pre/mac/palm-pre-sync-overview.html
I heard of others using things like Songbird (Pre not supported yet, but soon?), and WinAmp (Windows only?).
PreThinking also has a good article about using something called Sailing Media Sync.  See http://bit.ly/fppvl for more info.
Others?
P.S.  responses in this thread about Apple's decision, why it was made, etc, etc... will be removed.  Thank you.
Post relates to: Pre p100eww (Sprint)
Message Edited by PDAGuy on 07-16-2009 03:25 PM

Answer 1

I looked at the Missing Sync app and it looks like it solves the iTunes problem.  However, it's $39.95 and most of its synching conflicts with the Synergy web sync that I have with Google for contacts and calendars.  So I don't know how that would work - for now I'd disable the contacts and calendars in the app, although I like the Missing Sync's capability to sync with contact groups that doesn't work with the Google sync (they don't show up at all on my Pre, just the flat contact list - my gmail labels aren't accessible either in the Pre, only the inbox, sent mail, and trash - it would be nice if you fixed both of these).
The other option, removing iTunes 8.2 from my Mac and downloading and installing an earlier version, frankly scares me.  I'm afraid I'll lose my libraries, etc., and I still have an iPod that I use for podcasts (while driving) and videos.  BTW, I had no choice on updating to 8.2 - Apple pushed it to my iMac without asking.  I saw a post on the blogsdna.com site on how to uninstall using a terminal window on the Mac and executing a series of linux-looking commands.  So if I do that, do I lose my iTunes libraries, Playlists, Podcasts, etc.??  If not, how do I get them back when I install the older iTunes??  I see some suggestions on the same site but they are conflicting and very brief.  And how do I prevent Apple from updating iTunes again without asking??  So as I said, I'm scared to go that route.
SO..., given that every Pre owner and prospective Pre owner is facing this iTunes problem, I suggest one or more of these options for Palm/Sprint:
1) Give current Pre owners a discount or coupon to use for buying the Missing Sync app.  $39.95 is steep to fix something that was supposed to work seamlessly (one of the reasons I got the Pre, not an iPhone).  Also get Missing Sync to work with Google web syncing so their contacts and calendar syncing don't conflict with the web sync.
2) a) Provide detailed instructions on how to uninstall iTunes 8.2, keep your iTunes libraries, playlists, podcasts, vidoes, etc. intact, install an earlier version, 8.1.1? (recommend one and a download site), and restore the iTunes libraries, playlists, podcasts, videos, etc. to the new installed version that will work with the Pre. 
b)  Provide detailed instructions on how to prevent the old iTunes version from getting updated automatically by Apple, thus defeating everything you did in a).
3) Provide some other fix/workaround that is free or not as involved as 2).
I realize that Apple is the bad guy here, but we need to fight back!!