ITunes - getting started

Question

Hi,
Sorry if some of these questions seem basic. I"m just getting started. I've read through quite a bit of the user docs and can't seem to find answers to a couple of questions:
1. In iTunes, how can I add my own folders in the library? By this I mean hae my own folder that appears with Music, Movies.
2. In iTunes, with my iPod connected, how do I add a folder on my iPod itself? (Not a playlist)
3. In iTunes, if I choose "Manually manage music and videos", what am I gaining, and what am I giving up? What MUST I do as a result of that choice, that I would not otherwise have to do?
4. In iTunes, if I choose "Enable disk use", same questions.
I appreciate whatever help anyone is kind enough to share!

Answer 1

1. Use the iTunes menu "file/new folder". This will appear in the playlist section, not under the library section.
2. You can't. The iPod does not support the use of folders.
3. You are gaining not a lot really except the ability to manually manage the content of the iPod by dragging and dropping content from iTunes to iPod. Some people do this because their library is larger than the iPod storage space, or they want to delete songs from the iTunes library and keep them on the iPod (auto sync doesn't allow it and doing this is not recommended). Or if there are multiple iPod users using the same iTunes library (although this can be achieved via auto sync also).
With manual, you "must" drag and drop content to the iPod. You're giving up the convenience of auto sync.
See: How to manage the iPod content manually.
4. By enabling disk use, you are allowing the iPod to be used an an ext hard drive for storage of files etc. You can add these files via Explorer but music etc added this way will not be playable, it's a storage method only.
If you were to set the iPod to manual, disk use is an automatic setting and cannot be changed. Also, when disk use is enabled, the iPod is not automatically ejected from the computer after use, you need to manually eject it or it will continue to display "do not disconnect".