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Best Practices for Loading Rockbox and MP3 Files Onto New iPod Video?

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Bootzilla:
Hi, I have a refurbished 80GB iPod Video 5.5G on the way from Apple that I plan to Rockbox.  I also have about 140GB of FLAC files that I plan to batch convert to VBR MP3 (V0 or V2) using dbPoweramp for installation onto the iPod (i.e., approximately 30-40GB of MP3 files).

My question is this: Should I: (A) install iTunes on my PC and load the MP3s onto the iPod via iTunes before I install Rockbox; (B) install iTunes on my PC and load the MP3s onto the iPod via iTunes after I install Rockbox; or (C) install Rockbox and then drag-and-drop the MP3 files (which will be in separate folders by Artist-Album) directly onto the iPod, thus bypassing iTunes entirely?

Alternatively, should I do none of the above and follow some other order of operations?

Ideally, I would like to be able to access the MP3 files via both Rockbox and the Apple firmware.

I tried to find some info on this question before posting but was not successful.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

LambdaCalculus:
Option C is the quickest and easiest method of loading music onto a Rockboxed iPod. The only thing you may need iTunes for is just to enable disk use on the iPod. After that, kiss iTunes good-bye, and say hello to liberation! :)

Bootzilla:
Thanks for the quick reply!  I would much prefer to use Option C and bypass iTunes, but if I do so, will my MP3 files be accessible should I choose to boot into the iPod's Apple firmware?

LambdaCalculus:
Sadly, no. iTunes obfuscates the filenames of your tunes and mercilessly stuffs them into a hidden iPod_Control folder on the root of the device. The iPod firmware can not read any tunes copied to any other location on the device's drive, since it also requires a database file that iTunes creates.

You can perform either option A or B if you still need the original firmware. As long as you follow the install instructions in the manual, you'll be good to go.

Bootzilla:
Thanks again!  I gather from your second post that Options A and B will allow me to access the MP3s through either Rockbox or Apple firmware.  I have read that using Rockbox shortens the time between battery charges.  If that is true, I guess I would like the option to boot up into Apple's firmware when I anticipate a longer listening session.  Is the extra battery life worth the hassle of loading music through iTunes?  Never having owned a PMP or used iTunes before, I guess I don't know.

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