I'm too dumb for my iPod

[TomTom]

So I have this iPod on order (thank YOU Poker Stars player points). I actually have little idea how it works, but I think I’d like to put some of my CD tracks onto it.

How do I get files off the CD, onto my computer then onto the iPod? I see iTunes will do it, but is it better to do it with some other program?

[RobTheDuck]

MUST I use iTunes to load my iPod??