I’m having almost exactly the same troubles as the OP was having, except that I already have the latest version of libgpod-tools (and I have a first gen touch, not second). I also get two errors after mounting with ifuse and then opening gtkpod:
"<mountpoint>/iTunes_Control/iTunesDB (or similar) does not exist. Import aborted"
and the not-so-helpful
"Newly mounted iPod at <mountpoint> could not be loaded into gtkpod."
The second error message only appears upon initially opening gtkpod. Once I get into the program, I can try to load the iPod, and I only get the first error message. Just for kicks, I’ve tried to delete the iTunes_Control/Device folder and re-creating them, but no luck. I’ve also tried adding one song to the pod using iTunes, hoping it would create the iTunesDB file, but it didn’t.
Being able to manage my iPod Touch is the last reason that I still have to keep Windows around. I’ve been waiting for a linux solution for the Touch for a while, and I’m close now. I just need some help to get this last step. Any suggestions? Thanks to all.