From what I understood from reading, I can't use Audible Manager to transfer files, only iTunes, for iPod stuff. That being, when I try adding a device in Audible Manager, there are no selections for iPods. I'm sure I'm missing some step somewhere to let MC work.
This is not correct. MC supports download, playback and synching of audible files. You CAN use Media Center to transfer audible files to the iPod, or to listen to audible files. You do need Audible manager, however, (OR iTunes -- you do NOT need both) to "Authorize" both the computer and the iPod for playback of Audible files. I don't understand why you cannot seem to authorize your iPod with Audible Manager -- I haven't done it in a while, so I can't remember the process, but when I did it it was very straight forward.
Just to reiterate, you do not need iTunes at ALL for any of this, but iTunes can be used instead of Audible Manager from what I understand -- as far as I know it's an either/or choice. I have NEVER had iTunes installed on my system -- I simply used Audible Manager to authorize the system (and iPod), and then I use MC from then on to download Audible titles, listen to them, and synch them to the iPod.
The only thing I use Audible Manager for at this point is to create audio CD's from Audible files -- MC cannot do this yet, and the question of whether or not it's going to has not yet been addressed.
Larry