I have had a 1GB Shuffle for about a year now. I love it . I've just splashed out on a 5th Gen 60GB iPod. With docking station and Remote. It hasn't arrived yet so I'll keep you posted.
You'll get a real insight into iPods and this link .It's for iPods what Xmarks is for kilts
http://www.ilounge.com/
As regards the warrenty things are a little different in Europe so I can't comment