Using an ipod shuffle on another computer

iPod shuffles are not like the bigger iPods. You cannot play music on it on another computer through iTunes. As you noted already, the only options when you connect the iPod shuffle to a computer for the first time are to sync with that computer or cancel the action.

Note: Even when you are playing songs +off the iPod+ on your own computer, you are not actually doing so. The song file being played is actually the file on your computer. The list of music on the iPod shuffle's iTunes window pane simply acts like a playlist that points back to the song files in the music library.

That's why it does not work on another computer... because those song files are not in that computer's iTunes music library. It's different on the bigger iPods, where the song file being played is the one on the iPod.

KW-

1. Why would it need to play from the iTunes on the computer when it is fully loaded with songs and is charged/charging on the shuffle charging dock?

2. Why can I NOT see the songs on my shuffle when I open it -- instead of choosing to 'Cancel' or 'Erase and Sync' to my new iTunes (on my new computer)? It tells me 0 items, 464 KB available.

3. Will the songs be erased from the shuffle as soon as I select 'Erase and Sync' or will I be given a menu?

Why would it need to play from the iTunes on the computer when it is fully loaded with songs and is charged/charging on the shuffle charging dock?

Why? Because that would require an ongoing transfer of data from the iPod to computer, which would require more complicated hardware and programming, which would increase the size and cost of producing a shuffle. If it is treated as just a known playlist, data transfer is only needed when you manually or automatically fill it. That's simple.

It tells me 0 items, 464 KB available.

That is probably outside of iTunes. The files are invisible, so it is 0 items. The files still exist, so they take up space.

Will the songs be erased from the shuffle as soon as I select 'Erase and Sync'

Yes. An iPod shuffle can only be associated with one computer at a time. If you want to get songs off of it, you need to use a third party utility (search using Google to find one) which can transfer the songs from the iPod before using iTunes to +erase and sync+.