does anyone know a good program that can do this

Sure, ffmpeg... but why convert?

ok thanx. Ipods can only play MP4s(unless you know something I dont in which case please share). how do you use ffmpeg.

Nice program!
http://www.kde-apps.org/content/show.php?content=29024

mp4 also known as m4a

Obviously I do, because I've never uploaded any other format than mp3 to my iPod, and it's playing very nicely. Maybe there's a misconception here..

Converting a compressed format to another compressed format means losing (maybe a lot) quality. I don't recommend. If by any means it's possible, try to get the original source (uncompressed) and compress it to the new format directly, without doing it trough some other compressed format.

Example:
wav -> mp3 = bad
wav -> ogg = almost as bad
wav -> mp3 -> ogg = horrible
wav -> ogg -> mp3 = horrible

Btw. about the iPod: the official package says it supports mp3. Doesn't yours, or don't you have the original package?

when i mount the ipod i simply go to iPod_Control>music. and when in that directory i usually drop and drop music to that folder. however it doesnot show up when I do. I tried using amarok but it doesn't seem to be able to locate the device. I was told i needed to convert the files to mp4 for it to work. If you know of a better way let me know. I am using the fifth generation ipod

iPods play both AAC-encoded mp4s (mp4 is just a container format, AAC specifies the codec) and mp3s. In order for the iPod firmware to see your songs, they must be added to its internal song database as well as being placed in the proper location. I might suggest looking at gtkpod.

ok thanx. i will try this. do you have any instructions or a link