The problem
Using iTunes with a mp3 collection located in a shared network drive, so that anyone from anywhere can access them, does not seems to be a possibility that Apple’s developers considered.
In this scenario, iTunes need to be installed just on the machine that synchronize with the iPod, iPad or iPhone.
But what happen when you replace or reinstall the computer with iTunes installed ?
Of course the library data, the podcast subscription, and other stuffs are lost… if you do not copy the right files.