Reply #1: Hmmm... the only time I see an ! is when my podcasts have stopped updating.

[demmiblue]

I don't know about an automatic delete, however, you can always uncheck the songs/podcasts that you do not want and then sync your ipod. They are still there, but they will not be downloaded to your ipod. If you want to add them again at a later date, you can just recheck them.

Of course, there is the 'select all' option under 'edit', but that marks everything on your playlist.