iPod Linux

[elfqrin]

What are some of the advantages/disadvanatages of runing Linux on your iPod?

Thanks,

[jdhore]

advantages:

Not running Apple's stock SW
can play WMA files
don't need to put songs on via iTunes
has basically a file browser
different interface
cool games

disadvantages:

could **** up your iPod
most functionality is missing (no video, no firewire support)

that's about it...i recommend if you're not even vaguelly familiar with Linux, don't try it...if you NEED your ipod (like me), don't try it...if you want to go for a fun project and you have everything backed up and Applecare, go for it.

[herkamer]

There should be a Systm show about/How to for iPod linux!!!:D
Herkamer

[hoodedrobin]

You will not brick your ipod... even if your installtion goes wrong. However I suggest RockBox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockbox). It has a cleaner interface and looks better on video ipods.

[wademosthenes]

I think the functionality you lose would depend on the distro. I actually put video on my nano. And you can use other programs to put songs on your ipod with the original apple firmware. I think the main disadvantages would be the possibility of hurting the hardware, and not working as well witht the hardware (often they crash/use up more battery power - actually recommened in the ipodlinux forum for you to use the apple firmware when playing music).

And I beleive most distros by default leave the apple firmware installed so you can "dual boot" into linux or the apple firmware.

[TooDamFast]

here is a link to a how-to install ipod linux, it shows how to install games, browse your files change settings. Its a very nice how-to.

how to video, mpeg4 330 meg. (http://www.archive.org/download/AaronNewcombBrianBurgessandBenWeber_1/episode005.mp4)

or

how to video, xvid, 294 meg. (http://www.archive.org/download/AaronNewcombBrianBurgessandBenWeber_3/episode005.avi)

from http://www.thesourceshow.org/

[broderboy]

You will not brick your ipod... even if your installtion goes wrong. However I suggest RockBox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockbox). It has a cleaner interface and looks better on video ipods.

rockbox will only play mpeg's however

before you start you can backup:

# dd if=/dev/sda of=ipod_boot_sector_backup count=1
# dd if=/dev/sda1 of=ipod_os_partition_backup

restore:

# dd if=ipod_boot_sector_backup of=/dev/sda
# dd if=ipod_os_partition_backup of=/dev/sda1

[broderboy]

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/324849.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1218206558&Signature=pTnryGTP6gnNPsVaa9uIJqVtb4U%3D

w00t

http://twitpic.com/6ynl

[gregbeal]

man i remember using ipod linux on my old black and white ipod. I was always the coolest kid in high school playing super mario bros. on my ipod :P