Apple iPod on Linux Project

lotion writes "I'm trying to get the Apple iPod to work with Linux. I want to be able to read/write MP3s, songlists, and so forth. Since I don't own a modern Mac, I'm stuck with a $400 mirror until I get it working. Now if that's not incentive ..."

Comments

Re:FireWire Harddrive?

[jasonwileymac.com]

Only for files and folders. You can't just fill up the HD with music and expect the iPod to play it. When connected to iTunes, it creates a hidden folder with it's own database of music, and that is the only way the interface itself will see the tracks.

Darwin must have HFS+ code

[Whatchamacallit]

Take a look at the Darwin HFS+ code. http://publicsource.apple.com/

Also look to http://sourceforge.net/projects/linux-hfsplus

Nothing is complete or very useable yet, but if you are a programmer, I am sure they could use all the help they can get.

Re:There's a surprise...

[raytoler]

I believe this is correct - the iPod OS is contained within the firmware, but it also relies on the iPod disk having a specific configuration, including the hidden music directory. Formatting the drive completely (as opposed to erasing the drive through the Mac OS or iTunes) will destroy the configuration that the iPod's OS expects. I suspect that anyone mucking around with the iPod in a non-Mac OS like Linux runs the risk of formatting the drive in a way that the iPod OS won't like.

Apple Knowledge Base Article 60983 provides information on how to restore a formatted iPod using iTunes. I don't suppose this will help anyone trying to use the iPod with a non-Mac system, but it gives some insight into how the iPod works.

If it were me, I'd want access to an iPod compatible Mac before I started trying to write iPod software for a different OS - it's too easy to cripple the unit with no way to restore it if the Mac's not there, plus it would be helpful to be able to watch the communication between the Mac and the iPod...