Last updated: Oct 31, 2008 ~Keripo
All code/scripts written by Keripo are licensed under GNU GPL - see License.txt. For the licensing of the software/application, refer to the documents found in Misc/Docs.tar.gz or the license that comes with the original/ported software.
Project ZeroSlackr is a custom iPodLinux installation system. The aim of the project is to provide a simple, coherent, easy-to-use and newbie friendly method of installing iPodLinux on their iPods and trying out community-generated content. For installation instructions, see Install.txt. For a full list of features, see Features.txt For frequently asked questions and a list of terminology, see FAQ.txt. For an updated list of changes, see Changelog.txt. For a rough ToDo list, see ToDo.txt. For more information on iPodLinux, see iPodLinux's main website/wiki: http://ipodlinux.org
Project ZeroSlackr has also been ported over to SansaLinux although not all Slackr packs work at the moment. While the ZeroSlackr Framework is slightly different, the majority of things are the same for both the iPod and Sansa. Keep in mind that all documentation is written for the iPod and thus not everything will also apply/work for the Sansa. The Sansa port is still being worked on, so the general framework may change many times. If you still want to try installing ZeroSlackr on your Sansa e200, see Install-Sansa.txt for Sansa-specific instructions.
The core of the system is the ZeroSlackr Framework, consisting of a modified kernel, a modified, imaged userland, and ZeroLauncher. The kernel is patched for compatibility with certain applications and allows usage of the modified userland. The userland itself takes advantage of the loop-mount startup method by being contained as a filesystem image (rather than a partition), thus allowing a partitionless install. The SansaLinux version instead loads an initrd file during startup that contains the full userland content. The default launcher of ZeroSlackr is ZeroLauncher, a customized build of podzilla2 designed specifically for the launching of other applications.
The ZeroSlackr Framework is designed to allow for the easy integration/installation of various iPodLinux applications/content by providing a standard hierarchy and method of launching (ZeroLauncher). All applications are almost fully self-contained (e.g. all related files are stored in the application's directory). Installation of packs is usually a simple drag-drop, whereas uninstallation can usually be a simple directory deletion.
Numerous applications have been modified to fit into the ZeroSlackr Framework. The majority of ZeroSlackr's content is modified files or rebuilds from source. Since some of the content was originally only designed for certain models or were developed before the introduction of certain models, not all content will work on all iPods. As well, due to a loss in source code in some applications, hex-edited files are sometimes used.
Project ZeroSlackr is a project well in development and things are expected to be buggy and in need of fixing. If you find fixable bugs/issues, please post/describe them in the latest ZeroSlackr thread on the iPodLinux forums.
Also keep in mind that this is currently a one-man project (done by me, Keripo) for the most part and done out of free time. If you are an experienced programmer/developer and are willing to actively join in, feel free to contact me. If you are a happy end user, feel free to drop by in a ZeroSlackr forum thread and say a word of thanks. If you are feeling particularly nice, feel free to donate via ZeroSlackr's SourceForge page. I myself have been working on this through my 2GB iPod nano (which is near battery-dead due to the hundreds of reboots and reformats) and more recently a Sansa e250 (thanks to the kindness of Larry Riedel). I do not, however, plan on buying a new iPod nor iPhone/iPod Touch so, unless other developers join, the project will end when my iPod dies (hopefully Project ZeroSlackr will be complete by then).
Either way, I hope you enjoy using ZeroSlackr and remember to leave a word of thanks somewhere or, better yet, help contribute back to the iPodLinux community somehow, be it making and releasing a scheme, writing tutorials, porting new applications, or even writing your own. ; )
Enjoy!
~Keripo