Linux on the iPod

Yes, they made Linux run on the iPod: http://ipodlinux.sourceforge.net/. The Rockbox iPod port uses pieces of the iPodLinux source code and would most likely not exist without it.

The Differences between iPodLinux and Rockbox

• Rockbox means to be a full stand-alone firmware replacement. iPodLinux is Linux on the iPod with a music player (Podzilla) that plays music.

• Rockbox has its own operating system (kernel), iPodLinux uses the Linux kernel. Rockbox's version is a lot smaller and faster, while iPodLinux's is bigger and slower but very well known, very well tested and offers a multitude of more services and features.

• Rockbox works on a larger variety of portable music players.

• Rockbox seems to have more active developers.

• Rockbox started before iPodLinux.