The Apple iPod music player is one of the most successful consumer electronics products in… The Apple iPod music player is one of the most successful consumer electronics products in recent history. It seems that everyone has an iPod in some form, be it the old black-and-white model (which is relatively inexpensive on eBay) or the new color video models, capable of storing and playing entire movies.

Perhaps its success lies in the fact that the underlying software and technical workings are not overly obvious. In fact, Apple has remained silent about the type of operating system or system software utilized in its iPods.

The technique has left the devices somewhat devoid of alternate uses, as people are unable to download and install their own games without Apple’s assistance. A computer-savvy person cannot simply edit the iPod’s settings to change its fundamental operation.

That is, this cannot be done without leaving the realm of Apple proprietary software completely. A recent movement to port other operating systems to the iPod would allow it to fulfill multiple functions, rather than simply playing music.

The main project, available for free on the Internet is called iPod Linux. As its name implies, iPod Linux allows users to install a miniature Linux operating system on their iPods.

Ipod Linux is safe and easy to install. With a downloadable installation wizard, iPod Linux will slide right in next to Apple’s proprietary operating system and will function independently of the iPod’s original settings. So installing iPod Linux on an iPod will not destroy the music, the software or the settings the iPod had before installation.

Why would someone want to install iPod Linux on his iPod? More importantly, why would someone with no prior Linux knowledge want to begin dabbling in the open source operating system with his or her music player? Quite simply, iPod Linux opens the iPod to a new realm of entertainment.

With an iPod Linux-enabled machine, users can install useful applications and games on their iPods, turning their Apple music players into game machines.

“iDoom” – a port of the classic I.D. Software game “Doom” – is available freely on the Internet for download and installation on an iPod Linux-enabled iPod. Also, iNES and iBoy are available for emulation of original Nintendo and original Gameboy games. These games can be installed without destroying the familiar Apple-based iPod user interface.

Installation of iPod Linux is incredibly easy. Whether you run Macintosh OS X or Microsoft Windows, iPod Linux creates a step-by-step installation wizard for your system. Simply download it, connect your iPod, and run the wizard. The default settings can be installed by clicking the “Next” button a bunch of times.

Along with the operating system, a simple boot menu is installed, allowing you to select whether you want to see the classic Apple iPod menu or if you want to boot into the new Linux edition when you first turn your iPod on.

Installation of “iDoom,” iNES and iBoy are also quite simple. They just require the dragging and dropping of some files onto the iPod, a task that can be easily accomplished using Windows Explorer or Macintosh Finder. To execute the games, a program called “File Browser” can be used. “File Browser” behaves identically to the iPod menu of Apple’s proprietary software.

The games, specifically “iDoom,” are entertaining. The wheel scroll system of the iPod lends itself quite well to control of a first person shooter like “Doom.” The graphics, although old and somewhat primitive, provide a nice escape for any iPod user who becomes bored with just listening to music.

For more advanced users, specifically those who have Linux experience, the installer allows for the downloading and configuration of additional, optional packets or programs. With a simple Internet connection, the iPod Linux installer will download a list of available applications and give you the option to easily and automatically install them.

Games available include “Breakout,” “Tetris,” “Blackjack” and “Video Poker.” Perhaps these are not the most exciting titles, but they do entertain. Even “Duck Hunt” is available for the iPod with iPod Linux.

The major drawback of messing with the iPod is the fact that it does require some previous computing knowledge. Although one does not need to be a computer genius to successfully enjoy iPod Linux, one can’t be a complete novice. To become more fluent in the language of the iPod, simply visit the iPod Linux Web site and begin reading the documentation.

With a little bit of time and patience, iPod Linux can be easily installed on your iPod. With it, the iPod is opened to an entirely new world of handheld computing. To download and begin installing iPod Linux, visit www.ipodlinux.org. Links are provided on the page that will direct you to “iDoom,” iBoy, iNES and other software packages available for iPod Linux.