z2sid

z2sid was created by wicknix as a new distribution to run on the Zipit Z2. It's based on Debian Sid. wicknix has come up with a nice interface with tmux and pdmenu. There is a version that boots X by default as well. In lieu of Ubuntu giving up on the armv5 architecture, I have given up on Ubuntu for the Zipit. All newer arm releases for Ubuntu will not contain support for armv5 processors which leaves the Zipit Z2 stuck at Jaunty 9.04 (April 2009), and without updates, z2sid makes an excellent replacement for z2buntu. My releases of z2sid will be chronicled here. I plan to support both u-booted Zipits and 2.6.29 kernel Zipits so you can run this on either. See release notes below for anything specific. Releases are in descending order by date.

Your MiniSD card should be partitioned with one large ext2 partition. Then, change directory to your MiniSD card and use this command (as root, or with sudo):

# tar -pxjvf /path/to/z2sid.tar.bz2

Be sure that the card has finished writing before unmounting/removing the card. Some systems will continue to write files even though the tar command has finished (Ubuntu likes to do this). To be sure it's finished writing, do this (yes, twice):

$ sync
$ sync
 

z2sidX v7 rc1 z2sidX_v7_rc1.tar.bz2 (mirror)
Jul-7-2011 (md5sum 826d74c7a37a3d747a7a08aa1500a8da)
* Pre-release/Beta (see my post here for more info)
* Linux Kernel 2.6.38-rc7+

z2sid v6 for u-boot/.29 rc3 z2sid_v6_uboot_rc3.tar.bz2
Feb-05-2011 (md5sum 712d971efa329b2fcfcc0974e164d848)
* Timezone added to firstrun script
* Removed giant "j" file from root dir (oopsie)
* Updated libertas firmware
* Added libertas License to /lib/firmware/libertas
* EWOC Wifi setup works, but Wifi Config is setup for eth1 still

z2sid v6 for u-boot/.29 rc2 z2sid_u-boot_v6_rc2.tar.bz2 Jan-17-2011 (md5sum 23384b710f6e0c3b8b95dd5840da2694)
* Linux Kernel 2.6.36-rc2 (added some webcam drivers)
* New first-run script sets up some defaults:
- MAC Address (from sticker inside batt compartment)
- Root/User Passwords
- Create ssh keys
- Create swapfile
- Setup Pianobar/Pandora Radio login
* Working pianobar courtesy Brianith
* Changed CTRL+a to CTRL+b in tmux
* ebindkeys installed
* Decrease/Increase LCD Brightness: CTRL-Prev/CTRL-Next
* Decrease/Increase Volume: ALT-Prev/ALT-Next
* Decrease/Increase Key Brightness: CTRL-Prev/CTRL-Next
* Suspend scripts updated: USB, libertas
* Xfbdev installed, untested
* Colors for irssi

z2sid v5 for u-boot rc1 z2sid_u-boot_v5_rc1.tar.bz2
Jan-5-2011 (md5sum d0975087fc52d5b8a994455d19f681ed)
* Linux Kernel 2.6.36-rc2 (disabled pwr button & lid switch)
* Power Management daemon handles lid switch/backlights
* Suspend works but resume scripts need to be created
* Manages screen and keyboard backlights:
-turns them off when lid is closed and on when lid is opened
-dims them when on battery and brightens them when on AC
-respects changes made to brightness while running

z2sidX v4 for u-boot z2sidX_for_uboot.tar.bz2
Dec-27-2010 (md5 115370aacdbb5f95d71459cf26707930) mirror 1
* First u-boot compatible release