Choosing Podzilla
From wikiPodLinux
Note: While this page does contain information on podzilla (legacy) and podzilla2, the term "podzilla" in the title of this article referrs to every iPodLinux gui, not just podzilla (legacy) or podzilla2.
If you are new to iPod Linux, you may be wondering just what podzillae are, and which one is right for you - this page contains information that is meant to help you decide exactly which podzilla is right for you.
Simply, podzillae (plural for podzilla) are User Interfaces (http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&lr=&oi=defmore&defl=en&q=define:User+interface) for iPodLinux.
Most tutorials will instruct you to download and install the original podzilla commonly referred to as podzilla (legacy), but there are many other Podzillae. Different podzillae contain different games and applications, but all (spare podzilla2) are based off of the original podzilla.
This Wiki page covers the pros and cons of most "modern" podzillae, meaning podzillae that are still being maintained by their developers. For more information about discontinued/old podzillae, check out the podzillae page.
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Podzilla (Legacy)
Podzilla (legacy) is the original podzilla. It is maintained by the official iPodLinux team, and is very widely used.
Currently, there are three official versions of podzilla - the release version (included in the userland files (http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=73079&package_id=73279)), the beta release (http://ipodlinux.sf.net/download/beta), and the nightly builds (http://www.ipodlinux.org/builds/) (unsupported by the core iPodLinux team). The GUI installers usually include the beta version.
Pros
- Very easy to install and use.
- Takes up little space on your iPod.
- Works on every iPod that is currently supported by iPodLinux.
- Plays videos, plays MP3/AAC/WAV music file formats, displays text files, and runs WAD games (http://ipodlinux.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4984&highlight=wad+games).
- Updated very often.
- Supported by the Core iPodLinux team.
Cons
- Contains only a few applications.
- Not particularily user friendly.
- Lacks the "Run..." menu item.
Conclusion
Being that it is not too complicated, podzilla (legacy) is probably a good choice for you if you want the bare necessities. With the ability to play WAD games, MP3/AAC/WAV music files, and a basic file manager, it is also perfect for new iPodLinux users.
For those who want more out of their podzillae though, this may not be the right one.
More on podzilla (legacy)...
- Podzilla (legacy) Wiki page.
- Podzilla beta releases (http://ipodlinux.sf.net/download/beta).
- Nightly podzilla builds (http://www.ipodlinux.org/builds/).
- Comprehensive list of all of podzillas features.
FloydZilla
Floydzilla is a build of podzilla, maintained by DansFloyd (http://ipodlinux.org/forums/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2438) (website (http://dansfloyd.com)). It is more feature-rich than podzilla (legacy).
It is currently unsupported by the core iPodLinux team, but you can get support from members of the forum (http://ipodlinux.org/forums/).
Pros
- Easy to install (uses its own GUI installer).
- Has a tonne of extra applications, games and features.
- Has a "Run..." feature.
- Has lots of fonts to choose from.
- Has a Text Input feature.
- Reorganized menus.
- Works on every iPod that is currently supported by iPodLinux.
- Has iBoy - a GameBoy emulator.
Cons
- Unsupported by the core iPodLinux team.
- Slightly buggy.
Conclusion
FloydZilla is a build of podzilla that is full of great games, useful applications, and a GameBoy emulator. It is very easy to install and use - perfect for both new users and veterans of iPodLinux.
More on FloydZilla...
- FloydZilla Wiki page.
- FloydZilla installation help (http://www.dansfloyd.com/help.html).
- FloydZilla download page (http://www.dansfloyd.com/floydzilla.html).
Podzilla2
The correct name for this next-generation podzilla is actually just "podzilla", but it is commonly referred to as "podzilla2" or "pz2". Podzilla2 has moved into the usable phase, and though it is stil buggy, it has many functionalities that legacy podzilla lacks. Note: this is the only version that is working on 5.5g ipods in a complete manner. Podzilla2 is currently maintained by the core iPodLinux team. It is still in beta, so many applications do not work (yet).
Pros
- The most feature-rich podzilla to date.
- It's very easy to add modules.
- New & Attractive themes.
- Improved file browser (able to rename, move, copy, and delete files).
- Much more core functionality for developers.
- Text Input feature.
- Improved music playback.
Cons
- Not easily installed.
- Still in beta, so there are many bugs.
- Doesn't play movies or WAD games (yet...).
Conclusion
Podzilla2 isn't such a great choice - there's still alot of bugs, it can't play movies or WAD games, and is pretty hard to install. If you're a soul prone to curiosity, and wish to see the future of podzillae, this is definatley something you'll want to check out.
More on podzilla2
- Podzilla2 Wiki page.
- Pz2 Nightlies (Apperances, Modules and Pz2) (http://www.josh.sys-techs.com/svnbuilds/)
- Installing Podzilla2 (Very bleeding edge) (http://ipodlinux.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3753).
See also...
Here are a couple of links that you should definetley check out, if you're new to the whole iPodLinux project.
- Updating podzillae - Though the 'updating podzilla' page was written with updating podzilla (legacy) in mind, it shows you how to update basically any build of podzilla using 'start' files.
- Jonrelays Triple Threat - Can't make up your mind about which podzilla you should install? Jonrelays Triple Threat is a triple bootloader that will not only install FloydZilla, Podzilla (legacy) and Podzilla2, but it will also allow you to choose which one to boot into on every reboot.
- Podzillae - As mentioned above, this is like an archive with information pretaining to just about every build of podzilla made by the iPodLinux community. Interesting reading...
