gtkpod brings the iPod to Linux

Filed under: Audio, Utilities, Linux, Podcasting, Apple, Open Source

gtkpod brings the iPod to Linux

by Victor Agreda, Jr. Jul 21st 2005

While it won't strip out the DRM on protected AAC files, gtkpod otherwise allows Linux users to access and download the contents of their iPods. Version 0.94 was released a few days ago, so if you've been putting off that shiny new purchase (and you know who you are), maybe now is the time to reconsider.

Gtkpod has a very powerful editing system too, useful for fixing ID3 tags, volume, or finding duplicates and modifying playlists. The nifty thing is you can still use your iPod with iTunes 4.9 and the latest iPod firmware (3.1 for now). The graphical front-end for your iPod includes tools for putting your open-source calendars and addresses on there too (Evolution, webcalendar, Thunderbird, kaddressbook). If you swing both ways on the OS front, it's a very handy utility to have. Just as an iPod management tool it is nice, since Apple won't let you manually tinker with the music files on your pod. The only downside: no support for podcasts yet.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

eleongonzales said 12:19PM on 7-21-2005

I have GTKpod on my linux/xp laptop. I have all of my music on my Mac at home and was hoping that this program could read the HFS (or whatever format it is) file structure of my ipod so I can manage my ipod while traveling. I tried and tried to get the ipod to mount with no success. Have any of you encountered this problem and if so what did you do to mount the ipod?

Victor Agreda, Jr. said 1:15PM on 7-21-2005

Unfortunately the developers merely assume HFS support is possible. Testing appears to have been done with a Windows-formatted iPod. You may want to check the read me file for more info:
http://www.gtkpod.org/README

Note that there are several assumptions and "don't know if this works yet" statements...

eleongonzales said 1:28PM on 7-21-2005

Thanks, that was what I gathered from the program. HFS support would be very desirable when away from my mac. Subsequently, are you aware of any HFS readers for XP or linux that would allow me read/write to the ipod disk? Thanks- I really enjoy reading this blog and keep the useful freeware coming!

eleongonzales said 9:39AM on 7-22-2005

I have the 2.6.x kernal and could not mount my ipod using usb... I am going to spend some time with it over the weekend.

Victor Agreda, Jr. said 9:44AM on 7-22-2005

E, post back here when you get it working to let us know what you had to do!

eleongonzales said 2:00PM on 7-25-2005

Hey guys, I didn't get a chance to fool around with this over the weekend like i thought i would. I will hopefully get a chance tonight or tomorrow and i will get back to you. Sorry about the delay!

Lyubov Berezina said 4:06AM on 12-16-2005

To eleongonzales: linux kernel 2.4.x does not support HFS and HFS+, you need your system to be based on 2.6.x :) I managed to mount HFS-formatted iPod Mini with GtkPod easily assuming I have 2.6.x kernel.

Featured Time Waster

Civiballs is a beautiful, soothing physics puzzle Time Waster

I have an absolute weakness for physics games, and while Civiballs isn't the strongest physics-based game, what it lacks in the physics department it makes up for a few times over in style and fun.

In Civiballs, you are presented with a few colored balls, and your goal is to get those balls into the same-colored urn on the level. The "civi" part of Civiballs is that there are 3 sets of levels to play, each representing a different civilization. While the civilization doesn't affect gameplay, the artwork for each level is beautifully themed to it's appropriate era.

To play the game, you are given only one tool - a sword with which to cut the chains that are holding the balls. The puzzle part of the game is in figuring out what order, and with what timing to cut each chain. Do it right, and all the right balls end up in the right urns, with no stray balls entering an urn (a no-no). Do it wrong, and you get to start over again.

Civiballs is not terribly deep on gameplay; the entire game can be completed in about 15 minutes. But if you enjoy this type of game, it will be a very enjoyable 15 minutes.

View more Time Wasters