I have had success in installing Linux on the GCT!
This is a good sign that the BIOS was not hampered like the IOpener. I believe other Linux distros should be possible.
I used a few different mini distro's so far to rough out which will be the distro of choice for me.
Here is what I have learned so far:
mulinux based on 2.0.36 kernel-
In its basic configuration- no X11 windows yet since that is an addon disk which I have not bothered to make yet- but I see no problems with doing so. Adding the GCT drivers to the distro will take a bit of doing but I will look into it later.
SVGA may only be available in the distro's addon disk option. Sound, USB, and touch screen will require a development build, and to make it easy, an addon disk create so during the install you just pop in a floppy and you would get the GCT goodies.
Since it is 2.0.36 USB support may not be an option... a USB back port patch may be available... that needs looking into.
All-in-all mulinux is a great distro with a nice active community... but the kernel needs updating.
JailBait Linux 6.0 (IOpener build from LEM)
Based on 2.4.0-test1 Kernel... so this is a good thing.
It boots to a certain point but dies looking for a root partition since it is built with the boot drive being hdb (IOpener sees the second IDE slot as hdb since the SanDisk is on the bus- I beleieve).
To fix this distro would require a developmental build environment with LEM and JailBait sources.
I never really used JailBait (just booted and tinkered) but it has a pretty good rep. I have been unable to ever get in touch with the Author... maybe someone else has a closer tie.
USB support is most likely ready to go since it is based on the 2.4 kernel.
Sound, Video, touch screen would neeed to be added.
Midori Linux (GCT native Linux based on 2.4 kernel)
This of course seems like the most promising ditro since it is the one which ships with the GCT. The Transmeta site has the distro and docs.
I have downloaded it but have not looked at it yet... stay tuned.
Hard Hat Linux - I have it but have not installed the development environment yet.
PocketLinux - I have it but have never been able to load it up properly... It looks promising from the press and things I have seen...
I think my real development focus will be on the Midori distro and the HardHat distro (since I am trying to port Linux to the epods). I will continue to tinker with the mulinux distro though.
Here is another thought... Do you think we should set up a PayPal fund to try and buy a few GCT's to send to the authors of some of the mini-Linux distros like JailBait, mulinux etc. as incentives for them to port to the GCT. My company is interested in donating a GCT to one of the Mini-Linux distro authors.
wireless
