Alternate MP3 firmware
 

Has anybody tried this?

Rockbox is an open source replacement firmware for mp3 players. It runs on a number of different models:

• Archos: Jukebox 5000, 6000, Studio, Recorder, FM Recorder, Recorder V2 and Ondio
• iRiver: H100 and H300 series
• Apple: iPod 4th gen (grayscale and color), 5th gen (Video), Nano and Mini 1st/2nd gen
• iAudio: X5 (including X5V and X5L)

The fact that it would allow my iPod to plays successive tracks with no break makes it very tempting.

The fact that it completely ignores the iTunes database, and is oriented strictly to file system-based browsing, is an obstacle. I've invested a fair amount of effort into trying to get my stuff into a readable format. (Example: this album downloaded gets translated to "Satch 5 & 7 - 1" so it will all fit on the ipod screen rather than saying "Louis Armstro....") On other other hand perhaps Rockbox would allow me to monkey with the fonts.

Well, I can't find any screenshots on the Rockbox site, so if you do get it, please give me some screenshots... I'm not too impressed with Apple's firmware.

Man, I'd give anything to have a more useful operating system on my multimedia player, but I don't think that a generic mp3 firmware is gonna do it.