Rockbox

I switched to Rockbox on my old, trustworthy iRiver H340. In case you don’t know, Rockbox is an open source replacement firmware for mp3 players.


Advantages (I actually care about, i.e. not little games & apps):
– Themes. I’m using a DGT theme.
– Actually usable Database playing;
– Ability to play other music formats (FLAC comes to mind);
– Having an actually beautiful interface can’t be understated (themes again);
– It’s Open Source (which also means you’ll probably get new firmware long after the player manufacturer stops bothering with it.

In case you’re wondering, Rockbox was very easy to install, at least in my player. Despite the fact that the instructions look relatively long, the actually steps needed are quite simple and easy (though it might be a bit confusing figuring out exactly what you need to download). And it turns out it’s even easier to uninstall (just delete one file).

In case you want to do it and got confused or if you’re wondering just how easy it is but don’t want to read the full instructions, here are the steps:
(NOTE/disclaimer of sorts): this is a summary, read the full instructions at the rockbox website)

1. Download the firmware;
2. Download the firmware patcher;
3. Patch the firmware you downloaded (the .hex file) using the firmware patcher (duh);
4. Put the just-patched firmware file on the root of your iRiver H3xx player;
5. Tell the player to install the new firmware ([hold Navi] -> General -> Firmware Upgrade).

Pretty straightforward right?

[Updated: I forgot to mention the ability to play other music formats such as FLAC]

STALKER: First (and probably last) Impressions

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl turned out to be nothing more than “Oblivion in Chernobyl”. Yet another boring Action/RPG or whatever you want to call it. Combat is just lame. So far the story is at least poorly told (Doom3 style PDA except worse) and you waste time just going from one place to the other. On top of that, graphics are slightly dated.

Off course that’s my opinion… I heard there were people that actually like crap like Oblivion, maybe they’ll like this game too…

I prefer a “tightly controlled and scripted ride” with more action than walking around and talking to NPCs (and by talking I mean reading) and not having to constantly re-arrange the inventory. Seriously, why would I want to pick up 20 weapons exactly alike? Oh that’s right, because they wear out and I might want to sell them. What’s up with trading? How is that fun?