New Ubuntu Z2 Userland from Mozzwald
A pingback from Geordy Rostad alerted me to a new Z2 Ubuntu userland from mozzwald. Looks like a very solid first release, and gcc compilation support is back in (apparently its not been working since my or aliosa27's bitbaked userlands??). Head over to mozzwald.com for the download and instructions and be sure to leave him some positive feedback. Those familiar with the previous Debian based userlands should feel right at home. Happy hacking! 
Roll your own Google Cloud Print, Today, Using Your Zipit Z2 (or anything that can run python), in 5 Minutes
When I read about Google's new strategy for cloud printing, I thought "hey that's great!, wish I could use it before 2011!". Thankfully, I run linux on damn near everything. As I don't have an android (which would be a pretty ideal running platform for this...), I've used the Z2 as my "drop in" cloud print server. Doesn't seem like it'll take the manufacturing companies long to integrate this into new product lines, as it's pretty simple. Instructions and source code links below!
Finished building my first guitar
Mark brought over his copy of Make, and it turns out this last Makezine had a great article on building cigar box guitars. It sounded like a really interesting project, so we went off to the hardware store to purchase some oak timber. Many days/hours/blood stains later, the fruits of our labor emerged, tuned and ready to play. 
. Lots of hack potential, and an easy fix if I break something. Bonus, tablature looks fine in links browser on the Z2, though you will have to scroll quite a lot. I'll see about getting gnome guitar working, should be interesting (mono bleh). Yet again another use case for the Z2 I wouldn't have imagined.
Great Pen Testing Zipit Distribution from Adrian Crenshaw (irongeek.com)
I've been meaning to split this off into a new post for a while now. Adrian Crenshaw (irongeek.com) built a great z2 linux distro, specifically with the intent of pen-testing. You can grab it here.
It's not only a very cool distribution, (based on a modified rootnexus zipit distro), it's a very cool reminder of the great things we accomplish building off each other's work and sharing information. My only suggestion for his next release is to counter his assumption that metasploit won't be running at a useful speed on the z2. 
Great New Z2 Userland from RootNexus
Although I've been spending my time on other hacking projects besides the Z2 lately, that does not mean there's nothing exciting happening in the Z2 community. Our friend SoundGuy has finished putting together his Z2 root image, and it is slick! After working out some of the kinks with help from our comments (they are practically forums now...) threads, SoundGuy posted up a link to his newest "For the Average User" userland image. Terrific work! He's really got a good eye for usability. More info after the break.
OpenMSX on the Z2 – 100% perfect
Busy busy as always, but still trying new packages as they catch my eye. Not that anyone is surprised at what the Z2 can do after seeing Full Throttle running, but for the MSX lovers out there openMSX runs at 100% speed with sound etc etc. 
Z2 gaming and system update – GBA, GB/GBC, ScummVM (Sam and Max/Full Throttle Full Talkie), auto-login to Fluxbox on boot
So now that the Z2 is running debian and everything is working, it's really easy to install new programs and emulators. They are even automatically added to the fluxbox right-click mouse menu. I haven't changed or recompiled a single C file this time, this is fully "general public" ready! Here's what I've been playing with this weekend.
Z2 quickie video followup – (debian) Bomberclone running (with sound, SDL ,etc) on the Z2
Just a quick followup to the debian image video.
New Video/Tutorial – Flashing a Stock Z2 to Newest Debian Image (Windows edition)
So you've only got a windows machine handy, and you want to flash your Z2 to the newest debian (apt-get! no more cross-compiling!) image with wireless? This video is for you. Full Text after the jump.
New Video – HULU on the Zipit Z2
And not just HULU, anything that you can dynamically transcode and serve on the network, you can watch or listen to on the Z2. 30 rock on the Zipit Z2? Oh YES THANKS. Instructions after the jump.