Want to see more Hacks in Action? Follow me on Google+
I never quite got into Twitter. The value proposition just wasn't there for me and it always seemed like a passing thing. Google+ on the other hand has already given me infinite photo storage, I can put animated gifs in my stream (oh the opportunity for last-frame gif bombs!), and I can choose exactly what messages go out to which subscribers based on circles. So I'm on Google+, and that's where I post a good chunk of my smaller hacks and tidbits of life. Want to know what I've been up to between posts? Curious to see my hacks in action? Want to get a sneak peek at my hacks before they're available to the public? Then you'd better start following me on Google+ hadn't you? Just head over to profiles.google.com/huntergdavis and add me to a circle today! Need an invite to Google+? Just ask!
Hacks.. Now Available to Purchase Online
Hacks is a collection of my most popular tutorials, scripts, tweaks, Zipit Z2 work, and source code. Within these forty some chapters reside some of my most interesting work, and certainly some of the most viewed tutorials and hacks on the Internet today. Featured on Hackaday, Engadget, Make online, and hundreds of other blogs and forums, these hacks are meant to enlighten and entertain while providing the reader with concrete examples and launching platforms for future work. Whether you are wanting to reorganize your desktop, reboot your modem, port software to a new platform, administer a Linux box, or just entertain yourself on a lazy sunday, you’ll find something of interest in the chapters ahead. At just over 200 pages on most eReader devices at 1.99$ it’s a terrific bargain and an excellent reference guide. I'll be updating the permalink page (top left in my WordPress theme) when the Amazon and B&N links go live sometime this evening or tomorrow morning.
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.