iPod compatibility on the original iPod was designed for use with Macintosh computers
running Mac OS 9 or Mac OS X but Apple began selling a Windows-compatible iPod too on July 17, 2002.
Apple released a Windows version of iTunes on October 16, 2003; previously, Windows users needed third-party
software such as Musicmatch Jukebox (included with Windows iPods before the release of the Windows version
of iTunes), ephPod, or XPlay to manage the music on their iPods.
iPods originally shipped formatted with Apple’s native filesystem, HFS Plus (Hierarchical File System) and
consequently would only work with Apple’s Mac OS because Windows does not support HFS Plus.
An iPod formatted with HFS Plus is able to serve as a boot disk for a Macintosh computer, allowing one to
have a usable, portable operating system installed on their iPod.
With the advent of the windows-compatible iPod, Apple switched iPod’s default file system to FAT32 because
FAT32 is the only file system that can be used natively with both Mac OS and Windows. Fourth-generation and
earlier iPods could still be made to boot a Macintosh by reformatting their hard disks with HFS Plus.
The iPodLinux project has successfully ported an ARM (Advanced RISC Machine) version of the Linux kernel to
run on iPods. It currently supports first through third generation iPods, and features simple installers for
Mac OS X and Windows. The Linux interface is known as “Podzilla”.
The interface will run on all iPods, however the development team does not support its usage. The iPod uses
standard USB and FireWire mass-storage connectivity, and therefore any system with mass-storage support can
mount it and use it as an external hard drive. The iPod will also charge from any powered USB or Firewire
port, regardless of software support.

Daniel Dwase is the webmaster and editor of www.best-ipod-online.com, a website that provides reviews and buyers guide of iPod Video, Nano, Shuffle and cheap iPod accessories and www.ipod-insider.blogspot.com, a blog that provides the latest news from Apple Computers about iPods.

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