njbfs - Linux file system for Creative Nomad Jukebox (NJB)

News

02 Feb 2002 - The next version of njbfs will be embedded into "Audiotracks", a framework for MP3 device drivers and file systems for the Linux kernels. An initial release will be available within the next week.

12 Nov 2001 - Version 0.2 released. Reading and writing tracks is working.

23 Oct 2001 - Version 0.1 released

What is njbfs?

njbfs is a Linux kernel module to enable Linux users getting full access to the NJB. njbfs wants be become an alternative for Linux users, without the need of Creative PlayCenter software for Microsoft Windows.

This project is not related to Creative. Creative uses a hidden protocol for uploading and downloading tracks, and a software called "Playcenter" for Windows to manage the NJB. The consequences are that customers are bound to Microsoft Windows. This project want to change the situation.

njbfs is also the starting point for "Audiotracks", a framework for MP3 device drivers and file systems for the Linux kernel.

Why a file system? Why not a userspace tool like libnjb?

A file system hides the protocol which is needed to communicate with the NJB and is transparent to the user. It should not be up to the user to think about specific NJB file handling. With a file system like njbfs, transferring MP3 tracks to the NJB is possible using a shell with the commonly used commands like cp or mv.

The NJB consists of a harddisk attached with a separate firmware driving a propriatery file system. To implement a Linux solution, the njbfs is a kind of a 'mirror' filesystem, using a cache mechanism on the Linux host, and remotely controlling the NJB sending the appropriate USB control codes. The control codes were reverse-engineered using USB sniffing tools. The original PlayCenter software was untouched and was not used to implement the file system.

Call for support

If you want to join the project, to learn Linux kernel file system hacking, or if you have MP3 devices you want a driver for, please contact me. Any request and help is much appreciated.

I need support from people who have already written MP3 portable device drivers to establish the "Audiotracks" file system kernel framework project on a wide base. The goal is to include as many MP3 devices as possible.

Engineers of Creative, please help. Contact me if you want to donate to this project. The njbfs shall be able to manage multiple NJB connected to a Linux host. Herewith I kindly request Creative to supply me with another Jukebox beside the one I own, for the sole purpose of testing njbfs multiple device capability.

License

Copyright (C) 2001,2002 Jörg Prante

This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA

Contact

Jörg Prante (joerg@infolinux.de)

Sourceforge Resources

Please get documents, mailing lists, and much more info from the Sourceforge resources.

Downloads

Below is a list of all files of the project. Before downloading, you may want to read Release Notes and ChangeLog (accessible by clicking on release version).

Links