For what it's worth, while the
development guide might seem daunting or intimidating, it really is very simple to compile Rockbox.
If you run a linux based operating system (preferably Debian or a Debian derivative, like one of the many Ubuntu variants) it is quite literally is a case of just
cutting and pasting a couple of commands if you want it to be. It isn't overly necessary to actually understand what you are doing during the compilation process.
And even if you don't run a Linux based operating system on your host by default, there are options available to you. You can do all this on a LiveUSB with a persist file if you wanted to, and not modify your host at all.
Alternatively, we even
provide a virtual machine image with all the necessary build packages and version control software already installed, and the toolchains already built. If you are not using a Linux based operating system on your host, this would be the most desirable method for a novice/casual user.
All you would need to do if you used the supplied virtual machine image is:
# Make sure you're in your home directory (for the sake of ease of reference)
cd ~
# Get the Rockbox source
git clone git://git.rockbox.org/rockbox
# Change to the Rockbox source directory
cd ~/rockbox
# Make your image asset changes
<varies by personal preference>
# Make a build directory for the sake of cleanliness in your build tree, and switch to it
mkdir build && cd build
# Start the configure process
../tools/configure
# Follow the device selection and build type prompts offered by the configure UI
<varies by device type, UI is entirely self explanatory>
# Build the Rockbox binary
make -j fullzip
Then you would just extract the resultant rockbox.zip to the root of your device, disconnect the device, and Rockbox will detect the update and prompt to reboot. There is no need to rebuild or reinstall the bootloader.
[Saint]
EDIT: Please,
DO NOT use the
Windows CygWin/Interix based development routes detailed in the linked development guide, this method is considered deprecated, builds are not tested against these methods, and have not been for a very long time. Use of CygWin or Interix Windows unix layers is convoluted, performance is
VERY poor, and compilation will almost certainly fail. Wasting what would likely be several hours of your time.
Using a LiveUSB image of a Linux distribution with a persist file, or a virtual machine image running in Windows, is infinitely more practical and performant, and is pretty much guaranteed.