Full blown linux alpine on Kindle Scribe?

[juegos]

Given that Kindle Scribe is now jailbreakable with WinterBreak, would this still work on the latest firmware?

https://github.com/schuhumi/alpine_kindle

Given:

"alpine linux extension and many others probably don't work properly after fw >=5.13.6 as new fw versions need hf binaries."

I am afraid to test this out given there are 2 recent posts (e.g. this one from yesterday) of people seemingly bricking their device whilst dealing with alpine linux - so would appreciate feedback from anyone with more in-depth knowledge on this...

Thanks!

[Ooonana]

Do you mean latest software by 5.17.x?
if you do here is an answer: it wont work. In order to run Alpine you need kterm to work but kterm won't work at the latest software. If you really want to use it consider downgrading to software that can launch kterm.
P.S. Even though you manage to run alpine, the alpine terminal wont work due to apk error. Contact me if you want to fix it.

[kbarni]

Alpine Linux perfectly works on FW 5.17+.

1. Jailbreak the Kindle, install KUAL.
2. Install the HF version of kterm
3. Read the install instructions and warnings!
3. Download Alpine for Kindle from the Releases page
4. Run alpine.sh from kterm, then startgui.sh.
5. Enjoy!

Optional: Create your own alpine image using the create-release.sh script, as described in the documentation. (this is recommended if you want to install packages, as apk is not working on the provided image.)

These methods are tested and safe.

[juegos]

Originally Posted by kbarni

Alpine Linux perfectly works on FW 5.17+.

1. Jailbreak the Kindle, install KUAL.
2. Install the HF version of kterm
3. Read the install instructions and warnings!
3. Download Alpine for Kindle from the Releases page
4. Run alpine.sh from kterm, then startgui.sh.
5. Enjoy!

Optional: Create your own alpine image using the create-release.sh script, as described in the documentation. (this is recommended if you want to install packages, as apk is not working on the provided image.)

These methods are tested and safe.

Thank you very much! Regarding apk not working, are you saying, if I for instance want to install vnc server / client, I should add that directly in the create-release.sh script? Rather than apk install afterwards? Or if I build it myself in a linux environment then apk will work? (on a sidenot, I wonder how hard it'd be to make that build script work on an M1 Macbook but I'll probably spin up a Linux VM, afraid of messing around too much with it and possibly bricking the kindle with my own custom build).

[juegos]

p.s. say if I run Alpine, and I run out of battery whilst doing so and I plug it in and the Kindle restarts, is there a risk of bricking the device due to not having cleanly exited Alpine? Thanks!

[Aadvik5951]

It works (Alpine Linux).

[Aadvik5951]

It does work on the latest firmware and Kindle. I am sending this from Alpine Linux.

[juegos]

Originally Posted by Aadvik5951

It does work on the latest firmware and Kindle. I am sending this from Alpine Linux.

Awesome! It also works here.

Have you tried to get VNC running by any chance? Either the vnc client to connect to your own laptop and mirror its screen, or the vnc server?

I tried the client, and managed to make it connect to my laptop but it then froze and I had to reboot the Kindle (perhaps it ran out of memory given it just has 1 gig of RAM).

[Aadvik5951]

The image hosting service did not work.
So,
Here it is

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Aadvik5951

It does work on the latest firmware and Kindle. I am sending this from Alpine Linux.

You need to attach the image.

[Aadvik5951]

How is it in colour?
The image is the latest one at https://github.com/schuhumi/alpine_kindle/releases/tag/v0.2-alpha2

[Aadvik5951]

How do you get the terminal to work properly?

[Aadvik5951]

@JSWolf how did you get the image?

[kaspar]

If we can't get OTG USB keyboard support working on the Scribe (or Bluetooth would be even better), I think a battery powered Raspberry Pi (lowest power model with Wifi and Bluetooth) running a keyboard/mouse sharing host (client on Scribe) is all that is needed for this. Then running a native word processor like Abiword on the Scribe is perfect. No VNC needed. Although a hotkey for screen refresh like on the Pomera DM30 would be ideal (it's F12 on the Pomera). To remove artifacts.

I would pay $100 towards a developer getting OTG USB or Bluetooth keyboard support working on the Scribe. I'm sure others would contribute as well. The work has already been started if you search the forums, but it was about a decade ago if I remember correctly.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Aadvik5951

@JSWolf how did you get the image?

If you take the link you wrapped in [IMG]...[/IMG] tags and either copy/paste it into your browsers address bar or wrap it in [URL]...[/URL], it will work. A lot of image sites no longer allow 3rd party viewing of images. My personal preference is uploading the image to MobileRead using the paperclip or Manage Attachments. Too many message with old images that were loaded to sites that no longer exist or no longer allow 3rd party image viewing.

https://postimg.cc/dZ95pH1s/21729c7c