With the holidays playing time burglar to my regular schedule of combing the web, I missed this gem which our sister Engadget jumped aboard. Linux is making its way on to the Zune, one baby step at a time. According to a forum post Mys Videl of Zune Boards has managed to build a boot-loader and compile a working Linux kernel for Microsoft's Zune, which eventually could open up a world of possibilities for the device.

Videl writes of her milestone, "The way to boot it to the Zune right now is very complicated, takes some time, and is risky if you don't know how to do it. I won't be releasing this until there is no risk to Zune users when they use Zune Linux. We are looking for graphics people who are willing to make logos [...] for Zune Linux, we also will be looking for Beta Testers when it comes to that point. "

If all the details can be reverse engineered, the Zune makes a pretty capable piece of hardware for a linux based personal media player. With the Zune's built in WiFi some not-so-Microsoft approved features could be added to the device, such as the ability to search and download music from the web anywhere a hotspot is available, or to use the Zune as a wider ranging multi-function device. Frankly with wi-fi, a fast processor, large screen and 30GB of storage space the possibilities are almost endless.