If you are an HTC user, you are more than likely be familiar with RUUs or ROM update utilities, the format in which HTC provides their stock ROMs and updates. For those unfamiliar, they are basically a ROM for a particular device, packaged inside an executable file that is to be run from a PC. While they do provide a safe and easy way for people to update their device, they are somewhat inflexible for anyone who might wish to modify the firmware before flashing it. There's also the issue that .exe files aren't all that much use to anyone not running Windows.

HTC ROM Extractor by XDA Senior Member as i9000 however, can help with the issues. It's a Linux based tool that  allows you to perform various different functions to make better use of the RUU in its original form. Some of the features include:

  • extract rom.zip from the RUU,
  • mount system.img to the filesystem,
  • ability to decompress sparse image system.img and mount it in the file system,
  • recompress system.img

You'll need to have a working installation of libunshield v0.7 or higher in order to proceed. Instructions on how to install that are provided in the thread. So if you're looking to tinker with some RUUs on Linux, check out the original thread for more information.