I just got an Empeg from the TTony group buy and am getting ready to start some hardcore uploading. What should I be installing software wise first? I see an Emplode 1.03 on the offiicial site, but there is no version number ANYWHERE on the CD label that came with it, or on the CD itself. Then there's talk on a version 2 but it's beta.... is it advisable to install?

It is best to install the beta. The quality of the empeg beta is far above just about any other beta I have seen. You will be missing lots of great features if you don't install it.

Likewise, what firmware upgrades should I be doing and where can I get them? The official site doesn't have any mention of firmware, only Emplode stuff. Do I want the consumer image, or is that for linux only?

You need to visit http://www.empeg.com/cgi-bin/display.cgi?section=downloads&id=4

Download Emplode and install it.

Now download the Rio Car image, you probably want the consumer image for now.

Now use the upgrade tool that Emplode installed to upgrade the unit with the new image (you need to connect to the player with the serial cable to do this).