Well Ive got a bit further,
I've got eclipse working on ubuntu 11.10, I'm able to import PdCore and circle of fiths and run them in AVD. I had to make sure I had the right Java files and add repositories to get ADT working.
I now need to import the DroidParty project. I can get the first script to work:
`./convert-app-name mysynth "My Synthesizer"`
but I cant get the second to work, `android update project --path .`. I get the error android: command not found.
I realise this is a problem with the system path to the SDK, Ive edited bash.rc and added the path to the SDK tools and platform-tools directories but I'm having no joy.