so the only way I could get all the files onto the micro sd card was to extract the tar.bz2 file to it's own directory, and then copy the contents of that directory to the micro sd card using this command:
cp -a /home/name/Documents/Zipit/. /media/Zipit
This placed the filesystem onto my card, and the zipit boots up into the new userland, but I cannot get the mouse or any keys to work at all. I tried doing what Snubs said and pressed the 'option' button to give control to the d-pad, but nothing happens. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, when I do get the mouse working, I still have the problem of not being able to type a % sign and need to figure out how to be able to do that.