Domain: handhelds.org
Stories and comments across the archive that link to handhelds.org.
Comments · 488
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if it is about linux go ipaq...
there is a very good article on linux o'reillynet about ipaq running linux...
compaq hosts and sponsors the handhelds.org site, which is a community resource center, primarily for developers, hosting Web, FTP, CVS, and mailing-list services.. the site focuses on linux under strongarm SA11xx processors, such as the ipaq and the yopy, but does not mention work on other processors such as MIPS or 68xxx...
there are few distributions running well on ipaq:
#1# familiar distribution, a lightweight package with python and XFree86 with anti-aliased fonts, using the blackbox window manager. familiar also includes a new packaging system called ipkg, which is like RPM or DEB packages for desktop Linux. compaq had at the beginning its own hh distribution but after a while it swap to familiar...
#2# an extension of familiar is initimate... its goal is to provide "full-blown" distribution including doom, konqueror, mpeg players and stuff like that... but for all of that u will need extra microdrive coz by default ipaq doesn't have enough space...
there are few others but there are not free like trolltech's Qt Palmtop Environment or transvirtual technology's pocketlinux which goal is to provide a java runtime instead of pure linux environment....
imho when u have ssh (included by default) and rxvt w/ gprs modem it is enough to go with it ;) and with familiar dis u will have that and much much more... -
Best choice is dependant on what you want.I see a lot of people saying ignore the Yopy and iPaq and go for a Palm or compatible. But really it comes down to what you want.
If you want an out of the box PDA to do truly PDA like things, get a Palm. Palm's are simple machines with simple OS's that have long battery life and are hard to beat for that task.
If you want to carry Windows around in your pocket get a WinCE machine. You won't get the battery life but you get Windows!
If you want to have a Linux PDA, or in my case want a POSIX compatible PDA to run your own programs on, then either go with the Agenda VR3 or check out Handhelds.org on how to build your own on an iPaq. I don't like Yopy either because of the choice of W over X. Keep in mind that you are not going to get the battery life, but you can run far more complicated programs than you can on a Palm.
Just choose the right tool for your needs.
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yopy is unreliableYopy has not been doing well in providing a system to its customers.
At this point, yopy has only just recently been released, while ipaq is almost a year old (yopy promised that it would be ready last year at the beginning of the summer), even though their specs are almost identical.
Ipaq has had the time necessary for the testing of a thousand eyes (for bugs), while yopy hasn't. Also, ipaq keeps getting better. Yopy is still trying to get off the ground.
And that's making the assumption that all things are equal in terms of development. But they're not. The operating system for the yopy is an obscure distribution of Linux that they made mostly themselves, including a windowing system called W (which they didn't make). Forget using all of your own graphical programs - they won't work on W, only on X. Its almost as though they don't actually have Linux, only something that vaguely resembles Linux.
The ipaq comes with Windows CE, which has the added benefit of actually working most of the time, and having LOTS of developers. You can even download free development kits for it in various programming languages, including C++ and Java.
You can switch platforms, in which case you can use a more normal distro of Linux that actually has X. And recently, you can switch back (check here for info).
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The link should go here:
The above link for Jim's work on the iPaq should go to http://www.handhelds.org
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iPAQ Linux alternative - Scream
I am a co-author of "Scream" which is a front-end for madplay in the familiar distribution of linux for the iPAQ.
Scream is written in python, utilizing pygtk and libglade. I've just added Icecast support with Shoutcast support forthcoming.
Scream is available at http://cvs.handhelds.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/screa m/
Over the weekend, I used it for 3+ hours in my car on a roadtrip usingt a cassette adapater available at Radio Shack (tunes on microdrive). Worked well for my purposes.
License is GPL.
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iPAQ Linux alternative - Scream
I am a co-author of "Scream" which is a front-end for madplay in the familiar distribution of linux for the iPAQ.
Scream is written in python, utilizing pygtk and libglade. I've just added Icecast support with Shoutcast support forthcoming.
Scream is available at http://cvs.handhelds.org/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/screa m/
Over the weekend, I used it for 3+ hours in my car on a roadtrip usingt a cassette adapater available at Radio Shack (tunes on microdrive). Worked well for my purposes.
License is GPL.
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Can be done equally easy using Linux...
There is a very nice iPAQ distribution called intimate which is semi-based off of the Debian distribution (yes you can even add the debian-arm source to it's sources.list file). This "intimate" distribution can be operated off a microdrive (or nfs-root using wireless which I'm doing). Check out this page for some screen-shots. At the bottom you'll see that this is a great candidate for mpeg playing. At my university, I use the wireless network for my ipaq to stream mp3s using a distribution mounted remotely using nfs!
Instructions for loading Linux on the iPAQ can be found here: http://familiar.handhelds.org/familiar/releases/la test/install/H3600/install.html. Do what it says, then use ipkg to install the package "intimateboot". Finally, take a look at this page: http://ipaq.secret.org.uk/intimate/install.html. The current base is at about 200 megs uncompressed. There should be a new version coming out in the next few days with a smaller base, but a much more dpkg-conforming installation process! -
Some Yopy linksYopy in the news
http://slashdot
Company sites, product information .org/article.pl?sid=00/04/27/0858200&mode=thre ad
http://linuxtoday.com/stories/17660.html
http://www.geeknews.org/news/fe b00/newsitem090.html
http://www.palmstation.com/ view_article.py?article=1786
http://www.pdabuzz.com/Features/Yopy.html
http://slashdot .org/article.pl?sid=00/02/27/1027237&mode=thre ad
http://www.pcworld.com /pcwtoday/article/0,1510,15486,00.html
http://www.ch ip.de/PC2D/PC2DB/PC2DBA/pc2dba.htm?id=323&ress ort=20 (German)
http://www.twomobile.com/new_032200_y opy.html (obviously they didn't credit the source of the pictures and video footage!)
http://ore illy.linux.com/pub/a/network/2000/05/05/magazine/L inuxPDA.html
http://www.handheldmed.com/code/news /yopi1.htm
http://www.gnn.de/0005/7603.html (German)
http://www.p cwelt.de/content/news/newprodukte/2000/05/xn090500 003.html (German)http://www.sem.samsung.co.kr/ eng/product/digital/pda/
Links to other Yopy and general Linux-PDA ressources
http://www.gmate.co.krhttp://www.palmtopmagazin.de/board/linux Discussion about Linux-PDAs (German)
http://www.palmtopmagazin.de/news/linux Linux-PDA news (German)
http://www.theyopy.de German Yopy fan site
http://www.handhelds.org Linux-Development for Compaq iPaq
http://www.yopy.org Another Yopy fan site -
Re:If I had a PDA...
Um, no.
Linux PDA builds are not CL-dependant at all. And none run a big bloated X either. Most run W or the embedded version of graphics toolkits, like QT. And those that do run X run something like Xfbdev, which weighs in at 600KB. There's also a linux version of graphitti called Xscribble which most find to be superior to graphitti.
Linux on PDA's is nothing like linux on the desktop. This is actually one confusion that makes me think maybe the whole GNU/Linux thing would be a good idea after all. Linux is just the kernel. Take away the bloat of most distributions, trim the kernel way down, and you have an graphical interface in a few hundred KB, but with the freedom to port most of your linux apps if you should have the desire. I know of at least one person who's using this flexibility to take advantage of the low power draw of an IPAQ to build a wearable computer. If the applications like PIM's were up to par with what's available for palm, linux would have the potential to be MUCH more useful on a PDA. -
Re:If I had a PDA...
Um, no.
Linux PDA builds are not CL-dependant at all. And none run a big bloated X either. Most run W or the embedded version of graphics toolkits, like QT. And those that do run X run something like Xfbdev, which weighs in at 600KB. There's also a linux version of graphitti called Xscribble which most find to be superior to graphitti.
Linux on PDA's is nothing like linux on the desktop. This is actually one confusion that makes me think maybe the whole GNU/Linux thing would be a good idea after all. Linux is just the kernel. Take away the bloat of most distributions, trim the kernel way down, and you have an graphical interface in a few hundred KB, but with the freedom to port most of your linux apps if you should have the desire. I know of at least one person who's using this flexibility to take advantage of the low power draw of an IPAQ to build a wearable computer. If the applications like PIM's were up to par with what's available for palm, linux would have the potential to be MUCH more useful on a PDA. -
Re: IPAQ information for those who don't know
Why the fuck would you want to run linux on a palmtop?
From the handhelds.org FAQ: "Why open handhelds?"
"Commercial proprietary handhelds are optimized with respect to a couple of narrow application and market niches. We feel that loosing the energy of the open source community and the interactivity of the web in this space will cause many new applications to be explored and developed. No single company can afford enough programmers to outpace the research and open source communities in this regard."
Personally, it's because I want to be able to write programs for it without first having to send large amounts of my limited resources to Redmond for the compiler, etc. That, and my wife works for Them and loves her Jornada, and I'd like an iPaq running Linux just to piss her off
:-)Alas, we just paid our taxes and it seems an iPaq is not in my immediate future...
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Re:All things Compaq [slightly offtopic]I have had no problems with my iPAQ. There have of course been stories about dust under the screen, styluses getting stuck, etc. However, all seem to agree that Compaq has acted admirably in fixing these problems. For example, everyone who has had dust under the screen has simply been able to send the iPAQ in to Compaq and they repair it and send it right back.
There is only one issue I have with my iPAQ: the fact that it can only detect one button press at a time. That is really the only complaint I have (it's making it harder for me to finally beat Super Mario Bros. 3
;-) If it was really a problem, though, I'd just go get one of these. In fact, I may get one anyway, just because they're SO DARN COOL!I am very impressed with Compaq's willingness to help out with porting Linux to the iPAQ. The handhelds.org site is hosted by them and they provide technical specs for the iPAQ to porters.
Overall, I'm extremely happy with my iPAQ. It's a great product, don't deprive yourself because of some silly vendetta.
P.S. The best way to get an iPAQ is to simply go down to your local Best Buy (they probably already have a sample unit for you to play with) or other tech store and get on a waiting list. Compaq is doling out iPAQs in small increments to retail chains as they become available. Don't fiddle around with online retailers or whatever. I got my iPAQ in Febuary from my local Best Buy, after waiting a little more than a month.
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Re:Ipaq + MIT = -Linux
Here.
-russ -
Re:sweet.
Handhelds.org has a WIKI. Search it for "stroke" or "scrib" and you'll find multiple handwriting recognition apps.
-russ -
Not top-secret
Those of us working on Linux handhelds have known about it since Jamey started designing it. The main problem with putting it into small-scale production is paying Compaq Research for it. They're not set up to take people's money. Plus, it's not FCC certified since it's not a production device.
-russ -
Perl 6As a perl scripter, I should probably keep up on perl development. A few `features' I hope I find in Perl 6 are:
Threading - MP3::Napster, a popular module written by Lincoln Stein requires a threaded perl interpreter; I happen to use this module for my project (spam, spam [grin]).
More perl ports - I would like to see perl ported to PalmOS; some nodes on PerlMonks reveal that there is a lot of interest in this; Although I sometimes wish they would take a look at the projects on handhelds.org.
Dusk begins to realize that he is ranting....
Anyway, I am sure that I will be pleased with the results; Saint Larry will not let us down
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Re:Best way to get an iPAQ
The audio is a little more limited than it has to be. They chose to use the built-in audio capability you have when you combine an SA1110 and an SA1111 -- this is 16 bit 11khz. So, although it has all the processor oomph you need, it won't make much of an mp3 player.
A few corrections here: the iPAQ doesn't use the SA-1111; it has a Philips UDA1341 codec attached directly to serial port 4 on the SA-1110 processor. Take a look at the hardware design description, section 1.6, for more information. The codec, which is used in a number of designs (including Spot), will go up to 44.1kHz (16-bit, stereo). This is true even when used with the SA-1111, which supports the same sampling quality.
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Linux in your hand.BUT -- I saw the top-o-the-line iPAQ the other day w/ the wireless modem add-on, and, frankly, I'm impressed. First off, it's color & sleek (m505/Visor Prism matches it there), it's got a PCMCIA (or whatever they call it these days) expansion module, which means the wireless modem can also work on my laptop
And you can run Linux/ARM on it, with XFree86. That plus a 1GB IBM Microdrive is a good thing.
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Re:So sorry, Palm Inc.Not a fair comparison. I, for example, plan to replace Wince with Linux as soon as I can get my hands on an iPaq 3600. That means Microsoft will get another sale, making them look good compared to Palm when in fact I'd rather buy the iPaq empty. Does anyone know how the iPaq sells vs the Jornada? Important question because no Palm or Jornada sales are to Linux buffs, but quite a few iPaq sales are. Any way to estimate the pro-Microsoft skew in the data by the number of downloads from handhelds.org?
If I have to buy an OS license I'll never use, I'd rather my money go to Palm, but of course I'd rather not waste my money that way at all.
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Re:Different Focus
Have you tried any of the WinCE 3.0 devices? (iPAQ, newer Jornada's, etc.)
They've improved things a lot... I was a loyal palm user (hey! get your mind out of the gutter...) since the PalmPilot, but I got an iPAQ and it's got everything the Palms do but with much more horsepower. MS finally realized people don't want a "windows" interface on a handheld, and cleaned things up a lot (I tried out some of the WinCE 2.x based ones as well, and there's NO way I'd trade in a Palm for that). The start bar is still there for "quick access" things, but everything is arranged better in the folders now to give a view not unlike the folder-based layout of the palmpilot's app manager.
Despite the fact that I'm not a fan of Microsoft, I must say it's pretty useful, the handwriting recognition is 99% like the palm's, and you can back up the flash and put linux on it if you feel like tinkering.
:) The new "familiar" distribution for the iPAQ is starting to get useful as something other than a development base. -
Re:Memory, eh, DRAM, hmph?I get about 3 days using it as a straight PDA, taking notes, calendar, Pocket Word and Excel, even a few games of Solitaire.
I guess you don't keep the iPaq on all the time? Even the official capacity reported by Compaq is just 12 hours with an "average use pattern" (with WinCE).
Deep sleep mode? You mean not switched on?
Yes, I think that's what they mean with "deep sleep".
It seems that the processor has 3 power consumption modes: running, idle, and sleep mode. The processor is usually "idle" most of the time, when the machine is turned on. One table at www.handhelds.org reports some 400mW power consumption (in Linux?) when you do something with it, which would mean about 2-3 hours of use (950mW lithium batteries).
In deep sleep mode the machine uses almost no power at all. Linux can currently be put to sleep, but...eh...the poor penquin can't be awakened from it... 8-o
... so you probably have to reset it and lose the DRAM contents (?)...Linux also currently uses about 20 times more power in deep sleep than WinCE, and 150mW more in idle mode. It seems that they are actively working on these problems.
Disclaimer: I don't know really anything about iPaq, but have been trying to find these facts just to make the decision whether to buy or not.
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Re:Linux application development for Handhelds
I've been following the mail list on http://handhelds.org for a while now, and I plan on buying an iPaq as soon as I can. It seems to me that the basic problem is not that there aren't a lack of applications (everyday it seems somebody reports that they have compiled and are running some standard Linux application on thier iPaq, like QuakeForge for instance) but rather most people are waiting for a stable base distribution for the iPaq before packages are prepared and released for the general public.
Although anybody can and does compile and run pretty much anything they want to on thier iPaq, in an effort to not reinvent the wheel the major developers on handhelds.org have settled on distribution called Familiar. Since there are constant major improvements (deep sleep and a flashdisk journalling fs, for example) everybody seems to be just waiting until Familiar gets stable, and I get the impression that as soon as that happens then all the regular users will immediately jump in with prepared application packages.
Also, the open PIM software from http://www.agendacomputing.com is becoming the quasistandard PIM package on the iPaq.
James -
Re:Alternate OSs
And of course, the possibility of an X-windows setup on a palm is entertaining as well. (and probably well in hand)
1. It's not 'X-windows', it's the 'X windowing system', or 'X' for short. 'X-window' might also be acceptible, but it should never be written with an 's' on the end.
2. There have been setups of GNU/linux and X running on the Ipaq H3600 since june 2000. (X is not yet running on palms, afaik).
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Same iPaq
People are already hacking the existing iPaq by adding another DRAM and flash chip, effectively doubling their RAM and flash storage. They had all 64MB RAM working fine under Linux, but WinCE would not recognize anything past 32MB. Check it out http://www.handhelds.org/z/wiki/UpgradingDRAM
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Re:Linux application development for Handhelds
My company, Century Software, (shameless self plug), has been working for many months to bring Linux and the graphics engine Microwindows to the Ipaq platform (www.microwindows.org). Amid the kernel tweeking (thanks to the fine folks at www.handhelds.org, and basic graphics apps (load monitor, clock, keyboard, scribble, etc...), we have also tried to create some PIM apps (e-mail, etc...), and I have developed a few observations.
1) - Kernel work is sexy, designing PIM suites is not. A majority of the members of the open source community are willing to do kernel and driver work on their spare time, but precious few are willing to make a datebook without compensation.
2) - Thus, it falls more to companies that are able to pay engineers to work on PIM applications. However, these days engineers are expensive, and the companies are unwilling to pay an engineer 40 bucks an hour, and then turn around and give the suites away. Thats has nothing to do with open source or code sharing, thats just business.
3) - Because of this, the only other solution would be for the companies to try to sell the PIM suites (either on a royalty basis to corporations, or directly to the consumer). And then they come right up against Palm, Microsoft, and the other big giants that have more organized marketing networks and market share.
The solution? You got me! Many kudos and $$ to the company that figures it out first. Until then, at least I can still play Doom on my Ipaq!!! -
There is more to comeHello,
As a researcher working closely with the Compaq people I know there is even more to come. We are working on stuff that will be superior to the longrun technology of TransMeta and the SpeedStep technology of Intel. download research paper.
The iPAQ people are very Linux friendly, check out the website backed by several Compaq people. With a wireless link on the iPAQ such as GPRS (European GSM packet solution) it is possible to browse the Internet with your favorite browser.
With XScribble you can use it just like your PalmPilot. To only difference is the increased weight, better display and powerfull processor.
Johan (j@mp3.nl)
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There is more to comeHello,
As a researcher working closely with the Compaq people I know there is even more to come. We are working on stuff that will be superior to the longrun technology of TransMeta and the SpeedStep technology of Intel. download research paper.
The iPAQ people are very Linux friendly, check out the website backed by several Compaq people. With a wireless link on the iPAQ such as GPRS (European GSM packet solution) it is possible to browse the Internet with your favorite browser.
With XScribble you can use it just like your PalmPilot. To only difference is the increased weight, better display and powerfull processor.
Johan (j@mp3.nl)
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Re:"mindshare"-seeking as a business strategy?I wonder if moving to Linux in order to gain "mindshare" is becoming an accepted business strategy.
Well, for the PDA market this might work out very well. I'm actually quite excited about the new interest companies are showing for Linux based PDAs. (Compaq, Samsung, Sharp to name a few).
Palm made it easy to develop software for its OS and the number of available Palm applications made it a success. Linux enthusiasts will likely replicate (and maybe even exceed) this number for a Linux PDA.
The interesting thing about this perspective is that Linux won't come over the server onto John Smith's desktop, but maybe over PDAs. It will be the first time that 'normal' people (the majority of computer users) will see Linux doing the job.
But then again, they won't really care.
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Sharp has some great stuff up its sleeves
my ex-boyfriend interned for the Sharp last summer in Tokyo (yes, he's Japanese *g*), and they have been doing some very impressive stuff that will probably be rolled back soon into the handhelds.org project. The wireless model is what's really amazing. My ex-boyfriend got a prototype unit as a souvenir, and he has been able to stream his mp3s and videos from his webserver whereever he goes, simply using his GSM card. This unit is sure to leech off marketshare from Palm and PocketPC when it comes out.
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Re:I am going to get flamed to death for this one.Whaddaya mean it's a CE device?
BTW, the iPaq is quite nice... Never actually owned one, but I've played with them quite a bit. (If you need anyone to test one for you, let me know...
:-D )
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speaking of the iPaq
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HHLinux Blackbox Distro
If you want Linux for your iPaq that runs X, check out the latest blackbox "Familiar Project" release. It's Debian based, runs a customized version of blackbox, has python embedded, allows system stettings to be saved to flash and runs the Agenda PIM software. Details here. Many interesting things are happening on the Linux iPaq front. handhelds.org has the lowdown... Cpt_Kirks
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Re:PalmVNC
Palms are overpriced and ugly. Get a compaq ipaq instead and put linux on it
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A semi official commend from handhelds.org
Hello All Slashdotters (/ME puts on flame retardant suit, just in case)
I just want to say hi. I am a sysadmin at handhelds.org and would like to clarify/expand on some stuff mentioned above.
Note: all of the following comments are mine and do not represent the handhelds.org community as a whole or part
First of all I'd like to say that handhelds.org is not an IPAQ only community and we are currently looking to setup websites/mailing lists/etc that will help anyone looking to port linux to ANY handheld device. So if you are a developer looking to put up your work, please let me know (edwardam@handhelds.org).
The Handhelds.org (hh.org) iPAQ distro is also the base for the pocketlinux distro, they just add their java environment and get rid of our X server (they write directly to the fb), which in my opinion is a technical mistake.
The hh.org distrobution is very minimalistic at this time. We are stsill working on some core issues (that will benefit QTE & pocketlinux) like Advanced Power Management (what we have now I would not consider Advanced), X screen rotation (what we have now is a gross hack; some of the people working on this are Keith Packard and Jim Gettys), jffs (so you can write to the fs; currently we are using cramfs a read-only comrpessed filesystem) and jffs compression (so we can get the same storage we are used to with cramfs)
Our X server sources have been rolled back into the main Xfree 4 tree. Jim Gettys has made a lot of size improvements to xfree and it's xlibs, and I believe there is still more improvement to be made. So everyone will benefit from the work. And let me just say that X is NOT TOO BIG for a handhel!!!! (heck even IBM's Linux Watch runs X.
Lets see what else: We are also replacing xterm with rxvt ('cause xterm is too big).
There is also work going on (with xstroke and xscribble) to do full screen character recognition, so all of the focus issues related to text input will go away (No popups and stuff, just write what you want; Eat your heart out CE). As a matter of fact xstroke is what I currently use on my ipaq
Some other things of interest:
Languages like tcl, python, perl and java are being worked on. One of which may make the standard distro at some point. P.S Just use python (that's my baby), it already has support for unicode, xml, gtk and libglade on the ipaq.
Various people (Alan Cox included) are working on several Window Managers that are PDA specific like pdawm, swm and various hacks on aewm and other.
There is of course NO timetable for any of the above.
edwardam@handhelds.org :-) -
Re:A Hard Drive is REQUIRED
IBM micro-drives work in an iPaq, under Linux or otherwise. The battery life is not so hot as I understand it. If you are really interested read the mailing list archives on handhelds.org
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Re:Handspring already has much of this...I mean, it's not like I can port Quake III for Linux to my PalmPalm cellphone.
Are you sure?
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Yopy =Vapor
I'm sorry to burst everyone's bubble, but Gmate is yet to deliver ANY Yopys (but man, do they ever promise: shipping in March, then May, then August, then October, then 2001, then...). And now, they are pushing a Wearable? I think this is just a response to recent developments in the iPaq community. There is a new expansion sleeve due out after the first of the year for the iPaq. The new sleeve will have 2 PCMCIA slots and a CF slot. Here is a picture on the evil empire site. Put a wireless card in one slot, a vga card in another and a microdrive in the last. Add a chording keyboard and a HMD and you have a WEARABLE! The Yopy had potential, but they screwed the pooch taking too long to ship. And the iPaq running Linux is so frickin' cool! I have been freaking out my relatives with video clips and xmame games running on it. Check out handhelds.org Cpt_Kirks
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Re:Linux for all, or maybe not...
Quite frankly, most of them have been hot air. One or two have actually managed to demo a product. None of them seem to have actually produced anything yet though!
Uhh... don't look now, but I think half a dozen companies and groups have Linux running on a handheld device. Oh, wait.... you mean applications, huh? You know, correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that Linux was an operating system.... hmmm... I can see where you got confused, with the whole Microsoft mess, since all of their applications are so nicely tied in with the OS.
Designers are attempted to apply a desktop solution to an embeded problem. That never works!
Unix didn't really start out as a desktop solution, did it? But it sure scaled nicely, well enough to cause everyone to forget where it originally came from.
Linux may scale well upwords, but it doesn't scale well downwards
Right.... I hate these modular operating systems. Its such a pain in the ass to cut out uneeded modules.
It seems embeded Linux so far is a total no go. Once again, you're correct. www.handhelds.org only gets 10 or 20 thousand hits a day, anyway. Plus, they don't have Quake running on it yet. You call that an operating system? What a bunch of slackers...
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Re:Handheld OS. Who cares?Why do we care what OS is on our handhelds?
As a user, I might not care. I want good software. I like Free Software for well discussed reasons (see gnu.org), but I wont get into that now.
Now, consider being a developer. I want to write applications which need more power than a Palm offers me. Alternatives I can buy: devices with Epoc or Windows CE. Let's concentrate on Windows.
Development tools for Windows CE are, hm, not cheap, it's costly to get information about the system, the API is different to everything I know from before. This even counts for Windows for Desktop developers, to a certain degree.
I can use PersonalJava. This might work, but there might be application-specific reasons for not using Java.
Alternative: I can put Linux on my iPAQ. Whow, what opportunities does that offer: I can use plain X. I can use PocketLinux with Microwindows and Java. I can use embedded Qt.
Every of these possibilities has counterparts on Desktops. I have access to documentation. I can use tools I know from before. So it's easier to write applications.
Wait a minute. Applications. Wasn't that the user cares about?
I just bought me an iPAQ, and I'm looking forward to putting Linux on it. This Windows CE stuff is so closed, I can't even sync the build-in calendars with my Linux-system (why use a standard format, when you can use outlook). The Palm is much more open here.
To put it very easy: Linux on iPAQ = Openness of PalmOS + Power of a "Windows powered" device.
echo $FAKEMAIL | sed s/soccer/football/ | sed s/" at "/@/ -
iPaq can do 802.11
I'm still waiting for the 802.11 wireless linux handheld capable of displaying remote X applications, but it looks like we're getting closer.
The Compaq iPaq Pocket PC, which can run Linux and X, can be hooked up to an expansion sleeve with a CardBus slot. You can then stick in any old 802.11 card. I've seen it working, and it rocks.
[I do work for Compaq, but I'm a hacker, not a marketroid.]
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Re:Question: IR interface
The short answer is, yes. On the next release of the Century Software Ipaq distro (embedded.censoft.com), we will have IRChat, which allows two Ipaqs to chat and transfer files via the IR (thats being shown at Comdex right now).
And of course, since IRDA is standards based, it follows that the Ipaq will talk to all IRDA capable machines (printers, Palms, etc, etc...).
PS: Many kudos to the good folks at www.handhelds.org for their fine work on the IRDA stuff. Give yourselves a pat on the back, eh? -
Re:Not to mention...Now known as "PocketPC"... Which is really deceptive, because a PDA running Linux is still a "PC" that fits in your "Pocket", thus a "Pocket PC".
;-)
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SUWAIN: Slashdot User Without An Interesting Name -
pictures from handhelds.org
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pictures from handhelds.org
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pictures from handhelds.org
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pictures from handhelds.org
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pictures from handhelds.org
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pictures from handhelds.org
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iPaqCompaq's iPaq is hugely popular with geeks, partially because it's able to run Linux very well - see http://www.handhelds.org. (Handhelds.org is actually sponsored by Compaq.)
I'm surprised this wasn't mentioned anywhere. I would just LOVE to find an iPaq under my Christmas tree.
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SUWAIN: Slashdot User Without An Interesting Name -
Re:Need X support
Read before you post. It already runs X (at least the statement says so, strange they didn't show shots) so that shouldn't be a problem. I wonder if they will develop their own apps or use existing stuff. Does anybody know whether they've collaborated with handhelds.org to reduce the size of X? Seems like a Good Thing.