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Domain: linuxda.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to linuxda.com.

Comments · 31

  1. My thoughts on the right device... by davidconger · · Score: 1 · on Inexpensive Handhelds for Linux?

    For $150 it would be tough. You could go for an older device like the iPAQ 3670 which there used to be a distro of linux for but you would probably have to get one used.

    Of course the PalmOne Zire, Zire 21, and Zire 31 are all under $150. None of dual expansions though (only the 31 has an expansion). More on the Zire 31 here:
    http://www.davespda.com/hardware/pda/palmos/device .php?139

    Sony also had some options, the SL10 and TJ25...but you only get memory stick as the expansion option which I personally don't think is very viable.

    You can try the recommend tool on my site to see specs for all of these: http://www.davespda.com/resources/recommend/index. htm. Sadly the Linux choice won't help you much.

    And here is a another Linux/PDA site you may want to look at: http://www.linuxda.com/

  2. Re:what about Linux by OrangeTide · · Score: 1 · on palmOne Releases Two New Zire Handhelds

    Ah yes. That's based on LinuxDA. That has been around for a while. Essentially it's a very old port of uCLinux designed for systems with an MMU. The hardware is on par with an old PalmIIIx or PalmV.

    There was an emulator for LinuxDA floating around, what's funny about LinuxDA is that it's not Open Source at all. And the software, when I tried it a couple years ago, was quite buggy. Perhaps they have fixed it up. But the hardware for it is almost the same as it was a couple years ago. I'm surprised the company is still in business.

    If anyone is interested in the specs the PowerPlay Vs can be had for $100 US ($130 CA). It has a voice recorder, stereo headset, SD/MMC slot(used as part of the mp3 player and voice recorder function), really old ass 16MHz DragonBall processor (the one with 4 shade grayscale, not the newer one with 16 shade). 2Mb flash for the OS and 8MB of ram.

    You can essentially get the same hardware as a refurb from PalmOne for about $50-$60 as PalmIIIx or PalmV. And since the Linux on it is "funny" and nothing about it is open sourced, it doesn't really offer any advantages over a PalmOS based device. It's too bad really. :(

    The reason I was excited about this Zire is that I know for certain that the Intel ARM (PXA) in it has a good MMU and there are known linux ports for that processor. If you just want to play with the processor Gumstix is a possible choice. Of course the Gumstix board, as cheap as it is for a dev board is actually more expensive than this Zire. Also the Gumstix has no useful I/O ports beyond two serial ports and a USB slave.

    Another option for Linux PDA might be a Sony Clie. They are using Motorola ARMs in them, but I do not know if Linux has been ported to this processor and if this processor has a full MMU. (There are ARMs that don't have an MMU, like ARM thumb).

  3. Linux on Palm by armando_wall · · Score: 3, Interesting · on Palm Changing OS Strategy

    Alternatives to PalmOS, anyone?

    Has anyone tried LinuxDA? It sounds like an interesting alternative, even being a commercial product.

  4. Re:Oh well, a lesson learned by Jay+Carlson · · Score: 5, Informative · on Is the Agenda VR3 Linux PDA Dead?
    Their code base was not all GPL
    No, it isn't all GPL; a lot of it is covered by the LGPL and X11 licenses. :-)

    Seriously, we have the source to every bit on the device. And I mean Open Source. It did take some effort to get the X11 sources, and source for the PMON boot loader, but we have them all. I know this because Brian Webb, who isn't an Agenda employee, rebuilt everything from source to support my snow ABI, which is not binary compatible---if it wasn't rebuilt, it wouldn't work!

    We're still working on automating the rebuild. Right now, doing this rebuild is a manual process, but I think we're a few weeks away from having a big "make World" that will spit out a cross compiler and then a romdisk image.

    Now, if you're fretting about PDAs with components that aren't Open Source, go check out the Zaurus. Its Java implementation is proprietary. (If you want to write apps for it, they have to be GPL'd unless you're a Troll licensee; I guess some people see that as a positive thing.)

    and the device was expensive
    $250 always seemed a touch high to me. I think there's a Linux PDA niche somewhere below the iPaqs, competing directly with low-end Palm devices. LinuxDA is a little too low end for my taste; I want virtual memory. I would think that had Agenda's parent company not stumbled, pricing on the VR3 would have come down.

    I don't remember an NDA on their developer pages.

    (I wish people would stop moderating articles with "overrated/underrated" just to avoid metamod; the parent is at score 3 with no moderation reason. And the parent msg is substantially incorrect.)

  5. Here's the picture! But is this any different... by Tsar · · Score: 3, Interesting · on Linux PDA Part Deux

    From simply running Linux/DA on a Palm V or Vx?

    This page has good pix and stats for the PowerPlay V, though they're all CG. So does this thing really exist, and if so, why? Why not simply load Linux DA O/S for Palm onto a Palm Vx and get all the benefits of a Linux palmtop, including Windows-only desktop synchronization?

    Don't get me wrong—this all looks interesting, but if it's going to be based on cloned last-generation-Palm hardware, and it won't work with a Linux desktop, why is it important or appealing to anyone?

  6. Here's the picture! But is this any different... by Tsar · · Score: 3, Interesting · on Linux PDA Part Deux

    From simply running Linux/DA on a Palm V or Vx?

    This page has good pix and stats for the PowerPlay V, though they're all CG. So does this thing really exist, and if so, why? Why not simply load Linux DA O/S for Palm onto a Palm Vx and get all the benefits of a Linux palmtop, including Windows-only desktop synchronization?

    Don't get me wrong—this all looks interesting, but if it's going to be based on cloned last-generation-Palm hardware, and it won't work with a Linux desktop, why is it important or appealing to anyone?

  7. don't forget the development tools by m@ltese · · Score: 1 · on First Looks at Linux DA PDA


    Nobody seems to mention that their sdk is freely available, including a cross-compiler, all under linux right
    here.

    Seems like the ideal pda for the linux hacker who want to develop custom apps on a Free platform.

  8. The only available color is... by CyberDruid · · Score: 2, Funny · on First Looks at Linux DA PDA

    "Galaxy grey"!? Since when are galaxies grey? I suppose if you are the sort of guy that wears PDAs and mobile phones in their belt (a bit of the galaxy-coloring is visible around the buttons), things like fashion and colors tend to become a blur.

  9. My God... by trilucid · · Score: 1, Redundant · on First Looks at Linux DA PDA


    Even in my darkest days of true geekdom I was never this bad. :)

    I mean, I know it runs Linux, and it looks nice and all, but how much digital crud do we really want to strap on our bodies anyhow? A certain borg analogy comes to mind...

    NOTE: grep -r "humour" > your ;)

  10. ueber geek! by jazzman45 · · Score: 5, Funny · on First Looks at Linux DA PDA

    Promotional Photo? A) Why would any self-respecting company use this photo? and B) I feel sorry for whoever this is.

  11. Re:I don't get it. by Karpe · · Score: 2 · on First Looks at Linux DA PDA

    They provide it for the kernel, here, but they should always provide it. Not only for 6 months.

  12. Re:No Linux in Sight by GrouchoMarx · · Score: 2 · on Palm OS Spinoff
    Sure, a company could take the Linux kernel and tools and write a Palm-esque interface for it, and rewrite the guts enough to be naturally resource-based XIP.

    Like this? [agendacomputing.com]

    And every company is going to have their own "redux Tux", which means you won't be able to generate a single executable file that you can throw on any device, the way you can with a Palm.

    Yep, exactly like that. Now also look at http://www.linuxda.com/. Both are Palm-like Linux-based PDAs. I'll lay you odds that you can't beam an executable from one to the other and have it work without recompiling. (For one thing, the Agenda uses a MIPS processor, the PowerPlay III uses Dragonball.) That may be great for darwinism, but not for selling units. Not in the handheld space.

  13. 'Arm' clock by Hard_Code · · Score: 2 · on Two Handfuls Of Handhelds

    Hey look - they have an 'arm' clock. That sounds cool. They should put in an analog clock also though.

  14. Fashion Faux Pas by SubtleNuance · · Score: 5, Funny · on Two Handfuls Of Handhelds

    You have got to be kidding

    This is why nerds cant pick up in public...

  15. Re:Haha.. What A Laugh by BlueGecko · · Score: 2, Informative · on Two Handfuls Of Handhelds

    Given that spending literally about twenty seconds on the website revealed that their OS runs on a Palm (see http://www.linuxda.com/store/index.html), I think it's a reasonable assumption that you can also upload (albeit with shady legal reprecussions) the Palm OS onto their system. Thus, their handheld is Palm-compatible in the same way that my FreeBSD box is Windows-compatible: the hardware is identical.

  16. Palm look-alike compatible maybe by Bronster · · Score: 2 · on Two Handfuls Of Handhelds

    From the pictures of the PowerPlay III PDA (claims to be "Palm IIIxe Compatible") it looks like maybe it's compatible in that it looks the same.

    Seriously though, it looks like they've created a very small embedded OS based on the Linux Kernel, and written apps that are approximately similar to those available on the Palm. It also looks like they're the same processor and hardware design, so it's quite probably Palm-OS compatible - they're just running their own OS instead.

    There are Screen Shots available for apps that look remarkably like the screens on my Handspring running PalmOS.

  17. OK, here is my first impression... by javabandit · · Score: 3, Informative · on New Linux PDA Available

    I just installed the LinuxDA demo on my Palm IIIxe. Here are some observations.

    First off, The demo is very annoying. About every 15-20 seconds, a message that takes up the entire screen pops up and says, "LinuxDa... a demo copy for limited use... blah blah". I seriously don't think this stuff is GPL. Their license is on their site here.

    Second, the UI sucks. I'm not sure why Linux UI implementations have to be so cumbersome. But this one is no different. The drop-down menus are hard-to-control. Often times, selecting a drop-down menu item requires several taps. The UI is 'Palm-like', but it fails horribly in a few key areas of navigability.

    Third, I have sent an email off to LinuxDA asking them if they have a shell interface to the RAM filesystem. The demo doesn't have one. Their 'full' version doesn't appear to have one, either. I also asked about whether or not LinuxDA has a TCP/IP stack, or ethernet support. Again, I saw nothing like that in the demo or in the specs of their full version.

    So far, my conclusion is thumbs down. I don't like it. Yeah, its Linux, but it sucks right now.

    If they give me a shell. If they give me a TCP/IP stack, and ethernet support... then I'm on board. I'm not sure what good Linux on a handheld is without those three things.

  18. Hello lawsuit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on New Linux PDA Available
    Considering how Palm put down the Royal DaVinci in court, I think the LinuxDA people should watch their back.

    Exhibit A www.linuxda.com/store/powerplayIII.html

    Cheap handhelds are a good idea, embedded Linux is good but they can probably be done in a more origional way than this,

  19. Re:Not for sale on web site yet.. by rasjani · · Score: 2 · on New Linux PDA Available
    Where you blind ? Here's a copypaste from the store
    • PowerPlay III PDA US$99.99 US$89.99* Qty

      At this time, PowerPlay III PDA is available for shipping to US and Canadian residents ONLY.

      *Taxes not included. Prices are subject to local taxes. Shipping and handling costs will be added to the final price.


    And then there was nice little box where you could add the quantity of products you wish to buy.. Allthou they dont ship the damned product outside US and Canada. I would have ordered it right away.

    Anyone have previewed this thing allready ?
  20. Curiosity or everyday tool? by kingdon · · Score: 1 · on New Linux PDA Available

    Well, I don't know about anyone else but for me my PDA is very much a utilitarian tool - I do my playing on a regular computer. So I looked at Linuxda.com (noticed it wasn't open source, but neither is PalmOS), and then found the screen shots. First reaction is that the screens are a bit on the ugly side (although not terminally so), and that it passes some kind of sanity test of functionality. Hard to really know, but I can always hope that this will fulfill my dream of an appliance which Just Works (like I say, I futz around enough with my regular computer, and I don't regret that time, but I don't necessarily want that times 2).

  21. Curiosity or everyday tool? by kingdon · · Score: 1 · on New Linux PDA Available

    Well, I don't know about anyone else but for me my PDA is very much a utilitarian tool - I do my playing on a regular computer. So I looked at Linuxda.com (noticed it wasn't open source, but neither is PalmOS), and then found the screen shots. First reaction is that the screens are a bit on the ugly side (although not terminally so), and that it passes some kind of sanity test of functionality. Hard to really know, but I can always hope that this will fulfill my dream of an appliance which Just Works (like I say, I futz around enough with my regular computer, and I don't regret that time, but I don't necessarily want that times 2).

  22. Re:I hope they do the wrong thing. by Azog · · Score: 5, Informative · on FSF Statement on Violation of GPL by RTLinux
    Actually, I think there's a much more serious copyright violation of the GPL license going on. At least RTLinux makes the souce code available (contrary to the posted story, sigh, usual Slashdot fact checking...)

    Anyway, the company LinuxDA has made modifications to Linux (the kernel) to run it on Palm Pilots. A demo version is freely available for download. (see http://www.linuxda.com/download/index.html)

    There's a "Coming Soon" spot on that page for "Source Code For Linux Kernel". But it has been months, and no source has shown up.

    Not only that, but they have been asked (by Rick Van Riel, one of the significant contributors and copyright holders of the Linux Kernel) to provide source.

    They still have not provided source.

    I sent them an email about this, and got the following form letter:

    Dear User:

    We are committed to the Linux Open Source Movement.

    We are currently working on making the source code for the modifications to
    the Linux kernel available. Please continue to check www.linuxda.com for
    download availability.

    Thank you for your continual patience and support.

    Best Regards,
    Linux DA Customer Support Team


    I sent them another letter asking them if they thought they were violating the terms of the GPL by allowing months to go by without releasing the source, and if not, why not, but got no reply.

    I also pointed out that it's not difficult to provide source (make mrproper, tar cvzf linuxda.tar.gz *, then ftp the file to the web site... it would take about 10 minutes.) Obviously they are purposely dragging their feet, and I'm a lot more worried that someone is getting away with that than the RTLinux patent thing.
  23. Linux Compatible? by p3bf · · Score: 1 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware

    From linuxda, let me quote the obvious: "The first Linux compatible O/S scaled down for..."

    Linux Compatible? As opposed to a flavor of Linux?

    (Yes, I did see the words "Using the open-source Linux kernel..."), but it does lead to some interesting speculation.

    (Also parenthetically, regarding GNU/Linux vs. Linux kernel, is the kernel specifically non-GPL? Does that have bearing in this case?)

  24. Re:Not enough details... by Garc · · Score: 1 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware

    Well, you can actually see what they're charging under the store section of their webpage (here if you're lazy).

    60 bucks will get you the Professional Package, which included all the desktop tools (mail, todo, etc), Datasync, SDK, and 30 days email support.

    30 bucks will just get you the standard version with desktop tools & Datasync


    Garc

  25. download! by kilgore_47 · · Score: 3 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware

    The demo can be downloaded in exactly 1 hour from right now right here.

    Does anyone know if Palm IIIx compatibility means Palm IIIe compatibility? Because if it doesn't, my interest level is dropping fast.

    (proud Palm IIIe owner ;-)

    ___

  26. Re:Not enough details... by branteaton · · Score: 1 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware

    according to http://www.linuxda.com/store/index.html:

    Products are available for preorder and range from 39.95 USD to 59.95 USD (before tax, title and license :)

    They seem to be selling bundles including the base "OS" and the apps. I must say: the base kernel is fairly useless without some serious additional interface work (i.e. software/driver to interpret stylus input).

    Interesting niche. How long before it's filled with GNU/Linux DA w/ source at sourceforge?

  27. What? No software? by DaveWood · · Score: 2 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware
    I'm impressed, I suppose, but we have to look deeper. For instance, on their site (www.linuxda.com), under "Software", (and I have to admit, this is kind of funny), they have...

    ... a big blank page!

    So I guess people haven't come lining up in advance to code for this new platform yet.

    They say they've got a GUI and handwriting recognition and an SDK and so forth, which is nice. No talk about hotsync hardware, which I find interesting. They claim to have their demo up for downloading in 90 minutes, so fine, we can see the rest for ourselves then, but I have a few big questions...

    How much of linux is there besides (presumably) some of the kernel? libs? shells? networking?

    And, can they, and will they, do app-level compatibility with palmOS?

  28. What? No software? by DaveWood · · Score: 2 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware
    I'm impressed, I suppose, but we have to look deeper. For instance, on their site (www.linuxda.com), under "Software", (and I have to admit, this is kind of funny), they have...

    ... a big blank page!

    So I guess people haven't come lining up in advance to code for this new platform yet.

    They say they've got a GUI and handwriting recognition and an SDK and so forth, which is nice. No talk about hotsync hardware, which I find interesting. They claim to have their demo up for downloading in 90 minutes, so fine, we can see the rest for ourselves then, but I have a few big questions...

    How much of linux is there besides (presumably) some of the kernel? libs? shells? networking?

    And, can they, and will they, do app-level compatibility with palmOS?

  29. Site info by Geoff · · Score: 1 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware

    The linuxda website has a minimal info page at http://www.linuxda.com/products/os.html

    I really wonder, though, if my Palm m100 is someplace I want to run Linux. PalmOS works fine, and does the intended job. If it ain't broke....

  30. ummm... GPL? by evanbd · · Score: 5 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware

    OK, it's Linux, right? which means GPL. SO, where are GPL info? not on the site. There's not a copy of the GPL, not a mention of it, and they provide an email address for licensing info (sales@linuxda.com). Legal info is here, and does not suggest GPL at all. Of course, the software won't be availble for 1 1/2 hours as of this writing, so it might change, but I have to wonder what's going on. I think that if (when?) binary-only copies appear I'll send an email. Anyone care to correct any of this?

  31. ummm... GPL? by evanbd · · Score: 5 · on Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware

    OK, it's Linux, right? which means GPL. SO, where are GPL info? not on the site. There's not a copy of the GPL, not a mention of it, and they provide an email address for licensing info (sales@linuxda.com). Legal info is here, and does not suggest GPL at all. Of course, the software won't be availble for 1 1/2 hours as of this writing, so it might change, but I have to wonder what's going on. I think that if (when?) binary-only copies appear I'll send an email. Anyone care to correct any of this?