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Inexpensive Linux/BSD Handhelds
cloudscout writes, "The latest craze in handheld computing isn't the new Palm IIIc, it's the IBM WorkPad z50 currently being unloaded at ridiculously low prices by all sorts of discount Internet retailers. This device runs Windows CE 2.11 by default, however, a successful NetBSD Port means that this device could be the first widespread *NIX handheld. There's even a Linux Port in the works. The initial blowout saw these devices selling for under $250, but the huge demand has driven that price up to the $400 range now. Still cheap for a nearly full-sized system with 640x480 color LCD. "
Typical. He talks about the current NetBSD port thats working and mentions that there is a Linux port in progress so on the article title its "Inexpensive Linux/BSD Handhelds.
Never ask a geek why, just nod your head and back away slowly ;)
;) It impresses the shit out of people. I've seen people running news servers and web servers on these pocket devices, as a temporary solution though, but still the ordinary unknowing people (induhviduals) around you are baffled. Their beliefs faint, they turn pale, they eat off you hand, they'd bend over and say thanks afterwards if you told them to :)
Yes it's bad that you'll be paying for a CE license when you won't be using it. However, if enough people request a BSD or ``blank'' version of the z50, I'm sure IBM will notice and offer that option.
Don't underestimate the value of BSD or Linux on this kind of machine. Fit it with a FE card, and you'll have a router/firewall/web-server/etc. Not that you would want to use it for production, but imagine coming to some customer as a networking consultant, technician, or whatever, then plugging in your handheld to the network - and instantly they have the transparant proxy and news server they needed temporarily
The OS is the computer.
You are all in the wrong mindset and just posting because you think you are cool. =P Let me point out a few things about CE devices in general that will hopefully clear up a lot of confusion, I'll also make a few comments specifically about Linux & z50's...
On a CE device the RAM is SRAM not DRAM. So the RAM's state is maintained when you power down. So you install everything into RAM. (Unless you also have a compact flash card).
CE is loaded from ROM, and the ROM's are masked - meaning not flash upgradable. But the bootloader and OS are installed into ROM. SO to boot Linux or NetBSD you run a CE app which is a bootloader for a bsd/linux kernel which is on a compact flash or pcmcia card. (Don't even get me started on the lack of protection in CE that allows you to do this) There is hope, on the z50 the ROM card is removable. On some other CE devices its soldered on. So there's a possibility of people selling linux distro's for the z50 that you just pop in... that will be a long time coming though...
In response to a response below this level - IBM is not going to offer NetBSD or Linux as an install option. Ha! Keep dreaming. They have just dropped this device, why would they go on and bother to do development for a dead platform?
Also, yes you can play MP3's on it. It has a fast 131mhz r41xx MIPS chip. IMO its the display driver on all CE devices that makes them seem so slow. (Oh, and probably WinCE)
Oh, and this is not a palmtop. Its a Jupiter class device. Its a mini-notebook sized device. Roughly the size of a Sony VAIO...
Here's a screen shot of a developer running X on a z50: http://pc1.peanuts.gr.jp/~kei/Xscreen.gif
A product overview...
More to come if I can find it..
There's a review of it at Cnet