Run Linux Apps On Your Sharp Zaurus?

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Run Linux Apps On Your Sharp Zaurus?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Wednesday April 19, 2000 @06:31AM from the yes-it-clusters-just-like-berries dept.

FreezerJam writes: "Now, THIS could be cool. Sharp apparently has software -- zxLinux -- that lets you run Linux apps on some of the PDAs in the their Zaurus line. Here's the wire story and the Sharp page is here. But someone will have to translate from the Asian language involved [Japanese], 'cause the fish can't do this." One advantage that Sharp seems to have here is that its products already exist, unlike some other companies' shadow-ware ...

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Use Netscape 6 to translate by Cato · 2000-04-19 00:37 · Score: 4

I've had reasonably good results with the Netscape 6 preview release - it has a View | Translate command that sends the URL to www.teletranslator.com and then translates it for you.

Very convenient - you can even navigate the links in the resulting page, and the service will translate the pages automatically.
It's cool, I wonder how it compares with... by DeepDarkSky · 2000-04-19 01:38 · Score: 4

MS Pocket PC. I've been trying all day to get this story below submitted. Might as well put it somewhere where people can see it.
Microsoft unveiled the Pocket PC today. Products being available by its partners include: HP Jornada, Compaq iPaq H3600, Casio Cassiopei a E-105 and Symbol PPT 2700. Microsoft's touting it as being better than Palm. Here's a list of features, significant among them: Microsoft Reader (for reading e-books), Windows Media Player (for playing music), Pocket Streets (a map program), Pocket Internet Explorer, and office productivity tools like Outlook, Word, and Excel.
FWIW though, Japanese make good appliance-type gadgets, and you can count on them to deliver good quality end-user products (witness the game consoles). Only problem is if some terrorists decide to use a Sharp Zaurus in their Missile Guidance System.
First-look translation of the zxLinux home page by Panther+Cat · 2000-04-19 03:04 · Score: 4
Here's my first crack at translating what's on the home page. It's good to know that my three years of Japanese training can be put to some use...:)
There's not a whole lot on the page - just a greeting, an obvious "What's New" section, and a FAQ. Anyway, here's my quick-'n-dirty translation of the FAQ:
------------------------------------------------ zxLinux FAQ
1. zxLinux is...?
2. Compatible hardware
3. Kernel version
4. Development environment
5. License/usage conditions
6. License/usage warnings
7. License agreement (don't recognize the word)
8. Using the binaries
9. Mailing List
10. Documentation
11. Related Links
Section 1: zxLinux is...?
- Linux for use on Sharp's Zaurus
- AXE developed this version of Linux, with much help from Sharp. HOWEVER, please do not contact Sharp with any questions regarding this page.
- Linux runs as a single process in Zaurus' XTAL microkernel
- The Zaurus environment and Linux environment can coexist:
  - written text input can be directed to the Linux console
  - Zaurus' environment will not be crippled in any way (PC: presumably by Linux running concurrently)
  - however, there are no guarantees made for processes running on the system
  - there is no guarantee that erasure or other changes to Zaurus' internal data will not occur
- Use of the Zaurus keyboard option is supported
(pc: here, there's a link to a more detailed description of how zxLinux was developed, but the link seems to be broken as I write this)
Section 2: Compatible hardware
- Zaurus iCraze(?) EX1 (model# MI-EX1)
- Power Zaurus C1 (model# MI-C1)
NOTE: Other Zaurus models have insufficient RAM, so at this time, they cannot run zxLinux.
Section 3: Kernel Version
- Linux Kernel version 2.3.23
(pc: a dev kernel???)
Section 4: Development Environment (pc: now my Japanese is getting a little fuzzy; we never learned technical terms or technical use of terms, so please bear with me ^_^;;)
- Cross development with Intel-based Linux
- Development kits come in two types; debugger comes in one:
  - Kernel development kit
  - Application development kit
  - Application development kit remote debugger
- To develop for zxLinux, a native Zaurus development environment and a Linux development environment are necessary. (pc: combining? synchronizing?) the environments is extremely difficult. This is why a specific kernel development kit was created. However, we still must stress caution when conducting zxLinux kernel development.
- zxLinux application development does not differ from normal Linux application development. As long as limits are observed (pc: presumably memory limits), Linux-x86 or Linux/SH (or other Linux) source code can be used.
- (pc: here, there's a link to to an explanation of how to develop for zxLinux)
- The remote debugger is used by attaching a serial line between a Zaurus and an Intel-based Linux machine. If you run a debugger on an Intel-based Linux machine and "gdbserver" (remote debugger) on the Zaurus, you can conduct zxLinux application debugging.
- (pc: here, there's a link to an explanation of how to use the debugger.
Section 5: License/usage conditions
Section 6: License/usage warnings
Section 7: License agreement
(pc: I'm not going to try translating these right now, as the text is really long and full of disclaimers and legal stuff; suffice to say that you're on your own when you use this, you can't blame Sharp for any damage to your Zaurus, etc., etc. - standard stuff)
Section 8: Using the binaries
If you use this software, you may damage or destroy your Zaurus' internal data. Any use of this software is your responsibility.
If you have vital data stored on your Zaurus, then please DO NOT USE THIS SOFTWARE AT ALL.
No matter what happens, neither Sharp Corp. nor AXE hold any responsibility (for your Zaurus).
1. Prepare a read/writable Zaurus-compatible compact flash card. (Make sure that the file format on the card is DOS FAT.)
2. Unpack the binary kit archive. This can be done in either Windows or Linux.
  ZLNXKNL.BIN zxLinux kernel ZLNXIMG.DAT Linux ext2fs image ZLNX.APL
  ZLNX.BIN
  ZLNXDM00.JPN
  ZLNXFM00.JPN
  ZLNXST00.JPN zxLinux boot program The above files are what you should get.
  (pc: I ripped this table from the page and translated the katakana bits...sorry, AXE!)
3. Copy all of the above files to the compact flash card.
4. Place the flash card into the Zaurus.
5. "ZxLinux" should appear in the MORE Software screen (in actuality, the boot program), so tap it to begin the install.
6. zxLinux will automatically install.
7. The ext2fs image can be mounted and used on an Intel-based Linux machine.
8. IMPORTANT: To shutdown zxLinux, go to the [Power (Return)] button.
  Going to a different button will not shut down Linux; it will only change the running application. With zxLinux running in the background behind the new application, the Zaurus will run exceptionally slowly.
9. If the Zaurus behaves abnormally, find the battery removal switch and move it from [Lock]->[Release]->[Lock]. This will reset your Zaurus.
Section 9: Mailing List
For program developers, there is a mailing list available: zxldev@axe-inc.co.jp.
To Subscribe
1. For people wishing to subscribe, please send mail to
  &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspzxldev-ctl@axe-inc.co.jp
  with this text
  &nbsp&nbsp&nbsp&nbspsubscribe zxldev &ltyour@mail.address&gt
  in the body of the message.
2. A confirmation email will be sent to the given address.
3. Reply to the confirmation email.
4. Once these steps are completed, you will be subscribed to the list.
NOTE: This list is supported by volunteers.
Section 10: Documentation
- (pc: link to a page on how zxLinux was created)
- (pc: link to the development method page)
- (pc: link to a page on use of the remote debugger)
- (pc: link to simple instructions for a demo application)
Section 11: Related links
- (pc: link to Sharp's home page)
- (pc: link to AXE's home page)
- (pc: link to the XTAL home page)
- (pc: link to the Japanese Linux Association home page)
- (pc: link to a Japanese Linux info page)
------------------------------------------------
*WHEW*
That pretty much covers the FAQ. Now that I think about it, I probably didn't need to translate the install instructions, as people who have Zaurus' can probably read Japanese anyway.
Anyway, I hope this helps people out some. I'm not a native Japanese speaker, and I don't claim that my translation is 100% correct, so please forgive any errors in the translation. If you have corrections, please post them! :)
Ja na,
- PC
translation by kawauso · 2000-04-19 02:20 · Score: 5

translation of hi-lights from www.zxlinux.com

What's new

* source for zlboot is made available (see below).

* zxlinux will be at LinuxConference 2000
zxlinux will be at PDA BOF

1. what is zxlinux

* Linux that runs under zaurus
* Developed by AXE, Inc http://www.axe-inc.co.jp/
[they have an English page]
* Linux Server runs as a "XTAL" process under zaurus' mirco kernel
* It can perfectly coexist with the existing zaurus environment:
* linux console input via handwriting recognition.
* does not disturb the zaurus environment
* compatible with zaurus' option hardware keyboard.

technical detail in Japanese can be found at http://www.zxlinux.com/doc/kd11.html. There are some diagrams that are in English.

2. supported platforms

* EX1(MI-EX1)
* Power Zaurus C1 (MI-C1)

3. kernel version

Linux 2.3.23
(2.2.23 was a typo)

4. development environment

Cross-compiled under Itel Linux
Two development environments.
One debugger.
* kernel development environment
* application development environment
* application development remote GDB

zxlinux kernel development is difficult due to
limitation of native Zaurus and Linux environments.
So, we decided to develop a special kernel development environment.

zxlinux applications development is just like Linux.
Except for a few limitations, you can use the same source code
as Linux/x86 or Linux/SH.

Remote GDB allows GDB running on Intel linux to connect to
Zaurus via a serial cable. Applications on zxlinux can be debugged
by running gdbserver on Zaurus.

5. conditions of use

Basic disclaimers:
Not responsible for loss of data, etc..
[too tedious to translate]

6. caution

[More warnings on possible data loss and potential hardware damage.]
...

* Source code found here can be modified and distributed according
to GPL version 2.

7. distribution

Do you agree on the "conditions of use" and "caution" above?
If so, press the button below to go to the distribution page.

8. how to use the binary kit.

[Yet another warning about data loss and stuff]

1. Prepare a writable Zaurus Compact Flash Card.
(Use DOS FAT file system)

2. Expand the binary kit archives on windows or linux.
You will get:
ZLNXKNL.BIN zxlinux kernel
ZLNIMG.DAT Linux Ext2fs image

ZLNX.APL
ZLNX.BIN
ZLNXDM00.JPN zxlinux boot programs
ZLNXFM00.JPN
ZLNXST00.JPN

3. Transfer all these to the flash card.

4. insert the flash card and boot Zaurus.

5. zxlinux (actually its boot program) appears on the
"MORE Software boot screen", so invoke it by clicking on it.

6. zxlinux will boot.

7. you can mount Ext2fs image on Intel linux.

8. *** you shutdown zxlinux by pressing the "Power(back)" button.***
Other buttons do not shutdown zxlinux, but switch the appliction.
This causes zxlinux to run in the background while the newly selected
programs runs, resulting in very poor performance.

9. If Zaurus behaves funny reset it by toggling the battery switch
as follows:
Lock -> Release -> Lock

9. mailing list

[information about mailing lists]

10. documentation

* How zxlinux works http://www.zxlinux.com/doc/kd11.html
* development methodology http://www.zxlinux.com/doc/devdoc.html
* using remote gdb http://www.zxlinux.com/doc/rgdbdoc.html
* brief intro to demo apps http://www.zxlinux.com/doc/apl.txt

11. links

* Sharp
* AXE [the icon with the cute girl]
* XTAL home page
* Japan Linux association
* Info on Linux in Japan