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More on Putting Linux On iPAQ
wishus writes: "The Compaq iPAQ is Compaq's PocketPC offering, with a 206 MHz Intel StrongARM. Microsoft beware, though, because there are now 2 different ways to put Linux on it - Compaq's own is at handhelds.org and the second, announced yesterday, is from Century Software. They are actually two very different means to the same end - Linux and X running on the iPAQ, complete with handwriting recognition." If only it had 802.11 wireless support, I'd be there.
I hate the idea of using Microsoft software based on a combination of their disregard for quality, security, and reliability; concern about questionable business practices; and concern about the dangers of software monoculture. Nothing blind about it.
Tom Swiss | the infamous tms | my blog
You cannot wash away blood with blood
X Windows and Unix were never really designed for handheld computers. (Yeah, windows wasn't either, but Windows CE is only a little like regular Windows.)
WinCE has its share of problems, not the least of which is the fact that there's a fairly high bar to getting into developing for it. The simple fact that X's initial design wasn't for handhelds doesn't mean much. The iPAQ is a really powerful machine: more horsepower than the 5x86/133 I once used to run X.
Slashdot recently linked to my interview with Jim Gettys about the issues involved with porting X/Linux to the iPAQ. Considering he's one of the lead developers of X from 1986, I think his words have some weight.
At the moment, though, you're right: you wouldn't want to use Linux on an iPAQ for your PDA. Support is rough because they're still laying in the foundation. The long-term view, though, which is what Compaq is taking, is that with an open handheld (as they call the iPAQ) based on tools familiar to Linux developers, they'll have the groundwork for devices that hit the market with a massive developer base built in. No costs for proprietary development tools, a remarkable amount of experience, and the same sort of enthusiasm for development that's been a mark of the Linux/Free Software community to this point.
Even if the iPAQ doesn't succeed (it's sort of expensive at the moment), Linux handhelds are becoming a reality. The Yopy is based on Linux, and the new AgendaVR3 (which is a lot more like the Palm, only more powerful) is based on Linux. In general, in fact, Linux may succeed more as an embedded platform than a desktop platform. It's in the midst of taking off in that area now.
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Michael Hall
Michael Hall
mph.puddingbowl.org
Digital Semiconductor was making the StrongArm processor. Compaq sold off Digital Semiconductor to Intel. Yes, this means that Intel is making both the Tulip DC21x4x and Intel 8255[789] Ethernet controllers, and the SA-110 and x86 processors. Compaq kept the Alpha processor, though.
-russ
Don't piss off The Angry Economist
Maybe this will convince the developers of the various GTK/Qt/Motif/etc. GUI programs to consider screen sizes smaller than 1024 x 768.
Jakob Neilsen's Alertbox column has been talking about the need to consider screen size on handhelds and WAP devices. He's talking primarily about Web applications, but it'll be true for any portable apps.
Developers for handhelds and devices with touch screens will also have to consider that users are more likely to click/tap widgets then drag/scroll them.
Jay (=
That's the same reasoning that failed to see why Vietnam would be hard for the US to conquer. Never underestimate dedicated rebels who are having fun.
-russ
Don't piss off The Angry Economist
I quote, from handhelds.org:
The Compaq 802.11b wireless PCMCIA card is working
Looks like you're buying one Taco!
Well, I've had a look at the presentation and it's pretty slick. It's the only handheld I've seen so far that makes me look at my HandSpring and go "hmmmm....". The big drawback is still the battery life - one day. Ouch. My Handspring goes for at least three weeks. But I'm impressed by the screen, and the ability to hook up both PC cards and CompactFlash. Sound is nice too.
And actually, the software on it (Windows CE) looks pretty good. They seem to have taken all the good stuff that Palm and Handspring did, and improved on it in many subtle and not-so subtle ways. The contact book, day planner, etc. all look nice.
As usual for Microsoft, by the third time around they often produce something usable. Of course this assumes that the software is actually stable... another thing about the Handspring is I've only gotten it to crash once, and that was while using HackMaster to rotate the screen with custom fonts in some third-party application...
So I have to ask? If the Windows software is stable, would putting Linux on this device improve it's usability, or is it just a neat hack to prove it could be done? I mean, yeah, it would be cool to have the command line and secure shell... but wouldn't you be better off with a good SSH-supporting terminal program just running under Windows?
I kind of think it's just one of those things that people do to show how l33t they are. And that's ok. If I had one, I might try Linux on it just for the boasting rights but after a few days I bet I would want the original software back.
X Windows and Unix were never really designed for handheld computers. (Yeah, windows wasn't either, but Windows CE is only a little like regular Windows.)
Torrey Hoffman (Azog)
Torrey Hoffman (Azog)
"HTML needs a rant tag" - Alan Cox
The Century software press release looks pretty darn interesting:
Century Software Embedded Technologies, a leader in open source applications technologies for embedded Linux, today announced the availability of a Linux-based windowing system and graphical development environment for the new Compaq iPAQ handheld computer.
[SNIP...]
The environment includes the well-known Microwindows graphical windowing system for embedded Linux, along with the recently introduced ViewML Internet browser, and the Fast Light Tool Kit (FLTK) applications framework. A stroke-based character-recognition technology, based on Scribble, provides the basis for handwriting recognition. The Microwindows graphical windowing system was chosen because of it's extremely compact size, and it's support of the ViewML browser.
One thing that I've been missing on my Palm III is a powerful, useful, on board development environment (PocketC just doesn't cut it for me...). I'd love to have Python or Perl on my handheld, as I frequently think of interesting problems that I could/would solve if I could write a quick script. If Century's system allows you to use a really small C environment with FLTK on board, that'd be worth having.
---------The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
This HOWTO explains how to install Linux on the IPAQ. Enjoy!
We use the Microwindows library which compiles to
300K or so, including true type fonts and a
Win32-like API, and writes directly to the frame
buffer (or optionally through X).
X is shrinking fast, but still needs a meg or two
more (plus all those runtime libraries), which
makes a big difference on smaller systems.
Also, check out our small open source browser at
http://www.viewml.com/
mark@censoft.com