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Linux-Based OS For Palm Hardware

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the fits-in-your-hand-not-in-your-mouth dept.

slash.monster writes: "I was reading through Canadian Newswire today and came across this. Quoted from their press release: 'Linux DA O/S replaces the Palm O/S within the actual handheld device but still remains fully compatible with Palm's hardware, proving that Linux DA O/S is a flexible and powerful operating system. Using the open source Linux kernel, Empower Technologies has designed Linux DA O/S to be the first Linux compatible O/S scaled down for the Motorola Dragonball CPU platform used by Palm handhelds.'"

"I've got a Palm Vx, but I'm gonna get some friends to check this out. Should be interesting to see if thier claims are true." There is a free DEMO (their caps) version to download, says the release, but the final version will be payware.

10 of 163 comments (clear)

  1. mini-review of the package by Partisan · · Score: 5

    Disclaimer: I have not used a Palm device in over a year. I don't have one to test this on.

    Inside the 4.6 MB are 3 files, the ROM @ 983K, and RTF file for the install docs @ 1.9MB and a PDF for the OS manual at 1 MB.
    Pretty silly to have 3MB of docs for a 983K ROM. It smacks of Windows Bloated thinking.

    The install guide is pretty basic. Backup your exiting OS and then flash the new ROM...

    The OS guide is simple and basic. If you've used a Palm then you don't need it.

    I could find nothing in the docs that tells me why this is any better than PalmOS. There are plenty of screen shots, but nothing that makes me think this is Linux. It just looks like a generic PDA GUI.

    There's no sign of X or GNU or anything else you'd expect to see on any Linux box.

    According to the docs the demo is missing alot of stuff that's in the full package. It looks like the PC side (Palm Desktop) is missing. There's no games either.

    There is no mention of connectivity besides with the desktop and beaming stuff to other Palms. They don't even mention 'email'.

    Based on what I've seen I'm underwhelmed by the whole thing. If I had a Palm I would not waste my time installing this on it.

    Of course when somebody really installs it maybe they'll see something exciting about it that I've missed from the docs.

    My guess is the company really just wanted to load test their servers so they unleashed this to get us to /. them. Pretty sneaky!

  2. Re:ummm... GPL? by DJerman · · Score: 5
    How many times do we have to go through this. The GPL states that you don't have to give away the code unless the person already has the binary, it also stats they they don't have to be available together.

    Until you get it right, apparently :-)

    The GPL states that you must OFFER the source code with the distribution. Your offer may refer to another method of actually obtaining the source code, but the consumer must be appraised of his or her rights at the time of distribution. (term 3b)

    In addition, it must be accompanied by a copy of the GPL. (term 1 included by reference in term 3)

    Therefore if the operating system comes to you without a copy of the GPL, or without a written offer to provide the source code or notice of where the source code can be obtained, then one of the following two statements must be true:

    1) It's not Linux-based, and therefore although it may be distributed legally it's advertised fraudulently.

    2) It is Linux-based, but it's being distributed illegally, as the copy of the GPL and offer of source code is required in order to comply with the terms of the GPL, and you may not distribute a derivative work of Linux unless you distribute it according to the terms of the GPL.

    --
  3. Not enough details... by Wee · · Score: 4
    There's a lack of details in that press release. Which is fine for a PR, I guess. But a couple thoughts struck me:
    • Is there any sort of compatibility layer between their OS and Palm apps? If not, why would I want to run their OS if I can't get apps for it? Are there many Linux apps for the Dragonball?
    • How does it handle syncing? If it can't hot sync, then it's all over...
    • What sort of DEMO is it? If I install their demo and it ceases to work after 30 dayss or some such, I wouldn't be too happy. If it's honesty-ware (install it, if you keep using it pay up), then I would.
    • How much is it going to cost? A $100 price point will dig their grave.
    • Does their OS come with a set of GNU utils? Gotta have things like less or the OS isn't very handy.
    • What sort of graphics/GUI/WM/whatever package does it use? If it's some form of X then I'd be happy...

    And I have a bunch more questions that a lot of other people will ask. But if anyone has any details, please share. I've been wating to dust off my old Palm (aye, there's a joke in there somewhere). If this is cheap enough and has enough functionality, I might just try it.

    -B

    --

    Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.

  4. Let's get a few things straight. by mindstrm · · Score: 5

    These guys did NOT port Linux to the palm; it's already been done. They may have put something together to make it install easier, they may have developed some-palm type apps,which would be god...

    But, given the propaganda-like marketroid speak they use, I'd say they are mainly trying to cash in looking like a linux player.

  5. They're the first? by Webmonger · · Score: 4

    Perhaps it's the first complete distro, or something, but I highly doubt they did all this by themselves. Remember ucLinux?

  6. ummm... GPL? by evanbd · · Score: 5

    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?

  7. The best of both worlds... by fmaxwell · · Score: 5
    Imagine having the raw horsepower and storage of a Palm combined with the user friendliness of Linux! Let's not forget about the wealth of Linux applications that have been optimized for a Dragonball CPU, a 160x160 grey-scale LCD display, and no keyboard.

    Who cares if you can't use standard Palm apps and lose all of the functionality of the Palm as a handheld organizer? It's all worth it when you can enter ls -l with the stylus and watch cryptically named files scroll past (in a smeary, LCD kind of way).

  8. Predictable license point by codebunny · · Score: 4

    see:
    http://www.linuxda.com/legal.html

    hmmm, they don't sound the most open source of people. Presumably they'll have to release the kernel part under GPL but I dare say all the other stuff (address box, calender etc) were developed in house and so they can license them any damn way they like - much like Tivo in fact.

  9. Great!! by cr133d0g · · Score: 5

    Now I'll be able to hook my Palm up to my HP 3300C scanner....oh, wait a sec.....

  10. I just spoke with Michael in customer service... by martinbogo · · Score: 5

    I just finished downloading and installing the image into my TRG Palm III. Of course, since the TRG units have a different offset to load the kernel, the image would not work.

    I called linuxda customer support, and was connected to a gentleman called Michael. He was very pleasant, and I explained that I needed the source code (as required by GPL) to correct the issue and make the image work for me.

    Verbatim :

    Michael : "We have the image available for download. The source code is not going to be available."

    Martin : "I am aware that your own programs are not under the GPL, however are you aware that you must release the source to the kernel and changes you have made to it, as well as the source code to any other GPL programs that may be in the image?"

    Michael : "Yes, we are aware of it. We will make the source code for that available in a few weeks."

    Martin : "Are you aware that this is something of great concern to both the linux and open source community?"

    Michael : "We are aware. We want people to download [ the image ] first."

    Martin : "Allright. Let me give you my email address, I would like to be notified as soon as the source for the GPL code becomes available."

    Michael : "Yes, I will do that. Please send email to support@linuxda.com"

    -----

    In my opinion, the people in charge at Linux DA may not have realized how strong community backlash is when source code is not released. It would probably go very well for us if we sent a POLITE email to support@linuxda.com requesting that the source code for GPL code used be made available as soon as possible.

    A possible form letter to use :

    To Whom it May Concern,

    I am a user/developer of open software. It concerns me greatly that your company has released a binary-only image of GPL'ed (Gnu Public Licence) software. Releasing and distributing GPL'ed software without simultanious release of the source code is in violation of the GPL licence.

    I respectfully urge you to release and make available for general download the source code to any GPL code and modifications/patches your company has made to the code as soon as possible. As a user and/or developer of open source software, it is important to both myself and the community at large that the terms of the GPL be adhered to both in the sentiment, and letter of the law.

    Sincerely,
    (insert your name)/(email address)

    --
    "Don't worry about the problems you have in mathematics, I assure you mine are much greater." - Einstein c.1919