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Opie GUI/PIM Project Reaches 1.0

Posted by michael on from the no-wincing dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The Open Palmtop Integrated Environment (Opie) project has announced its first 1.0 release. Having been forked from TrollTech's Qtopia environment, Opie has evolved into the most sophisticated free and open graphical user interface for Linux based embedded devices and PDAs. Opie features a sophisticated personal information (PIM) framework as well as several other productivity apps, extended multimedia capabilities and document model, networking and communication tools as well as multi language support for more than a dozen languages. Based on common industry standards like XML, Obex, IrDa et. al. Opie is capable of interacting with lots of devices ranging from cell phones to server backends. Opie is highly optimzed for mobile devices and tries to support the user with shortcuts and ease of use."

10 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Bring on the Gasoline!!! by A1miras · · Score: 5, Informative

    Since this is a qt portable related anouncement, I figure people would be interested in it's gtk equivalent.

    GPE or the "GPE Palmtop Environment" aims to provide a Free Software GUI environment for palmtop/handheld computers running the GNU/Linux(TM) operating system. GPE uses the X Window System, and the GTK+-2.2 widget toolkit.

    They have their own nifty screenshots.

    --
    Take Care

    A1miras
    1. Re:Bring on the Gasoline!!! by shepd · · Score: 5, Interesting

      >X? On a palmtop?

      The PalmPilot Pro had more CPU and memory than the NCD X terminal the local University threw out.

      If a 12 Mhz 68000 can run X, then anything (even those $50 cheapies) manufactured today can run X.

      --
      If you could be told what you can see or read, then it follows that you could be told what to say or think - BoC
  2. iSync ? by mirko · · Score: 5, Insightful
    What about its synchronization features ?
    Can I :
    • sync it to Outlook (work) ?
    • sync it to iCal (at home) ?
    • use my existing Qt/ZAurus apps on it ?

    Should at least 2 answers be positive (100%), I'd consider installing it.
    --
    Trolling using another account since 2005.
    1. Re:iSync ? by ofels · · Score: 5, Informative

      It can sync to Outllok via QTopiaDesktop from TrollTech (free) and IntelliSync from PumaTech.

      http://opie.infofreaks.net has a rudimentary sync tool for Windows, which does not work very well with Win2k.

      iCal support is built in.

      Qtopia apps are working.

      Oliver
      Project Opie

    2. Re:iSync ? by A1miras · · Score: 5, Informative

      From their website under "Sync Data With The Desktop" it says:

      KitchenSync...

      KitchenSync is the Synchronisation Framework for KDE 3.1. At present, one can synchronize directory, Todolist and Calendar. In the future it will be possible with KitchenSync to sync data with other computers, or also with Handys like the S45. to the fact comes that one can save konqueror directly on devices. So one will be able directly out konqueror files on CF, SD, to copy or RAM.

      Qtopia Desktop

      is Trolltech's sync software TrollTech ftp

      IntelliSync
      [there's nothing under IntelliSync]

      --
      Take Care

      A1miras
  3. I know I am going to get a troll or offtopic... by skogs · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I know I am going to get a troll or an offtopic...but I just don't understand the point of the opie project at all. Perhaps because I am not cool enough to use a palmtop/PDA...I use paper notes or cards in my wallet for the things I really, really...really need. Good thing I don't have a lot of them.

    Question I can't get out of my head is this. All of this equipment already ships with an OS that works and that was custom designed for that piece of hardware...so why rebuild it with linux?

    I like linux, I run linux...and it helps me avoid the evil empire that would like to tax me. But palm/etc does not charge me extra for the use of their palm os. I can buy niftly little game packs and everything to fit in a palm that holds all the games of my youth on it...

    I just don't understand the need. Except maybe to force layoffs in big companies like palm...when they switch over to this newly made free OS. Thats what the /. community needs...more out of work software engineers.

    --
    Who is this that even the wind and the waves obey Him? Surely this computer must submit also!
  4. Re:why the fork? by ofels · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yes, there were political reasons.
    Qtopia did not let developers take part in the project to contribute and parts of it were closed source.

    Oliver Fels
    Team Opie

  5. Re:Is linux too much? by antiMStroll · · Score: 5, Informative

    The Zaurus 5500 runs a StrongArm 200 MHz, easily the equivalent of the P2 machines you mention, with additional advantage that the kernel can be highly optimized for a limited subset of accessory hardware and stripped of support it will never require (SCSI for example.) Opera embedded runs plenty fast on a Zaurus, plus you maintain the tradiitonal benefits of Linux such as NFS and SMB support.

  6. Re:about Qtopia by holgerschurig · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm using OpenZaurus as my PDA distribution. This distro uses Opie, but it comes with python, sip, PyQt and PyOpie. So you can develop your GUI stuff in Python.

  7. Re:Whey hey ANOTHER OS... by splint3r · · Score: 5, Informative
    Well first let's clear something up, it's not another OS, you wouldn't call KDE an OS would you? My Zaurus still runs on the same (slightly modified) OS it shipped with despite the fact that I'm running Opie, it runs Linux.

    I'm not at all sure that PDAs are becoming obsolete in the face of competition from smart phones. The new phones will still be that, phones. I don't see how a product can be designed to be two different things without sacrificing something(s) from both.

    I'd rather have a phone that's a good phone, and a PDA that's a good PDA than something which tries to do both and fails. Old arguement I know, but I feel nothing's changed, phones will not be the all-in-one device they promise to be, not enough thought has gone into user adoption. Unlike Sony's attempt , unfortunately.