Full X11-Based Distro For PDAs

omin0us writes "over at http://cacko.zaurususergroup.com, we are working on a Full X11 based Linux distro for the Sharp Zaurus SL-c7x0/860 series of PDAs. The screen has a usable full VGA resolution of 640x480 and the distro uses Openbox/ROX Desktop as its Native WM. But others such as Fluxbox, Afterstep, and XFCE have been compiled for it and run nicely. You will also find a WIDE variety of compiled apps in the Feed on the Cacko website such as a native GCC Compiler, XMMS, Mplayer, prboom, Gimp, Gkrellm, Abiword and numerous others. Many different screenshots of it in action may be found here. This is truly bringing desktop linux to the PDA. Also, another project that has branched from Cacko Linux is Gentoo for Zaurus. This project, at the moment is based on the Cacko X11 environment, but will eventually become a full Gentoo environment. "It can emerge packages, sync, or create Gentoo packages using the -B switch in emerge." This should be an interesting project to watch."

Comments

Portable Compiler While You're on the Plane.

[DarkHelmet]

You will also find a WIDE variety of compiled apps in the Feed on the Cacko website such as a native GCC Compiler

Maybe it's me, but I find it downright hilarious that they include a compiler with a PDA. Like that's some kind of huge geek selling point for it.

Geek 1: Yeah, I got Quake running on my PDA. Take that!
Geek 2: That's nothing! I compiled it on my PDA and *then* played it.

All the other geeks gather around Geek #2. One of the geek chicks who was with Geek #1 pulls away from him and goes over to Geek #2.

Yeah... I guess it's that important. Just like that nifty new 64-bit CPU that makes my penis feel bigger than it actually is. Yippie.

Re:Portable Compiler While You're on the Plane.

[Michael Spencer Jr.]

I work at a bank, and own a Zaurus SL-C700. I work full-time in a tech support call center (noon to 11 PM), and am a full-time student. This means when it's late at night, I have plenty of time to work on homework.

For the past two semesters, all of my programming assignments have been written, built, and debugged on the SL-C700. I'd say it takes me perhaps twice as long to type in code, and GCC runs rather slowly. But the hours would otherwise be wasted. I'm not allowed to put Linux or GCC on Bank computers.

Portable GCC is indeed useful.

Interesting project to watch?

[ObviousGuy]

Yeah, watching Gentoo emerge packages on a crappy PXA250 is a whole lot of fun, I'm sure.

Is the Linux desktop really the right metaphor for a palmtop device? Apple knew a desktop was wrong, Microsoft finally figured it out with PPC2002.

When will the good folks working on these Linux ports figure it out?

Damn,,

[vpscolo]

after seeing those screenhosts my first 2 geek reactions are

1) Must by gadget to run Linux on
2) Must get a copy of Lemming and run on GnuBoy

Damn you slashdot for spending my money and filling my time.

Rus

Opie should be mentioned

[Anonymous Coward]

I know it's a different project, but people who find cacko interesting might find opie interesting as well.

http://opie.handhelds.org/

If it had a hard drive...

[bcg]

Wouldn't a 4Gb hard disk just like whats in the mini ipod go down a treat in one of these things?

Combine that with wifi (as mentioned by another poster) and at least laptop battery life expectancy and i would instantly order one.

I don't ask much :)

Coming soon to /.

[m00nun1t]

Updates on the only items that HAVEN'T run linux so far:

- Porting linux to a kitchen blender
- Porting linux to a carrot
- Porting linux to the wart on my grandmothers knee

Re:Integrated WiFi

[robson]

The recently released specs for the new 6000 series will include an option for built-in wifi, both Bluetooth and 802.11.