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OPIE Finally Works With Original Sharp Zaurus ROM
Werner Heuser writes " Thanks to the work of Michael Tuschik
OPIE 1.0.3 is now available for the original ROMs provided by Sharp.
OPIE is an Open Source User Interface and Apps for Linux PDAs
built on Qt Embedded. You don't need a special version of "ipkg". Install via shipped package
manager. Michael wrote at the OPIE mailing list:
"NOTE: The Opie PIM applications will replace the original Sharp apps
but use its own "old" data format (applies to Sharp ROM 3.1x and derivates).
On uninstall the SHARP apps will be restored.""
Opie does some great work, and I've tried several times to install opie apps and Open zaurus on my 5600.
/feed/sharprom/1.0.3
OZ never installs correctly, and half the Opie apps crashed under the original Sharp ROM, <i>even those in the Sharp-rom feed</i>.
Several times they crashed badly enough that the Qtopia window manager failed to start, and I had to interrupt the boot, go in via the console, and un-tar Sharp's backup tars. Not fun.
And the Opie web site seems almost intentionally hard to navigate, the way the feeds are just lists of un-described and un-documented programs (yes, I know they idea is to use the feeds with the install-from-network ipkg option).
I guess what I'm saying is, they best programs in the world are of limited use if the documentation is missing and you're left to guess at what something is and whether or not it'll work. If you disagree, first follow the link in the article, and then tell me what somebody new to Opie is supposed to figure out from (excerpt; notice the not-so-descriptive description column):
Index of
Name Last modified Size Description
Parent Directory 09-Feb-2004 09:37 -
Packages 09-Feb-2004 09:34 32k
backgammon_1.0.3_arm..> 08-Feb-2004 16:34 146k
ftplib_1.0.3_arm.ipk 08-Feb-2004 16:34 9k
libopie1_1.0.3_arm.ipk 08-Feb-2004 16:38 266k
libopieobex1_1.0.3_a..> 08-Feb-2004 16:40 33k
libopietooth1_1.0.3_..> 08-Feb-2004 16:41 31k
Opinions on the Twiddler2 hand-held keyboard?
You see, you don't have to buy apps for opie, they are free.
Further some people have beliefs regaurding the morality of commercial software, and some people don't so a one size fits all doesn't work.
Besides there are near 7 billion people in the world, I'm sure we can afford some duplication of effort.
My inner self is ineffable, so don't eff with me.
Now if sharp would just release a C7xx-like Zaurus for the US market... (yes, I'm aware of the translation hacks, no, I'm not interested in those)