Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Dell Axim X50 Running Linux

Posted by timothy on from the tempty-tempty dept.

Venture37 writes "the guys at handhelds.org have managed to boot the linux kernel on a Dell Axim X50 handheld, the project is at alpha stages, you can grab a copy of the files from handhelds.org or fisherss.com."

5 of 132 comments (clear)

  1. Advantages and disadvantages of linux on a PDA by guyfromindia · · Score: 4, Informative

    Some may find this article informative.. http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/library/l-em bdev.html
    It discusses the various pros and cons of file systems, graphic systems, etc.

    1. Re:Advantages and disadvantages of linux on a PDA by treff89 · · Score: 4, Informative

      As that article explores, Linux on a PDA is very much dependent on what you want to use it for. If you want a miniature computer which can do (most) things an ix86 can, great, go for it - Linux will allow you to compile many, many applications. However, if you just want to use your PDA as a PDA, the operating system already on there is specially created for your hardware and use, and unless you absolutely do not want to use it, there's no point in compounding the amount of time taken to set an appointment. (Although, I hear from my Windows Mobile friends, it's not very efficient at all.) PalmOS takes less taps to make an appointment than WM200x, (1 hard button press and 1 screen tap to be exact.) So basically, one would use Linux for more features, and to correct previous flaws (after all, it is OSS!)

    2. Re:Advantages and disadvantages of linux on a PDA by BlueLightning · · Score: 4, Informative

      Perhaps you have not seen these:

      http://opie.handhelds.org/
      http://gpe.handhelds.org/

      Familiar Linux for iPAQs and other handhelds (presumably the X50 soon) provides images that include Opie and/or GPE by default.

      It might also be pointed out that the Sharp Zaurus runs Linux natively, and manages to be both a useful PDA and a powerful computing platform at the same time, so the two are not mutually exclusive as you seem to imply.

  2. Also Toshiba by espergreen · · Score: 4, Informative

    There is a similar project for Toshiba pdas. http://www.mnementh.co.uk/eseries/

  3. Project Details by Taxilian · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have been working with fisherss on this project (I'm Richard), and I thought I'd post a summary of the status, for any interested. We have a linux kernel booting, but we don't yet have wirless drivers working. USB networking is also in progress. This should go a little faster because the x50 (and x50v) use the same chipset for the wireless network that the ipaq hx4700 does, which is further along in the port. We hope to soon have a graphical interface up, and I will be trying to load the kernel on my x50 just as soon as I can get the files from Fisherss (I've been gone for a few days). It will probably be 6 months or so before linux is really usable on this device, and it could be longer before we can completely remove windows ce from the device. Anyone with low level distribution, drivers, and/or kernel experience who is interested in contributing to the project, we could definitely use your help! We learn quickly, but this is new to us... we just want to get past the limitations imposed by windows ce! =]