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Smartphone Suggestions for Text SSH Use?
BinLadenMyHero asks: "The company I work for, administrating their Linux email server, wants to buy me a GSM device so I can access the server 24/7 in case of any trouble. I usually work with a text terminal session over SSH (mutt, vi, bash, screen, etc..). The Nokia 9500 looks the best for the job (640 pixels wide, and a qwerty keyboard), but is a bit large to carry everywhere. Sony Ericsson 910 is smaller, but that small screen size and keyboard can make it less useful. Treo and iPaq was also considered. Any advice on which device to buy?"
I have a ericsson P900 (basically same as P910 without thumb keyboard) and putty is a pita without the flipdown keyboard that is on the 910, although the text is legible (just). The main prob is that the on screen keyboard always overlaps the display.
All the flips on these P series phones are vulnerable (although now much better than P800 ones) The nokia looks to be the better bet as it is more robust and the display would be great, and you will be less likely to leave it somewhere accidentally (no one used to lose their motorola 8500 bricks did they?)
Humorous signatures are over-rated.
NO Question - Blackberry
I use a TMobile 7230 - they are pretty inexpensive now. Combine with Idokorro Mobile SSH is extremely handy. Much more so than any of the TREO, Ipq etc I have used for remote admin. What sets the BlackBerry apart is the keyboard and special character handling. I have found it simply much easier to enter text into the BB. It really seems as though the Blackberry devices were designed as remote admin tools.
Prior to the BB I used an Ipaq 4550 (the one with a keyboard) with bluetooth and a seperate phone. This worked ok, and was convenient, but it seems that WinCe was designed solely for GUI use. There is no concept of an "escape" key, which limits terminal applications.
To be fail the Treo I used was the old BW model when they first came out with the keyboard. It was actually not too bad, but sill nothing compared to the BB. Compared to the newer Treo's the 7230 lacks the multimedia features, and linux syncronization. I cannot believe there is not more Linux software for this neat little machine, but I fully expect it to come eventually).
The killer features for me are the keyboard, durability (I have dropped in 3-4 feet onto concrete without damage - I dare you to try that with a $500 Treo), battery life (I go 2+ days with out charging. In short i have found this device to be great, I definately see how they earned the nickname crackberry.
-MS2k
I can only recommend the Nokia 9300 - almost identical to the 9500 in spec, except without wi-fi and a camera. In exchange for these features it is far smaller and much more friendly to carry - it is not much bigger than the Nokia 6310, but a bit chunkier and heavier.
There is an excellent implementation of PuTTY for the phone, and I use it daily. As long as you feel that most connections will be over GRPS instead of needing wi-fi there is no reason to go for the excessive bulk of the Nokia 9500.
-- Pete.
Monochrome - Probably the UK's largest internet BBS
I agree- something like the HTC Universal, or iMate Jasjar, or XDA professional, or whatever they're calling it these days.
"It is possible to commit no errors and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." -Peak Performance
I have one, and it is *not* too large to carry round with you, unless you habitually work in a bikini. A full suite of sysadmin-level tools are available third party, and you're rocking.
The 9300 is smaller, true, but not that much smaller, and while losing the camera is no great shakes, the Wi-Fi is mandatory. Having the higher bandwidth available in a coffeeshop, or just around work or site, for that matter, is something you'd miss if you didn't have it.
These things aren't called communicators for nothing, and don't forget you get a PDA and Office-type apps, too.
I've been a loyal fan of the genre for years, and can't get on with anything that doesn't have a keyboard for fat fingers like mine. I don't do handwriting recognition, either.
It's the *only* choice, my friend, and lucky for you, it is a *damn* good one.
I have a Treo650, and previously i had a Treo180. I have used both for ssh.
... If you want, there is even a portable keyboard for the treo 650.
The keyboard and screen is clearly not as good as a real computer, but i can manage. Even to type pipe, esc,
Otterbox made something that can protect your device, i use that when i ride my horse.
I go 3-5 days on my treo650, depending on how much i call. But one thing that REALLY bugs me, is that i can not use SSH while i am talking to a client. This is really annoying. Activating SSH drops the call. This is bad, so have this in mind. I dont know if other phones does this. Maybe other SSH applications does not have this problem.
If you can carry a small bag, get a real small laptop with a 8" or 10" display. Maybe a widescreen, because then it is not so big on one side, and may more easily fit a pocket in a jacket.
I wanted bluetooth, so getting the Nokia 9x00 was not an option. I also have a stereo headset which makes it much easier to hear people in noisy places.
My previous boss got me a Treo 650 and I loved it. The only fault I could find with it was sometimes Sprint's service was slow and the keyboard was almost too small. But I had a good freeware SSH client for it and used it for emergency server repair on more than one occasion.
My current boss bought me a Blackberry 7520. At first I didn't like it as much because the treo's screen is a bit better/brighter and the Treo could do more because it was Palm OS based. However, after carrying the blackberry for a month now, I've got to say that I do like it better. The SSH client I've got for it is as good or better and the service is almost always better than the Treo's. (Faster, more coverage and more stable) The keyboard is much easier to use. In fact the only 2 things I miss from my Treo are the camera and Verichat. (But I don't chat as much as I used to so that's really no great loss)
So if you've got to pick between the two...go Blackberry.
=C=
If you wanted me to agree with you, you shouldn't have given me Mod points.
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The benefit of the Treo IMO is its commonality as a platform; there are multiple options for Palm SSH clients. I currently use TuSSH, which is SSH2 compliant, supports identity files, and special characters, and has display modes up to 40x12.
Terrorists can attack freedom, but only Congress can destroy it.
I use a Treo 650 with the free "pssh". Works great. Has a 320px wide screen and fits comfortably in a front pocket.