Distributions - Revision history

67.60.203.199: /* Debian */

67.60.203.199 — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 02:33:47 GMT

Debian

←Older revision		Revision as of 02:33, 26 December 2008
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	* Use familiar Debian concepts.		* Use familiar Debian concepts.
		+	* Instant access to 15000 binary packages compiled for your ARM processor from tons of Debian mirrors worldwide
	* Other advantages/disadvantages are not clear yet (''more experienced people should add details'').		* Other advantages/disadvantages are not clear yet (''more experienced people should add details'').

66.208.165.251: /* Applications */

66.208.165.251 — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:53:42 GMT

Applications

←Older revision		Revision as of 21:53, 14 May 2008
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	= Applications =		= Applications =

-	What matters to a user most is what applications are available and how ~~good~~ they run? This is a obviously a tough question and everyone holds an opinion about what's needed and what's good. Let's make a comparision table: '''(This needs work from people familiar with the distributions.)'''	+	What matters to a user most is what applications are available and how well they run? This is a obviously a tough question and everyone holds an opinion about what's needed and what's good. Let's make a comparision table: '''(This needs work from people familiar with the distributions.)'''

	{\| border="1" cellspacing="0"		{\| border="1" cellspacing="0"

80.228.252.58: /* Cacko */ It's Qtopia, Qt/Embedded 2.3.2 is just the toolkit

80.228.252.58 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:19:37 GMT

Cacko - It's Qtopia, Qt/Embedded 2.3.2 is just the toolkit

←Older revision		Revision as of 12:19, 27 December 2007
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	* supports most clamshell models: SL-C7x0/C860/C1000/C3100		* supports most clamshell models: SL-C7x0/C860/C1000/C3100
	* 100% English		* 100% English
-	* uses ~~QT/embedded~~ 1.5 just like ~~Sharp~~	+	* uses Qtopia 1.5.4 just like SharpROM
	* optimized for Zaurus screen resolution (PDA like environment)		* optimized for Zaurus screen resolution (PDA like environment)
	* Tetsu special kernel		* Tetsu special kernel

80.228.252.58: /* Sharp ROM */ Fixed Qt/E reference. It's 2.3.2, not 1.5

80.228.252.58 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:16:40 GMT

Sharp ROM - Fixed Qt/E reference. It's 2.3.2, not 1.5

←Older revision		Revision as of 12:16, 27 December 2007
Line 39:		Line 39:
	Sharp ships Zaurus initially configured with Trolltech's Qtopia. The software differs slightly from model to model. It's generally considered stable but lacks features found in other distributions.		Sharp ships Zaurus initially configured with Trolltech's Qtopia. The software differs slightly from model to model. It's generally considered stable but lacks features found in other distributions.

-	* uses ~~qt/embedded~~ 1.5	+	* uses Qtopia 1.5.4 and Qt/Embedded 2.3.2
	* optimized for Zaurus screen resolution (PDA like environment)		* optimized for Zaurus screen resolution (PDA like environment)
	* feeds with additional software are available		* feeds with additional software are available

Koan: Tiny tiny change to improve layout

Koan — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:48:47 GMT

Tiny tiny change to improve layout

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:48, 3 November 2007
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	* [[Dual Booting]] is somewhat difficult but still possible.		* [[Dual Booting]] is somewhat difficult but still possible.
	* [[Recovery]] details some of the procedures for restoring a Zaurus after a bad installation.		* [[Recovery]] details some of the procedures for restoring a Zaurus after a bad installation.
		+

	= Terminology =		= Terminology =

Koan: Moved some navigation links into the top

Koan — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:47:40 GMT

Moved some navigation links into the top

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:47, 3 November 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
-	'''Overview of available software distributions from a user's point of view:'''	+	'''Overview of available software distributions from a user's point of view.'''

	This article is aimed at explaining the different distributions in detail.		This article is aimed at explaining the different distributions in detail.
-	Users new to the Zaurus community should take a look at [[Introduction to Alternative ROMs]].	+
		+	* Users new to the Zaurus community should take a look at [[Introduction to Alternative ROMs]].
		+	* [[Kernels]], most people don't compile their own but there are a lot of kernels ready available.
		+	* [[Dual Booting]] is somewhat difficult but still possible.
		+	* [[Recovery]] details some of the procedures for restoring a Zaurus after a bad installation.

	= Terminology =		= Terminology =

Koan: Adding Debian

Koan — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 01:08:50 GMT

Adding Debian

←Older revision		Revision as of 01:08, 2 November 2007
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	* installs and preconfigures many of the most popular applications		* installs and preconfigures many of the most popular applications
	* [http://www.hentges.net/misc/ Hentges website]		* [http://www.hentges.net/misc/ Hentges website]
		+
		+	== Debian ==
		+
		+	There are several variants of Debian that can be run on Zaurus.
		+
		+	* Use familiar Debian concepts.
		+	* Other advantages/disadvantages are not clear yet (''more experienced people should add details'').
		+
		+	See [[Debian/Zaurus]].

	= Applications =		= Applications =

Koan: Clean up

Koan — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:48:19 GMT

Clean up

←Older revision		Revision as of 00:48, 2 November 2007
Line 18:		Line 18:
	The major issue here is the different kinds of GUIs used. Unless you are a software developer with some free time on your hand you probably want to choose a distribution that suits your needs. This page is to help you with that decision.		The major issue here is the different kinds of GUIs used. Unless you are a software developer with some free time on your hand you probably want to choose a distribution that suits your needs. This page is to help you with that decision.

-	[[pdaXrom]], OZ/GPE, debian and pocketworkstation run on top of X. This is what all Linux desktop GUIs use which makes porting software (such as from GNOME) possible but not trivial. OZ/OPIE, Sharp/Qtopia and Cacko use qt/embedded. qt is a free (partly as in speech, partly as in beer) toolkit to write GUIs for windows and X desktops, qt/embedded however differs from regular desktop qt, which again makes porting software (such as from KDE) possible but not trivial.	+	[[pdaXrom]], OZ/GPE, debian and pocketworkstation run on top of X. This is what all Linux desktop GUIs use which makes porting software (such as from GNOME) possible but not trivial. OZ/OPIE, Sharp/Qtopia and Cacko use qt/embedded. QT is a free (partly as in speech, partly as in beer) toolkit to write GUIs for windows and X desktops, QT/embedded however differs from regular desktop QT, which again makes porting software (such as from KDE) possible but not trivial.

-	All the Sharp Zaurus applications are binary compatible across distros, so as long as they don't require a GUI and are command line based, they should work, however, they have different library dependencies which is where the biggest compatibility problem is. Sharp, Cacko and pdaXrom use GLIB 2.2.x whereas PocketWorkstation/Debian and OZ use GLIB 2.3.x. Applications that are not ~~dependant~~ on the latest GLIB features, usually can run on any Zaurus distro.	+	All the Sharp Zaurus applications are binary compatible across distros, so as long as they don't require a GUI and are command line based, they should work, however, they have different library dependencies which is where the biggest compatibility problem is. Sharp, Cacko and pdaXrom use GLIB 2.2.x whereas PocketWorkstation/Debian and OZ use GLIB 2.3.x. Applications that are not dependent on the latest GLIB features, usually can run on any Zaurus distro.

	That said, the binaries may run, however, the package will not install because there are two different package formats for the IPK files as well. Sharp/Cacko and pdaXrom use an older IPK format that is in essence a tgz file containing tgz files. Debian and OZ use a newer format which the ipkg commands in the other distros cannot read and extract. There are tools around to convert between the package formats.		That said, the binaries may run, however, the package will not install because there are two different package formats for the IPK files as well. Sharp/Cacko and pdaXrom use an older IPK format that is in essence a tgz file containing tgz files. Debian and OZ use a newer format which the ipkg commands in the other distros cannot read and extract. There are tools around to convert between the package formats.
Line 30:		Line 30:
	= Common distributions =		= Common distributions =

-	== Sharp ~~retail~~ ROM ==	+	== [[Sharp ROM]] ==

	Sharp ships Zaurus initially configured with Trolltech's Qtopia. The software differs slightly from model to model. It's generally considered stable but lacks features found in other distributions.		Sharp ships Zaurus initially configured with Trolltech's Qtopia. The software differs slightly from model to model. It's generally considered stable but lacks features found in other distributions.
Line 50:		Line 50:
	* supports most clamshell models: SL-C7x0/C860/C1000/C3100		* supports most clamshell models: SL-C7x0/C860/C1000/C3100
	* 100% English		* 100% English
-	* uses qt/embedded 1.5 just like Sharp	+	* uses QT/embedded 1.5 just like Sharp
	* optimized for Zaurus screen resolution (PDA like environment)		* optimized for Zaurus screen resolution (PDA like environment)
	* Tetsu special kernel		* Tetsu special kernel
	* Based on kernel 2.4.18, Anton back ported many updates and drivers from the later 2.4 kernel		* Based on kernel 2.4.18, Anton back ported many updates and drivers from the later 2.4 kernel
-	* Many device drivers are included for hardware such as CF ~~bluetooth~~ & ~~wifi~~, CF ~~usb~~ host, etc	+	* Many device drivers are included for hardware such as CF Bluetooth & WiFi, CF USB host, etc
-	* supports ~~wifi~~ networking very well, including WPA (if using a card with hostap drivers)	+	* supports WiFi networking very well, including WPA (if using a card with hostap drivers)

	Cacko uses a compressed file system to store the main file system, and thus is quite space efficient; the downside is there are quite a few symbolic links in the read-write file system into the loopback-mounted cramfs file system in order to allow patching and changes.		Cacko uses a compressed file system to store the main file system, and thus is quite space efficient; the downside is there are quite a few symbolic links in the read-write file system into the loopback-mounted cramfs file system in order to allow patching and changes.
Line 61:		Line 61:
	[http://my-zaurus.narod.ru/cacko.html]		[http://my-zaurus.narod.ru/cacko.html]

-	== ~~tkcrom~~ ==	+	== tkcROM ==
-	An interesting modified Sharp ~~rom~~. Certain apps stripped out, available as ipks. Home on SD but with a different method to the Cacko/Crow ~~roms~~. Also has recently been given a modified initrd to enable SD~~>2GB~~. See ~~this Wiki page,~~ [[Available ROMs for the SL-5x00]]	+	An interesting modified Sharp ROM. Certain apps stripped out, available as ipks. Home on SD but with a different method to the Cacko/Crow ROM. Also has recently been given a modified initrd to enable SD cards larger than 2 GB. See [[Available ROMs for the SL-5x00]] also.

-	== pdaXrom ==	+	== [[pdaXrom]] ==

	===pdaXrom current (r121 and later)===		===pdaXrom current (r121 and later)===
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	[http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/pdaxiing.html], [[pdaXiiNG]]		[http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/pdaxiing.html], [[pdaXiiNG]]

-	== ~~OpenZaurus~~ ==	+	== Open Zaurus ==

-	~~OpenZaurus~~ supports all Zaurus models (except SL-A300 which is very rare device). It's the only one distribution with 2.6 kernel for some models.	+	[[Open Zaurus]] supports all Zaurus models (except SL-A300 which is very rare device). It's the only one distribution with 2.6 kernel for some models.

	Many device drivers are included for hardware such as CF cards (bluetooth, wifi, usb host, modems, gps etc).		Many device drivers are included for hardware such as CF cards (bluetooth, wifi, usb host, modems, gps etc).
Line 144:		Line 144:

	* spelled Angstrom with °A=Å und "o=ö		* spelled Angstrom with °A=Å und "o=ö
-	* future of ~~OpenZaurus~~	+	* future of Open Zaurus.

	=== Hentges ===		=== Hentges ===

-	* based on ~~OpenZaurus~~ and maintained by Matthias Hentges	+	* based on Open Zaurus and maintained by Matthias Hentges
-	* Uses the ~~OpenZaurus~~ feeds	+	* Uses the Open Zaurus feeds
	* installs and preconfigures many of the most popular applications		* installs and preconfigures many of the most popular applications
	* [http://www.hentges.net/misc/ Hentges website]		* [http://www.hentges.net/misc/ Hentges website]
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	* Run Debian in a chroot environment		* Run Debian in a chroot environment
-	* ~~Any debian~~ ARM packages is available without porting.	+	* All Debian ARM packages are available without porting.

	[http://wiki.debian.org/?PocketWorkstationXQT/]		[http://wiki.debian.org/?PocketWorkstationXQT/]

Koan: /* Sharp Compatibility */

Koan — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:52:40 GMT

Sharp Compatibility

←Older revision		Revision as of 00:52, 31 October 2007
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	== Sharp Compatibility ==		== Sharp Compatibility ==

-	* ~~librariers~~ are available to support applications build for the Sharp ROM on other ROMs.	+	* libraries are available to support applications build for the Sharp ROM on other ROMs.

Koan: Tidy up

Koan — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:51:43 GMT

Tidy up

←Older revision		Revision as of 00:51, 31 October 2007
Line 18:		Line 18:
	The major issue here is the different kinds of GUIs used. Unless you are a software developer with some free time on your hand you probably want to choose a distribution that suits your needs. This page is to help you with that decision.		The major issue here is the different kinds of GUIs used. Unless you are a software developer with some free time on your hand you probably want to choose a distribution that suits your needs. This page is to help you with that decision.

-	pdaXrom, OZ/GPE, debian and pocketworkstation run on top of X. This is what all Linux desktop GUIs use which makes porting software (such as from GNOME) possible but not trivial. OZ/OPIE, Sharp/Qtopia and Cacko use qt/embedded. qt is a free (partly as in speech, partly as in beer) toolkit to write GUIs for windows and X desktops, qt/embedded however differs from regular desktop qt, which again makes porting software (such as from KDE) possible but not trivial.	+	[[pdaXrom]], OZ/GPE, debian and pocketworkstation run on top of X. This is what all Linux desktop GUIs use which makes porting software (such as from GNOME) possible but not trivial. OZ/OPIE, Sharp/Qtopia and Cacko use qt/embedded. qt is a free (partly as in speech, partly as in beer) toolkit to write GUIs for windows and X desktops, qt/embedded however differs from regular desktop qt, which again makes porting software (such as from KDE) possible but not trivial.

-	All the Sharp Zaurus applications are binary compatible across distros, so as long as they don't require a GUI and are command line based, they should work, however, they have different library dependencies which is where the biggest ~~compatability~~ problem is. Sharp/Cacko and pdaXrom use GLIB 2.2.x whereas PocketWorkstation/Debian and OZ use GLIB 2.3.x. Applications that are not dependant on the latest GLIB features, usually can run on any Zaurus distro.	+	All the Sharp Zaurus applications are binary compatible across distros, so as long as they don't require a GUI and are command line based, they should work, however, they have different library dependencies which is where the biggest compatibility problem is. Sharp, Cacko and pdaXrom use GLIB 2.2.x whereas PocketWorkstation/Debian and OZ use GLIB 2.3.x. Applications that are not dependant on the latest GLIB features, usually can run on any Zaurus distro.

	That said, the binaries may run, however, the package will not install because there are two different package formats for the IPK files as well. Sharp/Cacko and pdaXrom use an older IPK format that is in essence a tgz file containing tgz files. Debian and OZ use a newer format which the ipkg commands in the other distros cannot read and extract. There are tools around to convert between the package formats.		That said, the binaries may run, however, the package will not install because there are two different package formats for the IPK files as well. Sharp/Cacko and pdaXrom use an older IPK format that is in essence a tgz file containing tgz files. Debian and OZ use a newer format which the ipkg commands in the other distros cannot read and extract. There are tools around to convert between the package formats.
Line 32:		Line 32:
	== Sharp retail ROM ==		== Sharp retail ROM ==

-	Sharp ships ~~Zaurii~~ with ~~Japanese/English software based on~~ Trolltech's Qtopia. The software differs from model to model. It's generally considered stable but lacks features found in other distributions~~. Due to Qtopia's commercial license it's not open enough for a true linux PDA~~.	+	Sharp ships Zaurus initially configured with Trolltech's Qtopia. The software differs slightly from model to model. It's generally considered stable but lacks features found in other distributions.

	* uses qt/embedded 1.5		* uses qt/embedded 1.5
Line 62:		Line 62:

	== tkcrom ==		== tkcrom ==
-	An interesting modified Sharp rom. Certain apps stripped out, available as ipks. Home on SD but with a different method to the Cacko/Crow roms. Also has recently been given a modified initrd to enable SD>2GB. See this Wiki page, [[~~http://www.oesf.org/index.php?title=Available_ROMs_for_the_SL-5x00 Available_ROMs_for_the_SL~~-5x00]]	+	An interesting modified Sharp rom. Certain apps stripped out, available as ipks. Home on SD but with a different method to the Cacko/Crow roms. Also has recently been given a modified initrd to enable SD>2GB. See this Wiki page, [[Available ROMs for the SL-5x00]]
		+
	== pdaXrom ==		== pdaXrom ==

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	[http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/pdaxiing.html], [[pdaXiiNG]]		[http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/pdaxiing.html], [[pdaXiiNG]]

-	== ~~OpenEmbedded/~~OpenZaurus ==	+	== OpenZaurus ==
-		+
-	~~OpenEmbedded is a not a distribution, it's a build system used by developers.~~	+

	OpenZaurus supports all Zaurus models (except SL-A300 which is very rare device). It's the only one distribution with 2.6 kernel for some models.		OpenZaurus supports all Zaurus models (except SL-A300 which is very rare device). It's the only one distribution with 2.6 kernel for some models.
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	[http://wiki.debian.org/?PocketWorkstationXQT/]		[http://wiki.debian.org/?PocketWorkstationXQT/]

-	== Sharp~~-compat~~ ==	+	== Sharp Compatibility ==

	* librariers are available to support applications build for the Sharp ROM on other ROMs.		* librariers are available to support applications build for the Sharp ROM on other ROMs.