General

From OESF

Revision as of 01:00, 5 December 2004

What is the Zaurus?

• A Linux- and Java-based PDA from Sharp
  

The Zaurus PDA that this FAQ discusses is the new Linux- and Java-based PDA which was released in the US and Europe by Sharp in the 1st Quarter of 2002.

Last updated: 2002.Apr.06

• The SL-5000D
  

Identical to the SL-5500 (below) except with only 32MB of RAM.

Applies to: SL-5000D
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09

• The SL-5500
  

Specifications of the original SL-5500 model were:

• 206MHz StrongARM CPU
• 64MB RAM (for storage and memory)
• 16MB ROM (for OS and built-in apps; flashable/upgradable)
• 240x320 16bpp (65536 colors) frontlit 3.5" LCD
• Linux 2.4 kernel (Lineo's Embedix)
• PersonalJava (Insignia's Jeode)
• Opera Web browser
• Qtopia (Trolltech's Qt/Embedded plus apps.)
• Stereo audio out / Mono audio in (1/8" headphone jack)
• Buzzer (for alarms/etc.)
• On-screen handwriting recognition (with word-completion)
• On-screen keyboard (with word-completion)
• On-screen letter pickboard (with word-completion)
• UNICode character-picker
• 37-key QWERTY thumbpad (similar to Blackberry RIM pagers)
• IR port
• USB/Serial docking station
• Compact Flash Type-2 expansion port
• Secure Digital / Mulitmedia Card (MMC) expansion port
• Rechargable removable battery (Lithium-Ion) (950mA)

Note: On the original SL-5500
This is changed in newer models (e.g. SL-5600)
ROMs (e.g. Sharp's 3.10 ROM for SL-5500).

Applies to: SL-5500
Last updated: 2002.Apr.06

• The SL-5600
  

The SL-5600 released in the US in early 2003:

• 400MHz X-Scale CPU
• 32MB RAM (for and memory)
• 64MB ROM (for OS, built-in apps, and internal storage)
• 240x320 16bpp (65536 colors) frontlit 3.5" LCD
• Linux 2.4 kernel (Lineo's Embedix)
• PersonalJava (Insignia's Jeode)
• Opera Web browser
• Qtopia (Trolltech's Qt/Embedded plus apps.)
• Stereo audio out / Mono audio in (1/8" headphone jack)
• Buzzer (for alarms/etc.)
• Built-in mono speaker
• Built-in mic
• On-screen handwriting recognition (with word-completion)
• On-screen keyboard (with word-completion)
• On-screen letter pickboard (with word-completion)
• UNICode character-picker
• 37-key QWERTY thumbpad (similar to Blackberry RIM pagers)
• IR port
• USB/Serial docking station
• Compact Flash Type-2 expansion port
• Secure Digital / Mulitmedia Card (MMC) expansion port
• Rechargable

Applies to: SL-5600
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09

• The SL-A300
  

Only available in Japan! Identical to the SL-5500 minus the CF slot (available as an add-on sleeve) and built-in QWERTY keyboard.

Applies to: SL-C700
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09

• The SL-C700
  

Only available in Japan!
The first clamshell model of the Linux-based Zaurus.

• 400MHz X-Scale CPU
• 32MB RAM (for and memory)
• 64MB ROM (for OS, built-in apps, and internal storage)
• 640x480 16bpp (65536 colors) frontlit 3.5" LCD
• Linux 2.4 kernel (Lineo's Embedix)
• PersonalJava (Insignia's Jeode)
• NetFront web browser
• Qtopia (Trolltech's Qt/Embedded plus apps.)
• Stereo audio out / Mono audio in (1/8" headphone jack)
• Buzzer (for alarms/etc.)
• On-screen handwriting recognition (with word-completion)
• On-screen keyboard (with word-completion)
• On-screen letter pickboard (with word-completion)
• UNICode character-picker
• 59-key QWERTY keyboard (larger than the SL-5x00 series)
• IR port
• USB/Serial docking station
• Compact Flash Type-2 expansion port
• Secure Digital / Mulitmedia Card (MMC) expansion port
• Rechargable removable battery (Lithium-Ion) (950mA)

Applies to: SL-C700
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09

• The SL-C750
  

Identical to the SL-C700 except with a PXA-255 X-Scale CPU rather than PXA-250 and 64MB of RAM.

Applies to: SL-C750
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09

• The SL-C760
  

Identical to the SL-C700 except with a PXA-255 X-Scale CPU rather than PXA-250 1700mA battery.
Applies to: SL-C760
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09

How does it relate to other Zauruses?

• It is similar in form-factor to Japanese MI models
  

The Linux-based Zaurus (SL-5500 and the development version SL-5000D) are similar only in that they are from Sharp and have the same shape and exterior features (keyboard, screen, etc)

The Zaurus discussed in this document runs Lineo's Embedix brand of Linux and uses a 206MHz ARM CPU. The earlier Zauruses released in Japan use a proprietary OS from Sharp and a different CPU. They are not compatible.

Here is an FAQ for the Japanese model Zauruses:
http://zaurus.biojapan.de/zaufaq.html

Source: Rump Armin
Last updated: 2002.Apr.20

Why should I care about the Zaurus?

• It's a powerful PDA
  

With a 206MHz ARM processor, 64MB of RAM, 16bit graphics and not one but two expansion slots it's among the most powerful PDAs on the market today. It's capable of wireless access, digital photography, music and video playback, full-featured web browsing, gaming, and much more.

Last updated: 2002.Apr.02

• It runs Linux - Great for Linux hackers!
  

People accustomed to Linux are used to a powerful, stable, open operating system. By using a Zaurus, they get this in their pocket, down to the shell prompt!

Last updated: 2002.Apr.02

• It runs Linux - Great for the end-user!
  

While many believe Linux isn't easy enough to use for end-users, on a pre-packaged device like the Zaurus, the underlying OS is transparent - the user rarely needs to think about it. And because it runs Linux, there are already many thousands of potential Zaurus developers in the world who will be creating the Zaurus applications of the future, and, thanks to the openness of Linux, helping perfect the Zaurus' existing system software and applications.

Last updated: 2002.Apr.02

• It's got a built-in keyboard
  

The built-in, hide-away, 37-key QWERTY keyboard (similar to those on some pagers, and available as add-ons for other PDAs) provides an extremely fast method for inputing data onto your Zaurus. Many have already found the keyboard much more convenient than using the Zaurus' trainable handwriting recognition software or on-screen keyboard.

Last updated: 2002.Apr.02</font>

• It's expandable
  

With both a CF slot and an SD slot, you can add both extra storage space AND useful accessories to the Zaurus at the same time. (Accessories like a digital camera, a GPS device, a wireless NIC, or a modem.)

Last updated: 2002.Apr.02

Where can I buy a Zaurus in the US?

• Directly from Sharp's US website
  

Sharp's US website has the Zaurus available
Applies to: SL-5500
Last updated: 2002.Apr.02</font>

• At electronic retailers
  

In the US they are available at:

• Fry's Electronics / Outpost.com
• Office Depot
• Best Buy
• Amazon.com
• Good Guys
• Staples
• Mobile Planet
• Circuit City

Applies to: SL-5500
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09

Where can I buy the Zaurus in Canada?

• Currently, you can not buy it IN Canada

The final decision as to whether the Zaurus will be marketed in Canada has not been made. If it will be, it will be available in October 2002. (See "Where else-", below)

Source: Maria Iacovino Last updated: 2002.Apr.09

Where can I buy the Zaurus in Japan?

• Currently the SL-5500 is not available in Japan

Probably to keep from diluting the ~25% marketshare Sharp enjoys in Japan with the MI models (which use a different CPU and OS than the SL series), it appears Sharp hasn't yet announced plans to ship the Linux-based SL series in Japan

Last updated: 2002.Apr.09

Where can I buy a Zaurus in Germany?

• Check Sharp's German Zaurus website
  

Sharp's German website zaurus.de may be helpful.

Source: Gilles Fedak Applies to: SL-5500G
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09

• From numerous dealers
  

• abyte.de
• CatworkX
• Linuxland
• Lisa
• here
• Palmshop
• Trisoft

Source: Gilles Fedak Applies to: SL-5500G
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09

Where can I buy a Zaurus in Australia?

• Everything Linux
  

www.everythinglinux.com.au

Source: Sonia Hamilton
Last updated: 2003.Jun.09

Where else can I buy a Zaurus?

• From PC Connection
  

PC Connection apparently will ship anywhere (even Canada). (The Zaurus is here)

Source: Sebastien Routier
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09

• From J and R
  

J & Rsells the Zaurus

Source: John Huynh</i>
Last updated: 2002.Apr.09

• From Xtops.de
  

Xtops.de sells the Zaurus

Source: Lionel Bouchpan-Lerust-Juery
Last updated: 2002.Apr.12

In what order did the different Zaurus SL models come out?

• SL-5000D (Developer model)

SL-5500 SL-A300 (Japan only) SL-C700 (Japan only, but there are several exporters) SL-B500 (Japan only) SL-5600 (English version of SLB500) SL-C750 (Japan only, but there are several exporters) SL-C760 (Japan only, but there are several exporters) SL-C860 (Japan only, but there are several exporters) SL-6000 (US, targed for the enteprise market) SL-3000 (Japan only, but there are several exporters)

Source: tumnus, additions by offroadgeek Last updated: 2004.Dec.04

===Where can I buy a Zaurus in the UK?

• The Zaurus SL line has currently been discontinued by Sharp in the UK, although some websites sell refurbished Zaurii and returned stock. Two such websites are:

http://www.expansys.com http://www.digi-uk.co.uk

Of course Zaurii can also be found on eBay UK, but as always you must be careful when buying from online auction sites.

Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.08</ul>

What is OPIE?

• Open Palmtop Integrated Environment
  

OPIE stands for Open Palmtop Integrated Environment and it is a fork of the open-source version of Trolltech's Qtopia (The Zaurus comes with a commercial version of Qtopia). OPIE is used as a graphical environment on iPAQs with Linux installed and by the OpenZaurus ROM. The OPIE homepage is: >http://opie.handhelds.org

Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.10

What is OpenZaurus?

• OpenZaurus = Open Source!
  

OpenZaurus is a completely open-source and free ROM for the Zaurus. The OpenZaurus homepage is: >http://www.openzaurus.org

Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.10

How do I keep the case around the screen from getting scratches from the screen protector/case?

• Clear nail polish!
  

Theres an easy fix for this: Clear nail polish. Just put it around the screen and it should keep it from scratching.

It might also be a good idea to put some on each key on the keyboard to keep the letters from wearing off. Just remember to let it dry before using it.

Source: W8TVI Last updated: 2003.Oct.26

How do you pronounce 'Zaurus'?

• zaw-russ is the most common pronunciation.

Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.31

What is the plural of Zaurus?

• There is no official definition, but the most commonly used term is 'zaurii'.

Source: tumnus Last updated: 2003.Oct.31

What are these dog names for the Zaurii? What are Corgi, Poodle etc?

• These are nicknames assigned to each Zaurus model by the OpenZaurus team. They are as follows:

5000D / 5500 = Collie 5600 / B500 = Poodle C700 = Corgi C750 = Shepherd C760 = Husky C860 = Unassigned at the moment but I predict it will be Husky as it's architecture is identical to the C760 and the C760 series has been discontinued. 6000 = ??? C3000 = ???

Source: Foxdie Last updated: 2003.Dec.10 zug@foxdie.co.uk

What if I want to read the entire FAQ without performing a search? Like--just download it, print it out, and go sit on the pot with it.

• Download the ipk version (linked from the top FAQ page) and install it on your Zaurus. This installs HTML pages on your Zaurus that you can read with Opera/Netfront offline. The only caveat is that the ipk is not completely up to date.

Source: tumnus Last updated: 2004.Feb.09