Messages

91

Accessories / Cf Or Sd? What Do You All Suggest?

« on: May 06, 2005, 05:05:22 pm »

Sorry for bringing up an old thread, however I just bought a Zaurus 5500...

any memory card of decent size, but you'll...

if you want to be safe, the socket/symbol CF wlan card is a good bet - look on ebay. I'd avoid the ZoneNef ZCF1100 "Mercury" or other Senao cards. Avoid SD wireless cards with/without memory, there's no driver support.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=78494\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

 I'm unloading my 5500 soon, but I'll chime in that both

 D-Link DCF-660W (CF)
  and
 Sandisk Connect Low Power Wireless LAN Card (CF- without memory)

 work just fine in an SL-5500 and require no additional drivers.  The Sandisk uses about 15% - 20% less power.

 Also to the original poster about CF vs. SD.  You can get  an SD adapter for your CF slot.  It's basicallly the exact same size as a TypeII CF card and the SD card fits entirely inside it. Also works fine on the 5500.  You can also get ones that are the size of a Type I CF card, but the SD will stick out.

 Enjoy!

92

Accessories / Newbie (sorta) With C1000 Questions

« on: May 06, 2005, 03:39:11 pm »

  I've decided on the C1000 as opposed to the C3000 for battery life and price concerns.  Though I got...

The C1k and C3k have the same battery - the EA-BL11 1800mAh one. The EA-BL08 is 1700mAh. The C1k and 3k have exactly the same case - they're both a little larger than the 860.
[div align=\"right\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

 Thanks Kahm, you just save me $29+$25 bucks !

 PS - I discovered in the mean time that Conics actually sells the battery door (I think they basically just divy up factory door+battery sets and sell'em separately because they are both marked New/Open ) for $25.

 So for anyone who IS looking for the door you can get it there.  And you can get EA-BL08 here:

[a href=\"http://www.globalvillage.net/shop/Batteries-PDAs86.html]http://www.globalvillage.net/shop/Batteries-PDAs86.html[/url]

 For $29.

 Thanks again Kahm!

 Neeext........

93

General Discussion / Opinions On Movie Watching On C1000

« on: May 06, 2005, 03:18:25 pm »

I'm replacing my Jornada 720 suite with a C1000.  The J720 used (I believe) a DSTN type display which was not too great, but it worked alright.  You *could* watch a full length movie on it with Betaplayer if you shrank the movie down to <= 225mb if you didn't mind it hitching occasionally and being a little fuzzy to begin with.

 But as I am forging on ahead with this C1000 purchase I am wondering if I will see any great improvement.  The screen is higher resolution, and the CPU is 2X as fast so I should think it will be able to render better. But I've heard one or two people in HERE say that video playback was 'terrible' on the C1000.  Would the C860 do even better with it's dedicated ATI video hardware ?

 Just curious what other peoples experiences have been watching full length movies on the  C series of Z's in general, and the C1000 in particular.

 Thanks!

94

Accessories / Newbie (sorta) With C1000 Questions

« on: May 06, 2005, 03:07:04 pm »

I'm mentally planning out a foray into the new world of Zaurii.   Currently, I have what... 4 handheld computers (Jornada 720, Mobilepro 780+, Zaurus 5500, JP Cassiopeia), but soon I will likely sell them all to purchase a C1000 (since I just lost the Yopy auction on eBay...ARRRRGH!).

 It's kind of funny, I bought the Mobilepro and the Jornada basically because they were the only affordable clamshells out there....when what I REALLY wanted was a Zaurus in C series. You can do some nifty things with an HPC (JWPCE and Ministumbler come to mind), but I've decided to stop fooling around and actually go for what I want (if I could only apply this logic with women I might even have a chance at being a happy man...someday   ).  

 Anyway...

 So I now turn to you, the top echelons of the Zaurus community, the pundits without peer, as a 'newbie' seeking advice of all sorts (if you've seen my other posts you know I'm inquisitive).  And to that  end I have (probably the first of many) some specific accessory based questions.

 Though the sale of my other handhelds will include the majority of the accessories I've collected over the years, I am retaining the following items:

 - 1GB CF card
 - 256MB SD card
 - SD to CF adapter
 - D-Link DCF-660W CF 802.11b adapter
 -  4AA battery extender (I might sell this with the 5500, and get the a Semson
    version instead as I like the form factor better)

  I've decided on the C1000 as opposed to the C3000 for battery life and price concerns.  Though I got fairly good run times with my 5500 I definitely want a little more punch than 950mah.  I'm having trouble finding acurate info so I'll just ask What is the stock battery for the C1000 and what is it maH rating ?
 
   If it is not significantly better than the 5500's I will likely want to replace it with the venerable EA-BL08.  I've seen this battery offered bare for as little as $29, but I'll need the battery cover. Anyone know where I can pick one up that will work with the C1000 ?

 I've also seen ads for battery EA-BL11 and if I read them correctly, they say EA-BL11 (is THIS the stock battery for the C1000)  is rated at 1800maH.  Is this actually better than EA-BL08 ?  I am asking for confirmation of this because it appears that THIS battery has the same dimensions as the slimmer EA-BL06 and thus will not need the full size door/panel.

 Basically a little advice on the best route for longer lasting batteries would be appreciated.

 General C1000 purchase/use advice is also welcome...

 That's basically it for now, but as a side note, I've asked before but I'll ask again if anyone has any recomendations for CF modems (one of the main things I'll miss from the J720 is the internal 56k modem).

 Any information anyone would like to contribute would be greatly appreciated.  I am quite impressed by what I've seen from everyone so far in here.  I didn't realize Zaurus enthusiasm was as alive and productive as I am finding it to be.

 Thanks All!

PS - If you are interested in the other handhelds I am planning to sell I plan to put them up on eBay so you can watch for them there, or if you'd like to try to work out a direct deal, let me know.  I always like to give fellow contributers first shot whenever I sell stuff

95

General Discussion / How Is The Zaurus Doing In Japan?

« on: May 05, 2005, 04:49:54 pm »

 


 Well...then I guess I might see one or two while there for a year.


 And to think I harshed on the C-1000 when I read about it on Engadget because it didn't have more flash menmory (I was hoping that at leas 512mb would have been put in the chasm left by the removal of the HDD from the C-3000).  

 And it's No. 1  


 I supose I shouldn't be surprised.  Most people over there with the gadget fever will have at least a couple SD cards lying around that can be nigh permanently stuck in the SD slot, and it's a cheaper entry level price than an C3000.

 Heehee, yes...I am now actively trying to contrive a way to purchase one for myself    

 So I was wrong on this one, but happily so. I'm quite heartened to hear that the Zaurus line is flourishing...even if only over there.  The added chic of having to gray market import them is an additional (costly) bit of fun.

 Though I just might wait 'till I get over there to purchase mine.  Cause even with the best prices I'm finding online, it still looks like you can't get your hands on a NEW one in the US for under $600 all told.  Various sources (Conics, Dynamism, JapanDirect  {I think}, and even eBay) offer various price points, but the slack is always taken up in 'shipping' cost.  But for $200 less I might be willing to forgo having it to entertain me on the plane over (especially if I get that Yopy I've almost closed escrow on...).

 September can't come too soon...  

 PS - Anyone have any experience with the Yopy ?  I keep asking but no one seems to mention if Movie (AVI or MPeg) is of reasonably clarity and fidelity (smoothness).

 PPS - So I guess the coffee serving girl won't ask me what it is.  She'll probably just   laugh because I'm still running Qtopia while she has hers personaly tweaked with pdaXrom hanging from a lanyard around her neck with a tiny Hello Kitty fob...

 No,  September can't come too soon...

 Thanks all !

96

General Discussion / Psp Power Brick!

« on: May 05, 2005, 01:48:07 pm »

This looks dimensionaly like the PSP powerbrick and runs on 4 AA batteries (it's not what I mentioned in my previous post, but looks similar).  You can't recharge batts in this thing I don't think, but if you don't mind using alkaline or simply bring spare NiMhs with you this might do well enough, and it lists the Zaurus as compatible.

http://www.semsons.com/pdabatexpocp.html

Oh yeah, it's $6.99+shipping

 Since I may have actually found a G.Mate Yopy 3700 to buy can anyone tell me is this will likely power IT as well ?


 Update:

 Here's a little blurb about custom making your own homebrew power extender.
The main article highlights a ver basic design, but the comments after get into niftier stuff like adding diodes and lights and switches for extra safety and functionality.

 A good read...

 (Experiment at your own peril, I'm sure using a DIY power accessory will void any and ALL warantees)

 http://www.earthv.com/articles.asp?ArticleID=474

97

General Discussion / How Is The Zaurus Doing In Japan?

« on: May 03, 2005, 04:27:45 pm »

How is the Zaurus doing in Japan ?  It's profitable obviously, else Sharp would have dumped the product line (as they did here in the US), but are they popular over there ?

With so many functions available on their twitchy-sick cell phones and competition from Cassio and Sony I could see it remaining niche over there even if it is making a profit.

   When I get there in september, will I be able to stroll through the Akihabara and easily get an ad hoc connection to my Z equipt brethern native to the land of the rising sun, or will I end up spending several hours trying to interperet what the pretty girl who brings me my coffee in the french style cafe at Ueno station said when she pointed to my wifi sniffing Zaurus only to discover she just said "What's that ?" ?


  Also, how much does the C1000 cost there for local purchase ?


 Thanks all!

98

General Discussion / More Choice In Linux Based Pdas And Smartphones

« on: May 03, 2005, 04:10:22 pm »

The cry I keep hearing from both the Linux handheld camp and that of PocketPC is for more clamshells.  Adding all this power and special functions to devices such as these really makes them difficult to take full advantage of without a keyboard.

 I own (but will soon sell) both an HP Jornada 720 and an NEC Mobilepro 780 and they're great machines, but too big to be really convenient, and they don't really give you a tablet/slat option to work with.

 Sharps 'switchblade' (as I like to call it) approach with the C series seems to work great  as did the similarly styled Clie (though I've seen some that got twisted the WRONG way.  Ouch.).  I also think the Nexio detachable keyboard/screen cover has merit as well since it too allows you to use your device in a tablet or desktop style.  While I think the Gmate Yopy vertical approach, along the same lines as the Clie NZ90 , is better that the SL5500 sliding keyboard, I think the keyboard is best paired with a landscape layout and not portrait.

 But I'd definitely take a good look at a competetively priced linux handheld if it were SOME form of Clamshell.  But until then I'm happy with the Zaurus line...

99

General Discussion / Convince Me...please...

« on: May 01, 2005, 04:26:15 pm »

...

Hope that helps,

Andy
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 It helps IMMENSELY !  That's exactly the kind of info/user perspective I was hoping for.

 (But don't let Andy Hog all the fun,  I'd love to hear from others as well)

 I guess I would also have to factor in that any 860 I purchased at this point would likely be used as well.  IE questionable battery life, how many times has it been dropped, how hygenic was the previous owner, etc. etc...

 Hmm...

 Any thoughts from anyone about the extended life battery ?

This guy

[a href=\"http://www.foxpop.co.uk/elisa/Sharp/zaurus_02.htm]http://www.foxpop.co.uk/elisa/Sharp/zaurus_02.htm[/url]

 Has pictures of it, but he says that it comes with a cover not shown in them.  Is it worth the added bulk ?  How ,uch extra time do you get ?

 Thanks again to any and all !

100

General Discussion / Convince Me...please...

« on: May 01, 2005, 12:57:43 pm »

I think you mean the C3000 vs 860.

The 1000 is flash only like the 860 was. There never was an 850 model. The 4Gb HDD is only in the 3000 at the moment (unless you add a 4Gb CF card which you can do with an 860 as well)....


- Andy
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=77711\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

 Andy,

 It appears by your stats at the bottom of your post you have both an 860 and a 3000. So I suppose you could (if so inclined) answer most of my questions.  But I'd be interested in your overall opinion/advice (which will be taken in context and will not endemnify you in any way  ).

 Between the C1000 and C3000 I would go with the C1000 for price and battery concerns.  I would probably end up outfitting whatever Cxxxx I get with a 1gb CF card for media and 256-512mb SD for some media and programs, which is plenty for me.  But some of the reviews I''ve read say that the difference between the 860 and 1000  are incremental at best.  I know there are a couple OS tweaks and the CPU is 16mhz faster, and you get a D-button instead of arrow keys (which is probably more important to me than it should be...).  All three of which may in fact be minor.  I fact, one of the reveiws I read said that if you already have an 860 (which I don't) there's not much reason to upgrade to a C1000...

 I guess my real question would be, if I could get an 860 for say...$100+ less than a C1000 is there any real reason to go for the C1000 ?

(And ironically enough I have just done a quick search for the 860 on line.  Lots of places have phased it out, and those still offering it only charge like $50 more for a C1000 which I would pay simply for the tighter fitting beveled edges of the C1000)

 So if you or anyone else would like to contribute your thoughts/experiences/opinion in these areas as well, I'd apreciate it.

 Also, anyone have a recomendation for a CF modem ?  I know most of them are supposed to work OK, but if anyone has had good/or bad experiences with one model or another I'd love to hear about it...


 THANKS!

101

General Discussion / Psp Power Brick!

« on: May 01, 2005, 03:54:46 am »

so, will this baby work on c1000 / c3000 ?
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=76568\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

If it works on one Z, it'll work on another. ...
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=76621\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

 I have one of those 4 AA battery packs that I purchased for my SL-5500.  Does this mean that THAT will work for a Cx000 as well ?  (I was planning to sell it along with my 5500 to help finance the purchse of a C1000.  Dagnabit...I can't get ahead...)

 Conversely, will the 4AA battery pack work for PSP's ?  If so somebody should let the PSPites know...I think I got that thing for like $13 shipped...

102

General Discussion / Convince Me...please...

« on: May 01, 2005, 02:16:55 am »

(Watch it...I'm loooooooooooooooong winded...)


  Hello all,

 I'm gonna be moving to Japan in the fall (should have been this summer...stupid economy!) and be living there for a year while I go to school to learn Japanese.  Thus I'm both buying a bunch of stuff and selling a bunch of stuff.  Since I love my family and friends a whole lot, I want to keep in contact with them while I'm away.  And since I am  planning on a fair amount of intra-Nihon travel, mobile communication is a must.  Though I plan on purchasing a sick-ultra-techno-cool-only-in-Japan-cell-phone while I'm there, having emailed via phones before I think I'll be needing something with erm...1 letter per key...

 Thus far I have settled on an HP Jornada 720. It has an *almost* touch-typeable keyboard, a big screen and a built in modem.  Also a PCMCIA slot that allows me to use an excellent Enterasys wifi card, yielding all 14 Japanese wifi channels and Ministumbler (wifi detection agent).  It also plays movies and MP3's reasonably well.  The downside of it of course is that it's pretty big compared to most PDA's.  It's not really 'pocketable'.

 Of course, I was tantilized by the release of the SL-C3000 and it's luscious 4gb internal HDD.  But the $800 price tag made it an impossible dream.

 Enter the SL-C1000.

 At $500 it's almost doable.  I already have a D-Link Air 660W CF wifi card (that works with Kismet by the way) and a 1GB CF card for movies (I also have the odd 256mb SD card lying around).  It seems to me all I would need aditionally is a CF modem and the C1000 looks to be the equivilant or superior to the Jornada in almost every way.  Couple things I'm wondering about though that I'm hoping those with experience with the C1000 (I have a SL-5500, so I'm not totally unfamiliar with the Zaurus line) can share.

 - Battery Life: I've never seen a company acurately represent the battery life of any of their products.  How much time should I expect watching movies, playing MP3's, or surfing the web ? Also, I know wn extra long life battery is available in Japan, but it looks like it hangs out of the chasis somehow.  Any experience with it ?

- Movie Playback: The SL-5500 is a little grainy and a little jerky, but not so much that I wouldn't be willing to watch an entire film on it.  I would expect that with a better screen and a faster processor the C1000 is significantly better...and at the very least watchable.  Any comments on movie playback on the C1000 ?  Mpeg ? AVI ?

 - OS:  I forget when, but I know the basic underlying linux distro for the Zaurus line changed at some point.  I believe it's 'Lineo' now whereas it was something else back in the SL-5500 days.  I also considered the G.Mate Yopy 3700 as an alternative to the Jornada.  Many of the user reviews for it said that it operated faster than a C850 despite having a slower processor.  These comments pointed to the Debian based OS of the Yopy as being more efficient, thus dilivering better performance.  Has the OS improved with the C1000 and C3000 ?

- Kismet: I spent a fair amount of time getting Ministumbler to work on my Jornada so I can take advantage of the prolific unsecured wireless in Japan.  I would just like to make sure that Kismet works on the C1000.  Does it ?

 - C1000 or ?: I've also mused about perhaps purchasing a C850 instead.  Any compelling reason to go with the C1000 over the (cheaper now) C850 ?


  That's about it all I can thing of now.  Anyway, thanks for reading this far, and if you have any information you'd like to contribute I'd appreciate it.

 Thanks!

103

For Sale / Wanted / Wanted: Yp3700 For Buy/trade

« on: April 08, 2005, 01:56:58 pm »

I've owned and loved my Zaurus SL-5500 for about 2 years now, but it's time to move on.  


 I'm looking for a G.Mate Yopy 3700 in good condition (I don't want one for parts).  They're kinda tough to find, even at full price.   I could probably afford to drop $100 to $150 on it , but if you're looking to sell your Yopy and you think this is too low name a figure and we can talk.


 Or if you, like me, love gadgets but also like change maybe you'd be willing to trade a YP3700 for my SL-5500.  It is in great shape and would come with a bunch of accessories I obviously won't be needing anymore.

 I have:

 - Zarus SL-5500 base unit (w/ upgraded ROM)
 - Original docking cradle
 - Original AC adapter
 - Original Utility CD
 - 1 Additional Docking Cradle
 - 64mb SD card
 - 1 Travel AC adapter (can be used to power additional dock)
 - Sandisk Connect 802.11b CF Wifi  card
 - AA battery extender
 - USB IR Dongle (I used this at work before I got the 2nd dock)
 
  - *BONUS* If you want I can throw in a NEW in box SMC Internet Router with
     4-port ethernet switch and integrated 802.11b access point.   Or a used D-Link
     stand alone  802.11b AP if you already have an internet router (or you could add
     a second NIC on your PC and use the AP for ICS).  Your choice.  
   
     I'm gettin' rid of a bunch of stuff 'cause I'm going back to school soon.  So if there's  an item you need that might make a deal worthwhile to you...mention it...I just might have it. Ti-86 calculator...Leatherman Wave multi-tool...Jam PC Drawing Tablet...36" Blowgun...NEC Mobilepro 780 (Ugraded with a 790 ROM + accessories)...Jisatsu Kurabu (aka Suicide Circle) on DVD...Compaq Notebook 100 with Laptop backpack and various accessories...single lock handcuffs...a brick...anything...who knows...

 I'm just kinda puttin' it out there.  I'll probably have to sell the Z anyway to help finance my 1 year study abroad in Japan.  But if I can trade up for or reasonably purchase a YP3700 I'd love to have one to play with.  Does it run Kismet ?

 Thanks for reading and best wishes to all!

104

Software / Trouble with 'Kanji Nirvana'

« on: July 19, 2004, 03:43:00 am »

I'm a Japanese Language student hoping to get a little help.  I've been using my NEC Mobilepro as my electronic dictionary, but it's kinda big to lug around.  I'd really rather use my Zaurus SL-5500 instead as it is much more pocketable (hence I carry it around much more than my M (Mobilepro)).  I've downloaded and installed 'Kanji Nirvana 1.3' (The latest version if I'm not mistaken), but unfortunately I can't see any kanji.  It actually appears to be resolving typed and hand written words/kanji but it just displays underlines or boxes where the Kanji apear in all the screenshots I've seen.  Is there some other package/library that I'm missing  ?  A regional setting that I need to change ?

 Daredemo, boku ni tetsudaimasen ka  (was that even anywhere near correct ?)

 If anybody else has had and overcome this problem let me know.

 (Or if you've yet to overcome it and just wish to gripe along with me that's cool too...misery loves company... )

 Thanks all!