OESF Portables Forum

Everything Else => Sharp Zaurus => Model Specific Forums => Distros, Development, and Model Specific Forums => Archived Forums => C1000/3x00 Hardware => Topic started by: teh.sean on April 23, 2008, 09:38:10 pm

Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: teh.sean on April 23, 2008, 09:38:10 pm
I'm slow. I just found out about these not too long ago. I'm trying to decide between a 3100 or a 3200. I want to try out a few linux flavors (and maybe OpenBSD), use it for offsite monitoring of my home network, and some light emulation.

So I pose the question to you guys, 'What do you do primarily with your Zaurus?'
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: matthis on April 24, 2008, 02:11:44 am
- Listen to music and watch movies in the train.
- Note appointments/schedule
- Use dictionaries for translation.
- Play gameboy advance games.
- Check e-mail.

(using Sharp rom)
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: Capn_Fish on April 24, 2008, 07:54:09 am
-Web browsing
-E-Mail
-Programming
-Games
-Wireless sniffing
-OS tinkering

Probably more that I'm forgetting...

PS- The C3100 and the C3200 are the SAME (just the C3200 has 2GB more in the HDD). Get whichever is cheaper
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: zogs on April 24, 2008, 07:59:18 am
- pentesting
- c programming
- perl programming
- shell script programming
- php+mysql for web server programming
- mass storage
- for watch movie (if I have one)
- for listen music

(now with pdaxrom b3 because is the best)

OpenBSD is very cool (real OS in your zaurus) but very slow when compiling from ports or from source.
For me OpenBSD is the best if :
- have more packages precompiled
- have mass storage function for one hd fat32 formated (like cacko, pdaxrom, angstrom, etc)
and other stuff for using like a pda.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: teh.sean on April 24, 2008, 08:29:08 am
Quote from: zogs
OpenBSD is very cool (real OS in your zaurus) but very slow when compiling from ports or from source.
For me OpenBSD is the best if :
- have more packages precompiled
- have mass storage function for one hd fat32 formated (like cacko, pdaxrom, angstrom, etc)
and other stuff for using like a pda.
It sounds like it would almost be a good idea to get a second Zaurus devoted to compiling, sitting around at home doing the dirty work. I mean, I would *HATE* to have to get two of these things. ; )
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: apink on April 24, 2008, 03:05:22 pm
-mobile spreadsheet for use at work.  This is why I bought it.  It saves a lot of time  .
-pim stuff
-learning linux

I am a neophyte in the computer world and really appreciate the support in the forums here.  The Z is a great tool in large part because of the efforts of all of the people who have worked on its development in the community here.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: Jon_J on April 24, 2008, 07:43:43 pm
I really like the form factor.  I already have a Palm, but purchased 2 Zauri for the reasons below.

1. Learning Linux
It has helped me a lot in learning about how Linux works, although the Sharp/Cacko ROM have an "unusual" file system setup, and pdaxii13 runs entirely in root.

2. Webpage reading
I really like to use it to read webpages that I save for later. I have also found that a lot of document formats, when converted to a webpage with larger bold fonts, are a breeze to read while on the go, on my Z.
I also like to surf the web, although the wifi "b" standard is kinda slow.

3. Games.
I play mostly RPG type games, that don't need the latest 3-D graphics. I find that I enjoy a well thought out storyline better than a game that barely runs because the graphics are too resource hungry.

4. Portable dictionary and wiki - unit converter
These come in very handy while away from my desktop PC.

5. Digital camera companion
The screen is fantastic compared to most camera's built-in viewers. I can save a lot of space on my camera cards by reviewing and deleting unwanted photos.

6. Many more things, too many to mention in this short post.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: adf on April 25, 2008, 12:36:42 pm
Quote from: Capn_Fish
-Web browsing
-E-Mail
-Programming
-Games
-Wireless sniffing
-OS tinkering

Probably more that I'm forgetting...

PS- The C3100 and the C3200 are the SAME (just the C3200 has 2GB more in the HDD). Get whichever is cheaper
I thought the 3100 had an earlier revision of the pxa 270 that was more conducive to overclocking?
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: HoloVector on April 25, 2008, 01:42:09 pm
Quote from: adf
Quote from: Capn_Fish
-Web browsing
-E-Mail
-Programming
-Games
-Wireless sniffing
-OS tinkering

Probably more that I'm forgetting...

PS- The C3100 and the C3200 are the SAME (just the C3200 has 2GB more in the HDD). Get whichever is cheaper
I thought the 3100 had an earlier revision of the pxa 270 that was more conducive to overclocking?
Technically yes but, realistically it doesn't matter all that much since you can still stably get up to 624MHz out of the processor in a 3200 just like a 3100.  The key is only boost the processor frequency and not the rest of the frequencies.  That means that a 3100 will be a hair faster since it can take 624/312/156MHz just like my 1000 but, you will probably get an annoying backlight flicker that will drive you batty (just like my 1000 gets).

Here's what my Zs are used for:

C1000 (Cacko 1.23)

-ScummVM (gotta have my Adventure Collection with me at all times)  
-Calendar Reminders (not so much since I got an iPod Touch)
-tkcMahJongg and Shanghai
-MP3s (not so much since I got an iPod Touch)
-TextMaker
-tkcPanels (got it for my son but these jigsaws can be addicting)    
-Qtopia Interface Hacking (for my son's C860)
-Light Web Browsing

C3200 (pdaXii13 5.4.9 Akita upgraded to Alice Full)

-Learning Linux
-Testing and customizing Window Managers (Working with e17 and iceWM mainly)
-ScummVM (TyScummVM version.  The best version for playing the Broken Sword versions with full cutscenes!)  
-Heavier Web Browsing (not so much since I got an iPod Touch)

Lately, I have been using the C1000 more than the C3200 because the work I doing on my son's C860 (which is also running Cacko 1.23) to customize it for a 6 year olds use.  It been challenging since he can't fully read yet....
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: speculatrix on April 25, 2008, 04:47:48 pm
web browsing, wifi sniffing, serial console for managing cisco network kit, ssh terminal using openvpn client *, rss reader, media player (mp3, movies, internet radio streams), vnc or rdesktop client to control media player, VOIP phone (saves me money on international calls when I'm in USA calling UK).

basically, anything you can do on a micro laptop. so long as you're willing to invest a bit of time especialy when it comes to transcoding videos if that's your thing.

* when I am on call it's nice to not have to break out the laptop, I have an audiobox GPRS card giving me mobile data, but I can also use a bluetooth card to talk to a 3G mobile phone too; not tried employer's huawei e172 usb modem with the zaurus yet as I think I need a powered hub.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: teh.sean on April 26, 2008, 12:33:16 am
Wow, a lot of stuff I did not know was possible. I bought a 3100, just waiting for it to come in. *twiddles thumbs* Guess I`ll have a replacement for my Libretto 70 now! What software package is good for internet radio? There are a few ogg streams I listen to (if you like bleeps and bloops check out kohina.org). Would it be like xmms?
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: jh on April 26, 2008, 01:29:35 am
Quote from: teh.sean
Wow, a lot of stuff I did not know was possible. I bought a 3100, just waiting for it to come in. *twiddles thumbs* Guess I`ll have a replacement for my Libretto 70 now! What software package is good for internet radio? There are a few ogg streams I listen to (if you like bleeps and bloops check out kohina.org). Would it be like xmms?
That may depend on the image you choose for your 3100... I'm running pdaXii13 on my C1000 and honestly, the best setup I have found so far for listening to music (mp3's and streaming in my case) is Rox configured to play mp3 files via mplayer.

Quasar is a close 2nd, but I don't think it does streaming.  I've tried xmms but (to me) it seems to be a bit too much for my Z.

jason
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: speculatrix on April 26, 2008, 05:35:54 pm
Quote from: teh.sean
Wow, a lot of stuff I did not know was possible. I bought a 3100, just waiting for it to come in. *twiddles thumbs* Guess I`ll have a replacement for my Libretto 70 now! What software package is good for internet radio? There are a few ogg streams I listen to (if you like bleeps and bloops check out kohina.org). Would it be like xmms?

there's a shoutcast client that runs on cacko/sharp.

I found that Kino, the media player for cacko, didn't like some streaming media URLs, but you can play directly with mplayer, and I hacked up a command line app to play an m3u and pls file instead.

not sure if Quasar media player will do streaming media?

on angstrom or debian, there's lots of choice, like xmms.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: eviLjazz on April 26, 2008, 06:14:36 pm
I'll see what I can do to improve streaming support in the next major version of Quasar.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: teh.sean on April 28, 2008, 06:46:59 am
So is it easier to thumb type or use a usb portable keyboard with these things? What are you guys using for text input?
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: CollecTek on April 28, 2008, 10:59:39 am
Quote from: teh.sean
So is it easier to thumb type or use a usb portable keyboard with these things? What are you guys using for text input?
depends on what you are doing at the time, I use a palm universal wireless keyboard through IPK when I have to do a lot of typing
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: mfbrown on April 28, 2008, 11:01:42 am
Quote from: teh.sean
So is it easier to thumb type or use a usb portable keyboard with these things? What are you guys using for text input?


As far as I'm concerned, the main point of a Zaurus is the keyboard.  Having "learnt" to thumb type on a Psion 3 (of blessed memory), the clamshell Zaurus is the only PDA I could consider.  If you're going to get a usb keyboard, I'm sure it's easier, but rather defeats the object as I see it.  But what I'd like to know (stealing the thread - sorry) is how easy is it to get the pickboard (which works fine in SharpROM) working in Cacko?  'Cos just occasionally it's helpful - e.g.in the dark!
Thanks,
Mark
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: CollecTek on April 28, 2008, 11:10:34 am
actually it is infrared  
Quote from: mfbrown
...But what I'd like to know (stealing the thread - sorry) is how easy is it to get the pickboard (which works fine in SharpROM) working in Cacko?  'Cos just occasionally it's helpful - e.g.in the dark!
Thanks,
Mark
If its the onscreen one you are talking about....I think it is enabled by default, just a short click from the keyboard icon
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: mfbrown on April 28, 2008, 11:16:16 am
Quote from: CollecTek
actually it is infrared  
Quote from: mfbrown
...But what I'd like to know (stealing the thread - sorry) is how easy is it to get the pickboard (which works fine in SharpROM) working in Cacko?  'Cos just occasionally it's helpful - e.g.in the dark!
Thanks,
Mark
If its the onscreen one you are talking about....I think it is enabled by default, just a short click from the keyboard icon
Yes, the Pickboard is there, but doesn't do anything in Cacko.  I suspect it's a question of not having a dictionary in the right format for it - but I don't know what format that is, nor where to put it.
Thanks,
Mark
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: CollecTek on April 28, 2008, 11:33:07 am
hmmm... that is weird mfbrown, My cacko's  onscreen keyboard works right  

Quote from: speculatrix
web browsing, wifi sniffing, serial console for managing cisco network kit, ssh terminal using openvpn client *, rss reader, media player (mp3, movies, internet radio streams), vnc or rdesktop client to control media player, VOIP phone (saves me money on international calls when I'm in USA calling UK).
speculatrix, how are you connecting/managing the cisco network kit? what are you using for a rss reader?

thanks
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: speculatrix on April 28, 2008, 03:54:10 pm
I'm using a USB to serial converter for talking cisco console; so long as the usb-serial adaptor isnt too power hungry, I was using minicom on cacko.

I've used random rss readers, but I must admit not for some time as I now use nokia tablet for that.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: teh.sean on April 28, 2008, 05:05:00 pm
Quote from: CollecTek
Quote from: teh.sean
So is it easier to thumb type or use a usb portable keyboard with these things? What are you guys using for text input?
depends on what you are doing at the time, I use a palm universal wireless keyboard through IPK when I have to do a lot of typing
So the IR palm keyboard works well on the Zaurus? How much fiddling does that take to work? How's the keymapping?
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: CollecTek on April 28, 2008, 05:22:06 pm
Quote from: teh.sean
So the IR palm keyboard works well on the Zaurus? How much fiddling does that take to work? How's the keymapping?
the palm wireless keyboard works great on the zaurus! I had to install the "irk-zaurus-j" which is ver. 0.11.1f. Once installed, Palm wireless was one of the choices from a drop down list--and it worked. Almost all the keymapping is the same as the layout on the ir keyboard.....there is no cancel button and a few palm fn keys are disabled/not in use.  But other than that--it works great. I still have to play around with some of the features, I can assign hotkeys/buttons for the keyboard
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: dlj0 on April 29, 2008, 07:19:44 am
Quote from: teh.sean
So I pose the question to you guys, 'What do you do primarily with your Zaurus?'

Well, for this semester I'm on sabbatical, living in Spain (Valencia).  My 3100 is my only computer.  The Univ. here did have another machine available, but it is probably the least reliable Mac on the planet, so I don't bother with it.  I use the Z at the office for browsing, e-mail, connecting to my machine back home for serious computational things, and writinf papers (with LyX and LaTeX).  I then take it home and use it for basically the same things there.

After 3 months of it I'm fairly adept at typing on it, but I am also somewhat tired of the small screen.  I do admit I long for a "real" computer, but for trips this is still the best.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: laan on August 14, 2008, 04:26:21 pm
Wifi (hotspot/"borrowed") X client // GPRS/UMTS nx client from a server based at home so mainly i use zaurus for ALL when i'm outta home.
Title: What Do You Guys Do With A Zaurus?
Post by: craigtyson on August 15, 2008, 05:52:42 am
In Order of Frequency:-

Read EBooks

Play Doom / Heretic

Read Tube maps

Take Notes and Minutes at meetings

Brows Web

Send Email

Watch Movies

backup drive for Photos on camera

Chinese transaltion / dictionary

C