OESF Portables Forum
General Forums => Off Topic forum => Topic started by: nilch on December 19, 2003, 10:35:04 am
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Theres this article at Linuxdevices about the authors impression of a perfect Linux PDA.
http://linuxdevices.com/articles/AT2849522069.html (http://linuxdevices.com/articles/AT2849522069.html)
I disagree on the very first para about the minimum memory requirements - 8 MB to 16MB.
I think a system trying to fit itself into a base memory of 8MB isnt going to try to do much at all.
But of course being spoiled by the Zaurus line, I am thinking more of a handheld rather than a PDA here, so....
Whats the general opinion here ???
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Well Ben Meyer did develop software for the Zaurus, and was also a member of Sharp\'s Zaurus developer support department. He\'s definitly aware of the things the Zaurus did right and wrong
Targetting 8MB of flash and 16MB of ram as a minimum isnt that bad of an idea. If that 8MB contains the base bootable OS, the graphical environment, basic pim apps, and enough of the settings tools to calibrate, set date and time, configure syncing, and whatever else needs to be there, then you will have 8-24MB of flash left for extras. If the device was targetted at students you might want to include a handrwriting recognition package, a more comprehensive notes application, an office suite, and some games. Something targetted at corporate users might dunp the notes application and replace it with a VPN client, an email client. On the memory side you\'d partition 64MB of ram into storage space and app space ( preferably either adjustable on the fly).
If you see a pattern there, you\'d realize that\'s what the Zaurus does. If you check trolltechs marketting materials, you\'d see they quote 8MB of flash and 16MB of ram as the minimum for a Qtopia device, Though I\'m not sure what all would be included in that 8MB build.
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Ok, I see where this is going. To me, when we speak of perfect PDA, I see dreams of things like:
1) days of run time on battery (with wireless on)
2) lots of memory
3) nice bright screen that works well in bright light and dimly lit rooms.
4) lots of 3rd party support for applications.
So, to read an article like this and hear of perfect, in terms of being practical today, it kind of puts me off a bit at first.
But, I can see where he is coming from, and hadn\'t looked to see who wrote this. Given the authors place in the linux handheld community, I have respect for his point of view.
Now, I\'m assuming that 8-16 is the min spec for the base system, to me that is like winxp stating \"can run in 64M of ram\". Sure, it works in the technical sense, but nobody, given a choice, would do it.
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The article really doesn\'t have much to do with the device itself, it\'s mostly about the software platform on it. We need to be realistic though, you just aren\'t going to get days of runtime with wireless on anytime in the near future. It just isn\'t something current inexpensive battery technology can due, or everyone would be doing it already. Hardware will always move along at its own pace, the real challange is in designing software that runs well on low end software so that it can be added to in the future while still being almost nonexistant as far as resource usage goes. Remember, this is also intertwined with battery life. As the app uses less cpu time and other resources, it will be lessening the amount of power the cpu is drawing. Of course the LCD and other peripherals will probably overshadow by far, but at least we can have faster sofware.
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It just seems like so many of the limitations are hardware based. The features we do or don\'t cram in are based upon resources.
Memory, Battery Life, Size, Screen Real Estate.
I find the battery life to be more limiting than the software, and ram can be a bit tight at times, but not as much as the battery.
I have too many portable gadgets, and they all seem to need a power adaptor along with them to feel secure in their running.
For point of reference, I realize batteries are better, but power consumption by the hardware has grown faster than batteries have. I don\'t blame or fault any manafucturer for the state of battery life. It\'s our drive for more power.
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the authors impression of a perfect Linux PDA.
When he wrote these, he missed something (as so many do)...
Area code lookup
Zip code lookup ie, Awareness of the rest of the world. Which I guess in this case means:
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Let me resurrect an old thread.
As I sit here imagining how the next Zaurus clamshell will be configured, I was wondering what would constitute the \"Perfect\" handheld for many of you?
My perfect handheld:
Form Factor: SL-CXXX
Display: 4\" CG Silicon Transflective or 4\" OLED
Internal storage: 128 mb flash, 128 mb ram and internal 4GB microdrive
Ext. expansion: CF and SD
Processor: new Intel x-scale processor, up to 540 mHz (rumored)
Wireless: Built-in 802-11g and Bluetooth
Battery: capable of 8 hours continuous wi-fi use (possibly fuel cell)
Other hardware options: USB host, speaker, built-in microphone, button activated screen rotation
Software: New PIMs comparable with Palm devices, rock solid sync on all platforms
I don\'t think this is asking too much, seeing as much of this is currently available and employed technology.
Your turn
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I have nothing to add to this one ;-)
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all of that adds up to extra power requirements, I think they need to sort out either a better power source (maybe that alcohol based technology) or have really power frugal components
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How much would the above PDA run? I believe it\'d be worth a 2nd mortgage for one with those features!
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My proposed feature set is close to the SL-6000W, so I think you could do it for close to that price. I believe the SL-6000W could come down a bit in price from where it it now. So it wouldn\'t take a second mortgage, just a small collateralized loan will do.
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My perfect PDA would be the Sony Clie UX-50 with the Zaurus SL-CXXX screen, 256MB RAM, 128MB FLASH, CF & SD instead of memory stick... and a few extra keys (esp \"|\") on the Clie keyboard... oh, and a Linux-based OS that recognizes all the built-in hardware with having to edit config scripts and has a good interface for setting up WiFi and BT connection (PalmOS is already pretty good at that).
OR
Clamshell PDA designed by Apple running OS X-lite/Aqua with generous amounts of memory, keyboard like the Clie\'s (wavy surface, backlite keys), CF & SD slots, decent built-in Palm emulator, and built-in WiFi and Bluetooth... and under $600US. Come to think of it, this is what I\'d rather have, instead of a Zaurus-like PDA.
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under $600 for an Apple product with this hardware? dream on ccrandal. Have you checked out the IPod prices lately ;-)
Actually I\'m not a fan of OSX, but on a PDA it could make sense in a way...
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Actually, the prices of Apple products are not that out of line. For instance, a lot of people have been giving Apple crap about the price of their mini-iPod, but realistically you cannot charge much less since the components are so expensive. And, compared to (I think) the Rio or maybe one of the iRiver 1.5GB players ($200), the price of the mini-iPod is very competitive.
Apple laptops are also reasonably priced... they may not be as fast as their Wintel counterparts, but the OS is superior and the hardware is of very high quality. I just bought my girlfriend an iBook G4 for $1000. She\'s never used anything but M$ Winblows and within a couple weeks of getting used to OS X, she\'s hooked. I even catch her downloading the eZine verison of Macworld and reading it cover to cover. I\'d say that $1000 was well spent and, in fact, a bit of a bargain (especially when you factor in the nice apps they bundle).
So, a clamshell Apple handheld for under $600... ok, maybe a bit far-fetched, I believe they\'ll price it competitively to the Sony Clie UX and other handhelds that are similar.
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My C860 IS my perfect Linux PDA, or palmtop. ;-)
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It\'s just the Zaurus OS that need to be completely replaced. :evil:
At present, there\'s no complete embedded Linux OS for PDA that is good enough for mass market. No good PIM, no powerfull and free World Editor, Spreadseet or Presentation Maker, no got Jotter nor Drawer, no good Recorder, no Route/Street Planner that could compare with other plateform, no free Dictionnary no Program Editor (kate port is perhaps good enough).
Don\'t even try to tell me that you only need to use ssh or any other tools that is not for newbee or for Windows everyday user. What are all those fxxking bxxtar whose only think about PDA like a command line tools and think about users as if they were Power User with no standard need and a keyboard transplanted on hands.
This market as any other one that havent thought enough will be closed. Sharp and other are already closing their web site. Are you sure that your way of thinking is still the best? You have been evaluate, you have been judge, you have been marked as uninteresting by the mass market.
The only apps that apparently are good enough are Opera, NetFront, E-mail and Multimedia Players.
Buying a Zaurus, I have bought a portable Internet/MP3/Movie player box but not a PDA. Since the beginning, I\'m fxxking waiting for something that could change this state. At present, I only think about OE, Cacko and X11 rom. The last one is more open for application portability, open and closed source developpement, restructuration, Linux PDA furture... even if it is not ready today.
Note: The base system, witch deal with CF, memory, framebuffer, thread and command line tools is good. It\'s the surrounding layer that is completely crap, messy, and without good application porting ability (I mean, simply get a source code, compile it to have a arm package then install it for testing before trying to see what could be modify for a better PDA usage).
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\"No good PIM, no powerfull and free World Editor, Spreadseet or Presentation Maker, no got Jotter nor Drawer, no good Recorder, no Route/Street Planner that could compare with other plateform, no free Dictionnary no Program Editor (kate port is perhaps good enough).\"
Whats good enough is generally dependant on the person using it...
I\'m pretty happy with what comes with the sharp rom, does what i need without too much hooha
And compared to other platforms, the \"good\" proggies are generally not free...
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Chill amrein! I find zBedic is a perfectly good free dictionary, as is eDict. tkcEditor is also an ok syntax highlighting editor. Have you tried the latest version of KO/Pi for a Calendar/Todo app? I like Drawpad too for a jotter and there are a few others now, but of course every has different needs. (Out of these apps, only zBedic needs files installing manually, but that can be done with a filemanager)
I agree that Hancom Office definitely needs a lot of work (better file format support - complete round tripping would be best, spellchecking etc) and there is a general lack of commercial support. Besides all the things like lack of advertising and support from Sharp I think the lack of an open and extensible sync framework also hurt sales and still does as it is an even bigger mess than it was. Don\'t see how this can be fixed though. Syncing needed to be done decently from the start.
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Yearh, the more I grow old, the more I irritate easily (like my Swiss-deutch grand father ;(
One and only one operating system should emerge on PDA in order to allow some kind of standardization / interoperability / centralised effort. It\'s the community that should make this choice. Everyone wanting a powerfull OS should support the one they love to make it win the market. Make your choice, and make it quickly so things could move forward.
So my reply to the perfect Linux PDA question is:
- We already has the hardware (even if some part could be added like bluetooth or wifi). It\'s the operating system + user interface + end user applications that is worthly of attention. If a good OS emerge, all manufacturers will want to build new improved hardware for it (and then, hardware discussion could go on).
I\'m not saying that we shoudn\'t talk about hardware features but that even if it was a PXA 2 GHz 256 Mo rram and 128Mo of flash, they will have the not user friendly label on their back.
See Zaurus 5000, 5500, 5600, 700, 750, 760, 860 specifications and hardware improvements and understand what I mean.
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It\'s just the Zaurus OS that need to be completely replaced. :evil:
At present, there\'s no complete embedded Linux OS for PDA that is good enough for mass market. No good PIM, no powerfull and free World Editor, Spreadseet or Presentation Maker, no got Jotter nor Drawer, no good Recorder, no Route/Street Planner that could compare with other plateform, no free Dictionnary no Program Editor (kate port is perhaps good enough).
Don\'t even try to tell me that you only need to use ssh or any other tools that is not for newbee or for Windows everyday user. What are all those fxxking bxxtar whose only think about PDA like a command line tools and think about users as if they were Power User with no standard need and a keyboard transplanted on hands.
This market as any other one that havent thought enough will be closed. Sharp and other are already closing their web site. Are you sure that your way of thinking is still the best? You have been evaluate, you have been judge, you have been marked as uninteresting by the mass market.
The only apps that apparently are good enough are Opera, NetFront, E-mail and Multimedia Players.
Buying a Zaurus, I have bought a portable Internet/MP3/Movie player box but not a PDA. Since the beginning, I\'m fxxking waiting for something that could change this state. At present, I only think about OE, Cacko and X11 rom. The last one is more open for application portability, open and closed source developpement, restructuration, Linux PDA furture... even if it is not ready today.
Note: The base system, witch deal with CF, memory, framebuffer, thread and command line tools is good. It\'s the surrounding layer that is completely crap, messy, and without good application porting ability (I mean, simply get a source code, compile it to have a arm package then install it for testing before trying to see what could be modify for a better PDA usage).
I could not disagree more, it sounds to me that your ideal Linux OS would be just like PocketPC, I think you should calm down and reconsider what you want, maybe a Palm, or a Casio 32K databank. Or why not buy a NetBook and try and port your own Linux to it. Or give up completely and watch TV.
It\'s also arrogant to assume everyone want the same software or hardware, Zaurus gives us choices, X or Qtopia, bluetooth or wifi (or none by my preference).
The Z is spot on for me, I love it and would not change a thing, you really dont sound happy about your choice, why not look at the Yopy.
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.... and without good application porting ability (I mean, simply get a source code, compile it to have a arm package then install it for testing before trying to see what could be modify for a better PDA usage).
This is exactly what I do. The only troubles I generally have are with people not writing portable code (inc the configure script and Makefiles), but more often than not it works with only minor tweaks. There\'s no way around this other than to use an x86 chip or to have people write their code better.
I also love my Zs, they do what I want, if they don\'t then I can try to do something about it myself - keeps me occupied if nothing else. Actualy I especially like the fact that I can do something about it if I\'m not satisifed rather than having to email someone and prey thet they might, possibly reply and even more unlikely fix whatever problem I\'ve found (or feature I may want).
I do, however, agree that there is a fair bit of fragmentation in terms of the ROMs which are available, but there will always be people who want to use the old Sharp ROMs (and old is the operative word) for whatever reason (stability and easy of use is often quoted, but I think OZ is as good if not better - and it\'s newer and faster, etc.) so there\'s bound to be some fragmentation as people (OZ for example) try to push forward to better things (stagnation is one thing which will kill the Z methinks and I\'ll be very happy to avoid it).
Yes there\'s a lack of certain types of app, but this is a low volume market, and in any case Linux software is often free. If you don\'t like it, fix it yourself, or pay someone to do it for you.
The lack of polish in some apps (and even ROMs) is an issue about which I fully agree with you (and it\'s also a problem for desktop Linux vs Windows for example), however it\'s a little difficult as once you\'re au fait enough to actually do anything about these issues, they don\'t really matter to you any more. I don\'t know how to fix this particular issue, other than to pay people to do the programming (if you do it for free, then you generally only fix the things which are a pain for you).
Just a few of my thoughts,
Best regards to you all,
Simon
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I for one love my C860.
I can see though why applications are so important. My company uses PalmOS right now which is OK. I own two or three of these PalmOS devices. I use the TungstenT2 for all of my pim stuff because its easy and standard(sort of). I use the C860 for everything else from compiling to Samba shares to controlling the web server(redhat/fedora).
I have two 5500s and don\'t plan to ever get rid of them if that says about my loyalty. I think the Sharps are great. Open source is a good way to go.
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If we build it, they will come!
The greatest strength of using Linux on a handheld (open, free, user modifiable, linux community) is currently proving to be our greatest weakness (fragmentation, lack of standardization, etc). I agree with amrein that if we had one or two \'roms\' that provided a complete user experience and did not require a person to be an experienced Linux user we would see more hardware/software developers developing for that environment.
In our current state, we are not a good market risk and Linux handhelds will continue to serve a niche market until this changes. I am not advocating that all the innovative development taking place in the various camps should cease, but it would be nice to see at least one (OZ, pdaXrom, or other) stick its head above the crowd to become a legitimate contender in the handheld market. If this were to happen, I think it would actually open the door for greater innovation than is currently taking place.
my $.02
nathan
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P.S.
Looks like Lycoris is planning on their OS \'version\' being the one that will compete with the palm os and pocket pc.
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS7056225751.html (http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS7056225751.html)
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pocket pc? redmond linux project? itsn\'t this like pulling a mooney at m$
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Even though Pocket PC Linux sounds so out of place, but names notwithstanding, I think Lycoris has the infrastructure and money power to at least be more fo a solid ground than invividual ROM designers.
I agree that most of Lycoris OS is based on OZ and other already existing ROM\'s but if they can add the spit and polish and ease of use and market it effectively, that would be a great boon for handheld Linux.
Much like what Lindows did for linux - it was named like Windows, was aimed at Windows users, looked and felt like Windows, but the marketing strength of a big company (apart from Rehdat etc) was a gooid thing for end-user linux (not that I like Lindows myself - too much of a windows like experience).
And really people in the end dont care if its Linux of Pocket PC or anything else as long as it DELIVERS.
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isnt lindows or lindash as its now known in some places getting its bottom kicked all over the globe by m$ over naming atm?
but in terms of marketing strength i would rather look towards novell, redhat with dell and hp, as both of the h/w manufactures make pdas
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Unless the hardware manufacturer (Sharp) sells enough units there won\'t be much commercial development.
Unless the user likes the unit\'s default software they won\'t buy it -] see above. Unless they are a hacker, and then they\'ll probably quite like the current situation, the choice, etc. ;-).
Si
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Thats a very good point...
Althrough there are other contenders out there, theres the payon, some royal thing and the much hyped simputer... The problem with the payon is that it is specifically aimed at industry
One thing could benifit the linux pda situation is if, hardware and os split like palm one and palm source. U could choose to buy an ipaq or zaurus etc with windows, or without (at a cheaper price) then with that saving buy an os of your choice. I\'cant see why large manufactures like hp and dell wouldnt grab the chance to not pay m$ a royalty fee and put backing into a open os. Imagine what oz would be like if they had huge financial backing. I wouldnt mind paying for a stable commecial version of oz thats guaranteed to work on a device, of course it would be nice if the edge stuff was freely avaliable liek most linux distros (i stuck with the sharp rom coz in my mind i paid for it... ;p )
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I completely agree with you! And the reaction of padishah_emperor about what I have written is also completely part of what I was denoncing.
padishah_emperor, you want to know what I have bought so far? Here is the list:
HP48LX&GX, TI89, Psion Series 3, Psion Series 3a, Psion Series 3c, Psion Series 3mx, Psion Series 5, Psion Series 5mx Pro, Psion Revo, Psion netBook 64Mo RAM, HP iPaq 3870, Cassiopeia E-200, Sharp Zaurus 760.
Hey!!! I was forgetting my HP 200 LX and the two Atari Portfolio PDA.
And I still think that I\'m a normal PDA user with normal needs. . :roll: Perhaps with a little more PDA experience (and a lot of knowledge about Psion device as I worked for them too).
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Yes, and?
I\'ve had probably more PDAs, it means nothing beyond the fact that none of them measured upto MY needs, I don\'t understand your point. So I reiterate my view, my C860 is MY perfect handheld. You do not seem happy judging by your posting, if you don\'t like the Sharp hardware or software - don\'t use it, buy something else.
As long as Sharp make these Linux based PDAs, they will NEVER make them more available to \'mass market\', it will always be a niche thing, just as they will NEVER put windows on it (eek!). If you don\'t get that, I don\'t think you ever will (and I do not mean that in the pejorative sense). There are plenty of machines to choose from, with different pluses and minuses, Sharp have (to my knowledge) never targeted these Zaurii at the PDA/organiser market, they were developed for Linux enthusiasts as \'Personal Mobile Tools\' and a pain to get a hold of, mine was imported from Japan, I think that is the point, if you want a \'good PDA\' or something for the mass market, go for a Palm or PocketPC. If you want a UNIX workstation with PIM functionality with a convenient form factor, then go for a Zaurus, the command line comes with the territory and is a powerful and superior way of getting things done fast.
If there ever was a ROM which was locked down that did this and that like PocketPC, then it would be as bad as PocketPC, why buy a Linux machine and then want it to be a Windows-like experience?, just by a PocketPC in the first place.
Sharp have got it right, if you disagree, don\'t use it, to buy a Zaurus, you have to go out on a limb to get one (esp. here in the UK), they\'ve got it right in the software with a commercial Qtopia environment, the open source community has it right by producing varied ROMs with different features, variety is the spice of life, choice. And you have the choice whether to go that route, or go for PocketPC/Palm if you like that sort of thing. Sharp will make the odd machine available outside Japan, but will never compete with the others, nor should it, and I support that decision.
I think our wires are getting crossed, so I am not going to post further on this thread, or it could decend into a shouting match and I have no time or patience for that. I hope you merely understand my belief as I do yours.
:-)
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from what ive read the zaurus does very well in the japanese market, and hopefully it will do well in the chinese market too and show sharp that the non-japanese consumer does want a linux pda!
its a shame it never did that well in the usa and the uk, but to be honest i think they should have gone for a big push on the clam shell model as they went head to head with the 5X00 series against pocket pc and palm which is well established in the western markets. the sony ux will show if clam shell pdas go down well or not...
Also it seems to me that the uk and usa consumer are soooo slow to take up on new concepts or technologies, hopefully thats also changed with our must have gadget generation. but it does seem that us uk gadgeteers get battered with the big stick of expense when we want to buy something new, anything electronic its seems to just as cheapp to fly to another country and buy it and u get a holiday too...
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Well it limits greed if nothing else, eh?
Sharp keeps it\'s head down in this part of the world, no need to anger the Microsoft beast. With the Z being a major product in Japan, they make enough money to keep the project going, but I had a Zaurus MANY years ago. No linux and more like a databank, I don\'t think the policy of making it globally available will ever change. I like being on the fringe, that\'s where the Z is at.
Wouldn\'t change it for the world.
Anyway when people (with PocketPC and Palm) say \"that\'s so neat, where can I get one?\" I love saying \"You can\'t, it\'s exclusive and for advanced users\". ;-)
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:cry:
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As long as Sharp make these Linux based PDAs, they will NEVER make them more available to \'mass market\', it will always be a niche thing
@padishah_emperor:
Actually I disagree with you. I don\'t think Sharp got it right. I think that had they produced a more polished system (and it\'s certainly possible) then more people would have bought the device, etc.... I would still have bought one, knowing that I could program it myself, but by having poor software initially they have limited their market which isn\'t a good plan imho.
I love my Zaurii, but it would be nice if they were a little more polished - it doesn\'t annoy me that much (not enough for me to actively do something about it), but I do think about it from time to time. However as I\'m not paid to make polished apps for the Z, I\'m quite happy to just get along with the functionality (as long as the lack of polish doesn\'t annoy me too much).
Si
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I think there were a few one time posters who said that they were returning their Zauruii - cause it didnt function as well as they expected (as easy as Palm\'s) and because it was too damn hard to tweak what with conf files and all that thingie going on with the zaurus.
So apart from some hardcore users like us all, many newbies actually returned their Zaurus-es. That shows that had Sharp bettered their software, many more people (at least those who did buy) would have kept their zaurus\'s.
But I am optimistic as long as Sharp doesn\'t pull away totally from this market. Like the initial Palm\'s, the first breed of software always has rough edges. And subsequent version of Sharp ROM has bettered their apps (not the basic ROM, but Apps) in small little ways. I guess it will take certain iteration before the software matures to a newbie-usable level. Plus with companies like Lycoris and IBM behind the Qtopia movement - I only think it can get better, not worse. So lets hang on to this sweet device whicle the softare gets sweeter - thanks also to the developers and ROM designers - like Cacko, tkc etc.
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Yes lardman, nilch, I acknowledge both of your points, but, Sharp do not make these as PDAs do they? It may be a little rough around the edges, but you can say the same about Slackware, Fedora, SuSE, BSD, Debian, Solaris etc...
If I was a Linux v1rgin, I don\'t think the Z would be suitable, if I wanted a PDA designed for PIM/Sync, I would not buy a Z.
I quote from the ShirtPocket website (all copyrights acknowledged and disregarded):
\"Firstly, we would simply like to point out, that we would not recommend this device for the Novice User or Someone that simply wants a simple PIM (Personal Information Manager) device. This is a powerful tool, hence it is advisable to have at least some experience with such devices.\"
and
\"Sharp don\'t actually call the C750/860 a PDA, but instead call it a Personal Mobile Tool.\"
I believe the same was true of the 5500, I had one and never expected it to be a good PDA, it was an excellent pocket computer, in the true sense. The 5000 was almost exclusively a developer\'s tool.
But I agree with you both, the software will evolve if we support Sharp and encourage them to continue, also it is in our interests that it stays a major force in Japan.
Unless Microsoft are legally restricted, or they choose to pull-out from the PDA sector, Linux machines will not get a foothold, I do not believe we could see that kind of shift for many years.
Time will tell.
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This all seem\'s a little Vain to me, i am a new Zaurus owner and i think it\'s the best portable computer ever. I tend to think of the \"Z\" as a powerfull linux box. Not a pda! I have been involved with computers since the get-go, The \"Z\" is a reminder of when computing was for people who wanted to get there hands dirty. For me it\'s perfect in every way, but thats me! you all seem to be dissapointed,? why not cherish what you have ,i do everyday..
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... you all seem to be dissapointed,? why not cherish what you have ,i do everyday..
Here\'s the reason for disapointment.
I have the capability to make the Zaurus do most of what I want. However, there are some things that are out of my abilities. For example, hardware. It would be nice to see, for example, Logitech\'s KeyCase available for the Zaurus. However, they are not going to release one because the market isn\'t there for them. Same thing with some software apps. I can\'t go out and do a bunch of survays to put together a good street mapping application. I\'d rather use Street Atlas USA (they have a handheld component available). But they won\'t release a Zaurus port, unless there is a large enough market.
So, by Sharp screwing up on making the thing easy/powerful enough for Joe Average, it keeps them from selling enough units to encourage Jim Manufacturer to produce products that I want to buy.
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That\'s nit picking ;-)
You cant please everyone all of the time, but I\'ve just had a look at the Keycase, it\'s a good idea. But there is a flexible keyboard: http://www.man-machine.com/FX100.htm (http://www.man-machine.com/FX100.htm) for 5500, as well as the pockettop one.
I don\'t know about a solution to your mapping requirement.
[span style=\'font-size:16pt;line-height:100%\']mentat_bashar: (Dune is soo cool) You ask too much for some people. But you *know* I am humbled to have my C860, the Z reminds me of the days of Spectrums, Dragons and Commodore 64\'s - get ya hands dirty computing[/span]