OESF Portables Forum

General Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: donquixote on December 17, 2004, 12:50:38 pm

Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: donquixote on December 17, 2004, 12:50:38 pm
Currently, my C760 has Cacko on it but I'm having difficulty streaming some mp3s and trying to build programs for it so I'm thinking of switching to a different ROM.

I can't find anything in the FAQ about the different types of ROMs. I've been to the corresponding ROM sites (OpenZaurus, pdaxrom etc.) but I cannot find any comparison matrix. It would be great if someone could explain to me the differences and pros/cons of each ROM much like what distrowatch.com (http://distrowatch.com/) offers.  

Maybe this is asking for too much? I did search the forums and I found a little information, but not enough to make up my mind on which ROM I want. Anyway I hope someone can help me (and others) out. I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks!

dq
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: ran on December 17, 2004, 03:48:10 pm
An excellent idea,  dq.  I suggest starting with a discussion of what rows and columns ought to be in the comparison matrix.  When that's done,  people most familiar with each ROM can come up with the standardized descriptions for them.

Some of the items I think would be useful would be (in no particular order):

Which models are supported.

How RAM is split into execution/file storage.

Which GUI/desktop environment is included.

Whether it runs GUI apps compiled for the stock Sharp ROM.

Whether you can add/remove apps and files from flash after installation.

How much flash the ROM requires.

Homepage URL.

Whether it supports/requires putting /home (or other subdirectories) on SD/CF.

Whether it has the wireless extensions compiled into its kernel.

I'm sure other people (including me,  if I spent more time on it    ) can come up with other ideas,  but these should get the ball rolling.

Ran
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: nilch on December 17, 2004, 04:01:01 pm
Didnt we have something like this at some time way past ?

There was a comparison matrix on various ROM (Crow included at that time), but where is that ?
Has anyone archived that comparison cheat-sheet ?
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: ev1l on December 17, 2004, 11:26:36 pm
I can compile a list if you guys want.
Just let me know what you'd like to be included.
Code: [Select]
Which models are supported.
How RAM is split into execution/file storage.
Which GUI/desktop environment is included.
Whether it runs GUI apps compiled for the stock Sharp ROM.
Whether you can add/remove apps and files from flash after installation.
How much flash the ROM requires.
Homepage URL.
Whether it supports/requires putting /home (or other subdirectories) on SD/CF.
Whether it has the wireless extensions compiled into its kernel.If you want anything else, drop a reply here. I'll go hunting once we get all the requests. I'll probably add a commentary to each ROM to complete the article.
Right now the list would be:
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: dhns on December 18, 2004, 07:32:48 am
Good idea. And looks like we all should revitalize the Zaurus Wiki http://www.zaurususergroup.com/phpWiki.phtml (http://www.zaurususergroup.com/phpWiki.phtml) ...

-- hns
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: donquixote on December 18, 2004, 11:26:16 am
I'd like to see some sort of description for each one explaining what kind of users the ROM is intended for (i.e. Developer, Linux Geek, Newbie (Windows user), Newbie (Linux User), Gamer).

And maybe some kind of loose cross-comparison such as...

... Mandrake users would like ROMxyz
... Gentoo users would like ROMyzx
... Slackware users would like ROMzxy
... Windows users would like ROMzyx

and so on.

Thanks very much!

dq
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: radioz on December 19, 2004, 09:42:33 pm
Don't forget to specify the version numbers of each rom mentioned and add a list of limitations/features/problems for each one.  I've tried a number of different roms on my 5600 and found that each one had limitations in some area or another. USB doesn't work on <xx>, package manager is broken in <yy>, media player doesn't work in <zz>.... you get the idea.

I know it would have been helpful to me if I could have looked at the tradeoffs between them before I started. It might have saved some time (or not!)

btw: I'm currently most happy with the Watapon 1.5.6 so far (even though usb does not work).

radioz
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: donquixote on December 29, 2004, 12:16:14 am
What's happening with this? I still haven't chosen a ROM, but I'm hoping to change mine before the holidays end. Thanks.

dq
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: clofland on December 29, 2004, 08:59:51 am
Don't forget applications. That is one of the most important part of any operating system, is what apps you can run on it.

I know we can't include them all, but some important things like PDF readers (PDAxROM users don't have a good PDF reader yet), Email readers, etc.

Maybe just columns like: Address book, PDF Reader, Browser, Email, Sock Drawer Organizer, etc and then put what program(s) each ROM provides (or can run) to perform those functions?
Title: Rom Treatise
Post by: Tom61 on December 29, 2004, 05:26:52 pm
Quote
Good idea. And looks like we all should revitalize the Zaurus Wiki http://www.zaurususergroup.com/phpWiki.phtml (http://www.zaurususergroup.com/phpWiki.phtml) ...

-- hns
How do you edit it? I was going to try to setup a page on the "5 x 00_ROMs" page dealing with the ROMs I've tried, but when I clicked 'Edit' I get this: "You are not authorised to do that". I can't find a login or register page.