Messages

1

General Discussion / Thanks to anyone brave enough to answer this.

« on: July 25, 2004, 01:54:36 am »

Fraggy.

To come back on the subject of experimenting with Linux on a PC first, without the need to mess around with multiple partitions and stuff like that, VPC and VMWare are indeed 2 nice "emulators" which allow you to experiment without "breaking" anything. I would definately advise VMWare or VPC, but I recently found another solution that I really liked: the DemoLinuxCD: http://www.demolinux.org

Thanks. That is a lot of info, so I'll take some time to chew on it. (even more challenging is what padishah_emperor says - way above my head I'm afraid.)

, but the very big advantage of VNC is that you don't need any extra software for the CLIENT: you just need a java enabled web browser, then enter the adress http://remotecomputer_ip_adress:5800 and voila! You have remote control over the machine in your netscape / IE / Whatever java browser you wish

You've really got me psyched about this one. I would like to hear/learn more. Do you have any recommendations for sites/more details, or would you mind posting anything here?

I definitely like the idea of utilizing the built in Windows RDC (since all my home PCs use that extensively). On the other hand, the notion of not having to load anything extra onto the client (as you said) is even more appealing.

From wish-list to possibility  . wow!

p.s. I had originally played down the idea of accessing a PC from a Z. This forum seemed to have some really die hard Linux people and I didn't want to get on their nerves asking to use my Z just to get to a Win screen - hehe. I guess there's more ac-dc's here than I thought. Actually, I'm starting to get the Linux bug already, and I havn't even gotten my Z yet! See ya.

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General Discussion / Thanks to anyone brave enough to answer this.

« on: July 24, 2004, 10:48:15 pm »

Bob

Many kernels of wisdom in all that you say. (pun just appeared, honest)

THANKS Uncle Bob!!

Remember all the neat things we could do on the original TRS-80 - with 4K of memory!

3

General Discussion / Newbie question about v3 update

« on: July 24, 2004, 10:17:09 pm »

Thanks Bob, much obliged. I went to the Z-Wiki page and had difficulty finding reference to backing up the system (any system). I think they have changed/deleted some things - whatever.

For any neo-newbies such as myself who may be reading this; After much snooping around I realized that there is a very detailed set of instructions on ROM updating, right at the Sharp Zaurus website. Contained in those instructions are indeed links and how-tos explaining how to go back to a "default" ROM. See below.

(Note to first time Zau-runts  , like me! --> ROM in 'Zaurus speak' actually refers to any code-files that are put into the Zaurus's ROM - ROM, pronounced like mom, is an electronic critter otherwise known as a non-volitile memory chip. I wish they had not chosen to call the code-files ROM and had instead called them 'Programs' and 'Operating Systems'. Referring to them by where they are stored physically, instead of what is being stored, confused the @#*# out of me for a while. Serves me right for being a hardware geek.)

OK, here are the links. The pages are very detailed as I said, and for the most part are written without grammatical errors. Read all the fine print.

First page: Latest Software-I mean ROM (grrr..) http://www.myzaurus.com/ROMupdate5.asp

Second page (is also linked from the first page): Earlier 'default' ROM and how to revert back to it http://www.myzaurus.com/ROMupdate3.asp

Zau-runts, hang together!! or hang separately... John Adams?

4

General Discussion / Thanks to anyone brave enough to answer this.

« on: July 24, 2004, 02:59:35 pm »

I went with SL-5500 because of 1) Price, and 2) Built-in keyboard. I thought (note past tense) that Linux had more in common as to file/disk management syntax with Microsoft, and that I'd see little difference in the command line "front end". Not  

Many thanks to Laze (very pithy stuff), lardman (I'll try the RDC and leave a post as to outcome), and Scott.

I can now set forth boldly... says he  

Damm the torpedos, Linux, here I come.   Splattt.

5

General Discussion / Newbie question about v3 update

« on: July 24, 2004, 04:34:21 am »

Hi, rank beginner here.

Reading the v3 Zaurus OS description page at www.myzaurus.com it appears that Sharp is bringing the 5500 software up to what the 5600 has (which looks impressive) - but they warn:
<<The SL-5500 v3 Upgrade may not be compatible with existing SL-5500 software or peripheral devices that function on the SL-5500. Sharp is working with application developers to update their programs so that they will operate properly on the SL-5500 v3 Update as well as the SL-5600. However, there is no guarantee that these applications will be updated.>>
Does anyone have a comment on that? Am I better off with the original that's going to come preloaded on my new unit?

SL-5500 (still enroute but expect Monday!)

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General Discussion / Thanks to anyone brave enough to answer this.

« on: July 24, 2004, 04:29:17 am »

It's me, newbie again.
------------------------------------
Adding a note of thanks here to Laze for your really helpful reply. The compendium of terms and explanations is beautiful. I'm sure I'm not the only one who will make great use of it. Running head-on into Linux from Windows is jarring. Some things are familiar though, like kernel. The thing that is most confusing is "ROM" in the Zaurus sense, and "ROM" in the PC sense. PC ROM is what holds the BIOS and structures it (handles all motherboard parameters). On the PC, ROM is not really related to the OS, e.g. you can put many types of Operating Systems on a PC and the ROM doesn't change. I see now that on the Zaurus the OS is part of the ROM, like on the first PC - the Radio Shack TRS-80, and also the Commodore PET (right?  ). The question below was written before Laze's reply but I'll leave it in.
------------------------------------

Thanks Guest, for your link.

Question:
The new **SL-5500 v3 Zaurus OS and Synchronization Upgrade** (AKA v3 upgrade) at www.myzaurus.com seems to be an All-In-One package that has many enhancements to the standard SL5500 software plus the latest ROM. If that is correct, do I need to deal with any of the FlashROM update sequence as spelled out at >  http://www.zaurususergroup.com/modules.php...ing%20The%20ROM

Thanks for your guidance.

7

General Discussion / Does the SL-5500 already wear protective foil?

« on: July 24, 2004, 12:54:20 am »

Not sure if the original question was ever answered. Does a new SL-5500 come with a screen protector? My 5500 has yet to arrive, so would like to know (65 miles to the nearest shopping area!   Should mail-order now if I'm gonna need one.)

Thanks.

8

General Discussion / Thanks to anyone brave enough to answer this.

« on: July 23, 2004, 11:48:54 pm »

Hi to Miami_Bob, and others (freizugheit) and those who have read orig. post but haven't had time to respond yet. (Just found Fraggy's post. Very insightful, thanks!).

M_B, your reply was very thoughtful and helped immensly to calm my fears. Advice from a seasoned 'Uncle' you might say.

As you probably guessed, I left out detailed question specifics in order to give an idea of how confused I was/am. OK, here goes.

The final package that I am hoping for is:
SL-5500
SMC SM2642W Wireless CF
Socket EA2912-325 10/100BaseT/TX CF
Socket MO7000-324 56K Modem CF
Lexar 256MB 12X CF
Kingston 256MB SD
GPS - CF or Serial
Targus PDA IR Universal Keyboard

To perform:
* Wired and wireless browsing of websites (via existing home-based WLAN).
* Keep a searchable db of an existing PIM db ported to the Zaurus via CSV format. (no real need to sync as my PIM db is too valuable to risk corruption).
* GPS map display.
* Some video playback would be nice.
* Manage files (a MS Windows Explorer work-alike).
* Edit/manipulate text (a MS Write/Wordpad work-alike - full blown Word not important).
* Bring over ubiquitous file types like .jpg, .wav, .mpg, .mid, .htm, .ram, .pdf, etc., so as to view/hear them.
* Remote Desktop Connection to my WinXP PC. (gasp! Oh if only I could...).

It was while compiling the above wish-list that I started to notice a giant web of interrelated links all of which, in one way or another, referenced at least one of the following: OpenZaurus, ipk or ipkg, .tgz, .gz, ROM, kernel, mount, and so on.

Now I am not asking anyone to lead me by the hand and explain any of this. I just have an intense nagging premonition. That the foundation makes the building. That if I choose typeX ROM, or typeY OS, or typeZ software suite, I'll render my ability to cross-over to another type, later on, a sure-fire fiasco. One where I'll exclaim "uh-oh, I should have gone with xyz instead, because now I have to completely start over and get everything working again from square one" (feeling of butterflies begins in stomach).

Seriously. Are there predictable forks in the road, where a decision is later found to be "good" or "bad". Or am I being way too intimidated?

Thank you for your kind advice.

p.s. Fraggy went a long way in explaining the overall tenor that my approach should adhere to. Many thanks Fraggy.

9

General Discussion / Thanks to anyone brave enough to answer this.

« on: July 23, 2004, 03:49:22 pm »

Hi
I'm a real newbie here (unlike some 'newbies who talk about ipk/dev/bin/usr stuff that I totally do not have a clue what they're talking about). My question is simple but I have searched from the beginning of this NewbieIssues forum to here and can't seem to get a grasp on it.

Namely; If Sharp has the latest "SL-5500 v3 Zaurus OS and Synchronization Upgrade" what is the deal with ROM - OpenZaurus - Operating System - Putty SSH - zmame binary file -CACKO/CROW - Opie - Kernel - Pre1 - cross compiler - gunzip kismet-zaurus-arm-2.4.6.tar.gz - aaaaaaahhhh.........

I am so lost!!   What in the world does all this mean? Do you need one before the other? Is ROM seperate from, say, OZ? Is OZ an OS a ROM or both? Does flashing ROM mean reinstalling the operating system? Do you have to be careful to match up ROMs with everthing else you've got on your Zaurus? People say you need a CF card to do an upgrade but Sharp instructions say just do it with the Dock. eh? I must be a real bozo. I'm not getting any of this.

I have used DOS from v2.11 to v6.0 and Windows from v2.0 to WinXP Pro spanning 20 years. I program in BASIC (VB6 currently).

I don't have my Zaurus yet, but I'm beginning to think I will go nuts trying to get it to work.

Setup for this post:
Sharp Zaurus SL-5500, new from an online dealer (yet to arrive).
Whatever software/firmware that comes with it.
Want to upgrade to "v3 Zaurus OS and Synchronization Upgrade" from the Sharp site when I get the Zaurus, but am clueless as to whether this is a one-way street, no turning back kind of thing - or what?  

Thanks brave sole(s)

10

General Discussion / Does the SL-5500 already wear protective foil?

« on: July 23, 2004, 01:52:46 pm »

Perhaps "protective film" rather than "foil"?

11

General Discussion / Initial charge questions

« on: July 23, 2004, 02:10:57 am »

I think they are refering to the standby 'battery' which holds settings while you change out the main battery.

12

5x00 General discussions / Battery replacement on SL-5500

« on: July 23, 2004, 02:02:54 am »

Hi

From my electronics knowledge (not Zaurus knowledge - since I have none - I am a complete newbie here) the 'builtin backup battery' is actually a special type of capacitor. It acts as a backup battery for a period of time, long enough to change the regular battery - at least several minutes, probably well over an hour. It is only sustaining CMOS type components that require very, very small amounts of current. Because it is not really a battery it doesn't need to be replaced - at least not anytime this century:)

Someone correct me if you know that the SL-5x00 does use an actual battery rather than a cap.