Messages

1

UK / Uk Zaurus Owners Meeting

« on: October 02, 2007, 07:44:03 am »

I'm Nottingham way, but with 2 (very) young children my chances of an evening out pass is slim to nill  

2

PocketPenguin / Alternatives

« on: April 20, 2007, 09:22:49 am »

Another alternative...?

http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS4891477736.html

"Unicon Systems has started shipping its Linux-powered development kit based on "chip-on-film" technology similar to that used in Motorola's ultra-thin "Razr" phones. The "MKit" design includes an application-ready Linux OS and tools, and targets consumer devices such as portable media players, PDAs, and UMPCs (ultra-mobile PCs)."

"...is based on a Samsung S3C240A processor, an SoC (system-on-chip) based on an ARM9 core clocked at 266MHz. The board has 32MB each of SDRAM and flash, expandable via an optional SD card slot."

"I/O includes:

    * 2 x USB 2.0 high speed ports
    * 1 x USB OTG
    * 1 x host USB 2.0 full speed
    * 1 x device USB 2.0 full speed
    * 802.11b WiFi
    * IrDA
    * 2 x RS232
    * I2C
    * SDIO
    * JTAG
    * Stereo audio I/O
    * 2D motion sensor"

3

PocketPenguin / Alternative Design For The Ppz

« on: October 18, 2006, 03:50:20 am »

Now that is a *very* nice idea.  As for securing the base to the slate part, would simple thumb screws do the job?  If that's not enough how about a mechanical solution (eyelet in the slate and hook in the attachment) as well.

4

PocketPenguin / Keyboards

« on: September 11, 2006, 08:13:54 am »

I have to admit, a fold out keyboard isn't high on my personal needs for a pda.  The Z5500 was OK and the clamshell style would be fine (again, personally).

I'd also be concerned with the joint between the two halves and how the keyboard (if it could) operate when folded.

5

PocketPenguin / Keyboards

« on: September 11, 2006, 03:49:01 am »

i have been using dvorak for awhile now (hence the wierd typos) and i am begining to feel that most people wont cahnge because they cant be stuffed, its not hard at all. i did notice the lower impact it seems to have on my hands and i have found that i tend to think dvorak is beter laid out (mabey i just use it a bit too often)

I've considered switching to a dvorak layout several times, however 3 things hold me back...

1) I've a high (touch) typing speed and would have to relearn a lot of 'finger' memory
2) my favourite (and most comfortable) keyboard I've found is a split ergonomic which (if I understand the finger layout for dvorak correctly) would stop my right first finger reaching the 'T' (on a qwerty keyboard) character equivelent.
3) I work in an environment/job where I use other peoples computers a lot - none of which have a physical dvorak keyboard and few, if any, have the dvorak layout installed.

So, while I'd love to switch I don't think it would be feasable.  Please keep a qwerty option available.

J.

6

PocketPenguin / Hardware

« on: September 08, 2006, 03:44:32 am »

I've a question which is kinda hardware based; what software is going to be used for the circuit design?  I had a quick hunt last night and the CadSoft EAGLE looks OK and there's a free version available (with a few limitations, mainly the dimensions and number of signal layers).

I was kinda hoping that as the device developed through component choice, schematic layout, board design I could follow along...

J.

Oops, forgot the link! http://www.cadsoftusa.com/

7

PocketPenguin / Software

« on: August 25, 2006, 03:33:24 pm »

Actually I saw it in a linux magazine I was browsing the other day.  Unfortunately I can't remember the magazine and had forgotten about the software until this morning!

8

PocketPenguin / Software

« on: August 25, 2006, 01:16:13 pm »

Would this project... Telepathy be of any use?

The Telepathy project aims to provide a unified framework for all forms of real time conversations, including instant messaging, IRC, voice calls and video calls. It uses the DBus messaging system to provide a simple interface for client applications, allowing them to quickly benefit from Telepathy's functionality.

At the core of Telepathy is the DBus interface specification which describes how Telepathy components communicate with each other. We are up to spec version 0.13. For a more approachable introduction to the structure of the framework, try the System Overview document. The Ubuntu spec for SIP/IM integration includes a good rationale for this distributed approach.

9

PocketPenguin / Body Design

« on: August 17, 2006, 05:47:39 am »

to many things to go wrong, anyway you have at least one on the back why do you need one on the bottom as well?
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Having one (or more) connector(s) on the bottom would allow you to 'stack' sleds which are exactly the same size as the original unit while leaving the original ports free.

Would it be that complicated to mount a usb socket vertically down at the edge of the pcb?

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PocketPenguin / Body Design

« on: August 15, 2006, 12:07:36 pm »

very intresting, i dont think i would use a mini usb sockect but somthing with a higher diensity so that we can put other things on the connector (perhaps that is a better way to get SPDIF and video out off the device)

i dont like the styling much however i am sure we can whip somthing up that looks simmilar to the PP case

onec again a great idea, keep them rolling in
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Please, whatever you choose, don't have a custom plug/socket.  I think usb would be a good idea, primarily because it's just everywhere!  Perhaps a usb + a higher density?  Would make it easy to add (read convert) usb dongles

Perhaps having a seperate one for power would be advantagous?  That way plugging in a sled which is just a battery would be easy... and you could just keep adding battery sleds (would be in parallel?) to extend battery life

11

PocketPenguin / Body Design

« on: August 10, 2006, 07:49:41 am »

Fingerprint reader.

12

PocketPenguin / Hardware

« on: August 01, 2006, 04:54:13 am »

Has embedded GPS been discarded?  (It might be useful to add things that have been discussed and discarded to the hardware list?)  I know you can get GPS units which comunicate over bluetooth but, as always, having it onboard means one less thing to carry...

13

PocketPenguin / Hardware

« on: July 31, 2006, 03:45:51 am »

Is IR still onboard?  I'd love an all-in-one remote capability   I know there are two standards (one for data and one for remote control) could we support both?  If not - I've never used the data one in my life  

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PocketPenguin / Build Your Own Linux Powered Pda

« on: July 19, 2006, 09:02:23 am »

Some comments...

Personally, I prefer the CXXX shape over the sidekick.

I have a DSLR camera which takes CF but I'm willing to carry a USB reader, esp if it makes the final PDA smaller/thinner.

Some requests...

Could we have a socket for an external arial for the wireless?  I know that space around the device will be limited, but surely not that much?

Also, was there going to be an internal HDD?  I've lost track over all these pages

Thanks.

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PocketPenguin / Build Your Own Linux Powered Pda

« on: July 05, 2006, 05:49:04 am »

I just find the SK design annoying to use. Maybe it's a me thing, maybe it's not. I just think that we should keep the Z compact.

Definately.  Keep the size as small as it needs to be.

It's a computer, not a PSP, hence why there's a keyboard on it. On thing I WAS thinking about, was a clip on controller pack for it, lokie on the old GameBoy's? Basically a USB controller designed to fit around the outside of the Z and provide the extra functions.

Good idea!

Currently, I see no reason for more than one pair of shoulder buttons and a scroll-wheel, as well as for adding analogue sticks etc.

Am not so sure about one one scroll-wheel.  A scroll-wheel would be useful when the PDA is either configurations, when in clam mode a scroll on the short edge (rhs?) could be used to scroll up/down, when in book form (ie closed with screen upmost) one would be useful on the long edge.  Do they take up so much room?  Could the finger print slit scanner work as a slider?

J.