Messages

1

Linux Applications / Sdl/zgcc Problem - Please Help

« on: May 24, 2005, 10:26:53 am »

Thanks mate. That fixed the problem!

Cheers,

Ford
ps: Noticed you're from Sydney. Is there much of a Zaurus community there?
How hard is it to buy a Z? Just curious.

2

Linux Applications / Sdl/zgcc Problem - Please Help

« on: May 01, 2005, 11:01:04 am »

Any suggestions folks? I'm stuck at this point.

cheers,

Ford

3

Linux Applications / Sdl/zgcc Problem - Please Help

« on: April 17, 2005, 01:33:08 pm »

Hi All,

I'd like to port some SDL apps and develop directly on the Zaurus, but I'm stuck
at a critical step here. Any pointers you can give me would be appreciated.

I'm an experienced C coder, but not so experienced with SDL, or development on the Z.

I'm trying to get an SDL program I wrote working on the Z (I have a C860) via
onboard development - Not using a cross compiler, but building using zgcc 2.95-2
on the stock Sharp ROM.

The program compiles and runs just fine on a PC, but dies on the Zaurus with the infamous:
--
QPaintDevice: Must construct a QApplication before a QPaintDevice
Aborted
--
I've read that this error is often due to a missing link to libSDLmain.a, but I'm linking to
it already!

I built my own SDL using the CVS version of the zports SDL.
Since the checked out zports version was missing some files,
I merged it with a vanilla copy of SDL 1.2.8 - hopefully that isn't
causing some funkiness (I assume it isn't since my compiled version
of SDL doesn't seem to crash my existing SDL programs).

Here are the build options I used to compile SDL onboard:

#!/bin/bash
OPTIMIZE=" -O3 -fexpensive-optimizations -funroll-loops -fomit-frame-pointer "
export CFLAGS="$OPTIMIZE -DZAURUS_SL=1"
./configure --enable-video-qtopia --disable-video-dummy --disable-video-fbcon  -
-disable-video-dga --disable-arts --disable-esd --disable-alsa --disable-video-x
11 --disable-nasm --prefix=/opt/QtPalmtop


Here's the relevant part of the Makefile for my program:
--
CFLAGS=-Wall -g ${SDLINC}
SDLLIB=-lqte -lqpe -lSDLmain -lSDL -L/mnt/cf/.zgcc/lib -lm -lc /lib/libpthread.so.0
#note: funky link to pthread above is due to missing symlink in /lib
SDLINC=-D_REENTRANT -I/mnt/cf/.include/Qtopia
CC=$(GCCPREFIX)gcc ${CFLAGS}

foo: foo.o ${OBJ}
        ${CC} ${CFLAGS} foo.o ${OBJ} -o foo ${SDLLIB}

--

Any help would be greatly appreciated - I hope I'm just missing something
obvious (Wouldn't be the first time) ;-)

Thanks,

Ford

4

Software / C64 Emulator Total Newbie Needs Help

« on: April 17, 2005, 12:18:08 pm »

Hi Marc,

You can save games by turning on the drive emulation. That will
let you write to the disk image you're using at least (assuming your
game is stored on a .d64 file).

Screen snapshots you can do with do with other tools. Emulator
memory snapshots - dunno. Haven't tried.

I don't know how to change disks. If I recall correctly, the guy who
ported Frodo mentioned he had some problems with the SDL libraries,
such that he couldn't get changing disks to work.  

I think he wanted to let you return to Frodo GUI so that you could change
images then switch back to Frodo. I've tried to do this, but the emulator
gets reset during the swap so dunno how to make it work. If you figure it
out please let me know  

Frodo is a pretty good emulator, but x64 ("VICE") seems to have better
support for some games etc. I toyed briefly with the idea of  porting that to
the Z's Qtopia environment (perhaps using SDL) but I'm guessing it would
be quite a bit of work.


Cheers,

Ford

  hello ford...

yes FINALLY got that baby working! There was a problem with the graphics library but now fixed

now I only wonder how i can switch disks during gameplay... (in original 1541 mode) when i gop back to the giu and then back to frodo it restarts...

-is there any way to play multiple disk games?
-is there a way to save games? or do a snapshot file?

cheers,

marc
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5

Software / C64 Emulator Total Newbie Needs Help

« on: April 13, 2005, 12:02:03 pm »

Hello,

yes I did all that.

All ROM files are in the correct  frodo folder. But no change. When I click on the Frodo icon (not the Frodo GUI icon) part of the screen turns black and the machine freezes. Same as before
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=74875\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Hello,

Here's something to try:
Bring up the FrodoGUI.
Click on the 'cycles' tab.

What are the settings?
63, 23, 63, 64 respectively is what I have, and it seems to work.

I had a weird problem when I first set up Frodo where the settings
for cycles somehow got reset to 1, 1, 1, 1 (or something like that),
which seemed to be causing a black screen lock up in the Emulator.

Seems to be a bug in FrodoGUI...
I deleted the config files to get things back to normal,
but changing the settings as above should also do the trick...

Incidentally, if you get a Lockup on the emulator, pressing
the Menu button on the C760/860 (and probably related
models) should hopefully get you back out to Qtopia.

Goodluck! Let me know how it turns out.

Cheers,

Ford

6

C1000/3x00 General discussions / Just Played With The C1000.... First Impressions

« on: March 18, 2005, 02:09:47 am »

Hi All,

Just played with the C1000 in Bic Camera in Japan,
and picked up a brochure on it. They just arrived in
store today.

Bic has them for 49800 Yen (About $475 US at
current exchange rate). Bic Camera is a big chain store
here in Japan, so expect big store prices.

Note that this price is about 10000 Yen ($95US) less than
what they were selling the C860 for *yesterday*. In fact, the
C860 has no price drop yet. I presume they just haven't
updated the display...

Subjectively the C1000 feels quite a bit lighter than the
C3000, even though the supposed difference is only 20g.
The case is exactly the same as the C3000 except in
colour scheme. For some reason it seems smaller, even
though it isn't. Weird. Anyone else played with one and
got the same impression? They also had the C3000 and
C860 on hand so I got to compare all three.

I really like the new case. The black looks cool.
I have a C860 and I am (almost) tempted to upgrade
solely on the aesthetics   Although that could be a
serious case of newmodelmustupgradeitis coming on

Incidentally, I checked the System Info program on the
C1000 (in Japanese). There's a tab for devices, and it
had no no mention of a second CF slot. Only one SD, CF and USB.
Of course that doesn't conclusively prove that there isn't
another one in there

If you guys have specific things you want me to check out,
lemme know and I'll go do it (assuming the store staff won't
throw me out first )


Cheers,

Ford

7

C1000/3x00 General discussions / Speculation: 6gb C3100?

« on: March 11, 2005, 11:32:44 am »

Further thoughts on the C1000:

If it is indeed the C3000 minus the microdrive, then
it's very likely that we will be able to drop in a CF card
(microdrive or otherwise) into the microdrive's internal
CF slot with some simple surgery.

i.e. For the folks who don't like the idea of using a mini
HDD (moving parts), they can still use a big CF card, but
without having to pay for the microdrive (which they
presumably don't want anyway), and without giving up
their main CF slot.

Or for the folks who are worried about cost, they can
upgrade to the microdrive later when they can afford it/
if they decide they need it after all.  


Has anyone actually swapped out the C3000's microdrive
yet? I saw some pics a while back, but was under the
impression that using a different card wasn't tested.


Anyway, doesn't look like the Zaurus line is gonna go
back to C860 sizes anytime soon. Looks like we're stuck
with the chunky C3000 form factor for the time being
*small sigh*

Cheers,

Ford

8

C1000/3x00 General discussions / Speculation: 6gb C3100?

« on: March 11, 2005, 11:10:14 am »

Hi all,

From the linked page the dimensions are the same as the C3000,
and the pictures clearly show it as having the C3000 direction key pad
thingie (My technical term  ). It also shares the PXA270 with its
C3000 brother. It's about 20g lighter than the C3000.

Hmmm... Looks exactly like the C3000 but with the microdrive removed.
I imagine this is what it is, perhaps with some new software.

Can anyone spot any other differences?


Ford
ps: Regarding Trisoft's comments on future models:

It seems that Marc was either dishonest, or genuinely caught with
his pants down and surprised by the new model. I'll be nice and
presume it was the later.

Regardless of the reason, his credibility in my eyes has been reduced
and I will be taking his future comments with more than a grain of salt.  

What do you have to say Marc? It's not the 6GB model we were
speculating on, but it's definately a new model - something you assured
us almost moments before it was released - wasn't coming...

9

C1000/3x00 General discussions / Speculation: 6gb C3100?

« on: March 09, 2005, 07:48:35 am »

Hi Marc,

Sorry to hear you're having trouble. It must be annoying
to have people bug you about possible near-term future
models, especially if you're sure they don't exist yet, and
you're trying to sell existing inventory.

For the benefit of the staff at Trisoft, I will reiterate that my
comments starting this thread are speculation only.  i.e. I have
no actual idea if a C3100 is really in the pipeline.

Incidentally, regarding your comments on there NOT being
a new model through March->May this year, I would like to
respectfully ask you:

Does Trisoft actually have an inside view of Sharp's product line up
to make such a strong statement?   ie. Is it possible that a new
model might take you guys by surprise?

Respectfully,

Ford

Hi everybody,

could we please stop these rumors. Users and customers
are driving us crazy since a week now just because a dealer
in Akihabara said something weird.

Official statement from us:
There will be no (i repeat _NO_) new model in March. And
not in April nor in May. The SL-C3000 is new and there
will be no change in the next weeks.

For sure we will see a new model, as always. But not that fast.

Believe me, it's true, no SL-C3100 coming.

///TRIsoft

Marc Stephan
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10

C1000/3x00 General discussions / Speculation: 6gb C3100?

« on: March 02, 2005, 10:02:57 am »

Hi,

In case it wasn't clear, I meant the new iPod *mini*.
As I understand it, Apple use the 6GB Hitachi microdrive.

The C3000 and the older model iPod mini both use the
4GB microdrive.

I see no reason why you couldn't put a larger iPod sized drive
in a device like a Zaurus. I bet it feels like you're carrying
a brick in your pocket though! The Z has the extra weight of
the keyboard and screen to worry about.

I guess we'll just have to wait for those newer microdrive sized
drives ;-)

Cheers,

Ford

11

C1000/3x00 General discussions / Speculation: 6gb C3100?

« on: March 02, 2005, 09:35:09 am »

Hi guys,

I noticed that the 6GB iPods came out recently.
Also heard a rumour in another thread
that there might be a new Zaurus in March...

Putting 2 and 2 together, how about a C3000
with 6GB microdrive (C3100?)

Would be a trivial upgrade for Sharp's
engineers  to implement.

Could be an interim model that comes out before the
big upgrade to the pre-announced (?) 8-10GB microdrives
later this year. I'm hoping for a smaller C3000
(Don't like to see the size progressively creeping up)
and more RAM, but I don't have my hopes set too
high  

What do you all think? What would you like to see in
a new model clamshell Zaurus?

Cheers,

Ford

12

C1000/3x00 General discussions / C3000 O C860?

« on: March 02, 2005, 09:06:16 am »

Hi Entius,

It's a tough call. Another difference you might want to consider
is size and weight. Being in Japan, I got to play with both before
choosing, and I chose the C860 partly for this reason.

The C3000 is slightly (50g) heavier, and a little more bulky. The
C860 is already a little bulky in a jacket or pants pocket, but useable.
The C3000 feels quite a big bigger. I'm not sure I'd wanna carry it
around that much.

Anyone else find the size and weight to be a problem versus the C860?
Does it really make that much of a difference?

Anyway, here's a summary of pros and cons (ignoring the cost
differences).


C3000 advantages over C860

. 4GB built in storage is handy, plus you free up the CF if that appeals to you.
No need to buy a big card if you need the space, and don't have the cards already.

. Slightly better keyboard

. Screen seems a little brighter

. Looks nicer (subjective opinion)

. Has the new gadget wow factor

. Has flexibility of USB master (maybe handy)


C860 advantages over C3000

. Light enough for a jacket pocket. The slight weight and bulk increase of the
C3000 makes a difference for some people.

. The battery life is a little big longer (reportedly 1 hour?)

. Less chance of it breaking if you drop it (Microdrive has moving parts).

. If size it really important to you, you can use a smaller battery and shrink
the case down (swap back plates), and trade off battery life for size.
You can't do this with the C3000.

. You're using an established platform instead of an experimental one.
ROM choices are currently limited for C3000. This will get better with time of
course, and if you wanna be a pioneer then this might not be an issue.
Depends on how you wanna use your Z. If you just wanna run the Sharp
ROM maybe not too big a deal.

Anyways, hope this helps you make your choice.

Have fun!

Ford

ps: Just joined the forum. Hi everyone!