Messages

1

UK / *BUMP*

« on: August 10, 2005, 12:57:40 pm »

Ah, that is very interesting. I came across the vpnc yesterday and I wondered if it would work with my employer's cisco vpn concentrator... I will definitely have a play with that!
[div align=\"right\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

I made some notes about setting up vpnc here:

[a href=\"http://www.chadfield.com/zaurus.html]http://www.chadfield.com/zaurus.html[/url]

2

UK / *BUMP*

« on: August 09, 2005, 05:22:57 pm »

I am living in Sunny Swindon.

This is my second attempt at using an SL5500 as my main PDA. I miss being able to easily hotsync with Solaris (work) and Linux (home) like I could with my Visor Pro.

There are compensations however - like using vpnc to connect to my company's Cisco Concentrator to check email when travelling...

3

Sharp ROMs / Sharp Rom Download

« on: August 05, 2005, 03:44:56 am »

Try the qtopia 2.1 rom again. The resume issue on 5500 has been fixed.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=90771\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Cool, I will try this at the weekend. Now suspend/resume works I will be able to start using this ROM and finding all the other bugs  

4

Angstrom & OpenZaurus / Oz3.5.3 (collie) On/off Button Problem

« on: June 30, 2005, 07:04:20 pm »

The package manager is the heart and soul of any Linux distro. IMHO you don't consider releasing even an early beta if the package manager isn't working. What use is an OS if the end user can't easily install and uninstall applications? Including those in the "feed" and under direct control of the distro he is using?

Hmmm...Looking at your signature information seems to somewhat minimize your argument:

Code: [Select]

SL-5500, Sharp ROM 3.13,
Windows XP Pro SP2,
Intellisync 3.2E, Outlook 2003.
Last I remember, Windows' package manager was at the mercy of the whatever programs get installed, and it is a constant fight against cruft. I'm not trying to start an OS war here, but you really need to either lend a hand or shut up. Your constant needling of the openzaurus developers is couterproductive.

And by the way, does your diatribe above mean that Slackware is not a real Linux distro?

My experience of OZ is that the graphical installer is broken and is not even capable of installing packages from the OZ feed.

There is always the command line. Whats so hard about ipkg install <package>? I have not used the gui package manager since I installed 3.5.3...Not because it is broken, but because the command line is generally quicker than a gui.

To be a credible Linux distro for the Zaurus OZ is required to support a much smaller range of hardware than a standard X86 distro. It also needs to support a much smaller range of user applications - just stable replacements for the Sharp ROM applications would be good start.

OZ + Opie fail on both counts.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=86232\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Really? Then you object to Debian as well? Since we have tens of thousands of packages in our repository, does that mean we also fail as a credible Linux distro? Please go back to the Sharp forums.

--Storm
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Firstly, comments about Windows package management are completely irrelevant. Windows XP is not a Linux distro - OZ is.

Slackware does have package management. It doesn't handle dependancies but it reliably installs and removes packages - particularly those distributed as part of Slackware.

Sharp made no mistake in not including a terminal app as part of the default installation for the original Linux based Zaurus line. A graphical installer is the correct solution for this class of devices. Use of the command line should not be required for basic administrative tasks on a device with a low resolution screen and a tiny keyboard.

The OZ/Opie graphical installer is broken. Installing packages from the OZ feed via the command line is extremely unreliable and usually requires trawling through the forums for fixes for each broken package.

Given how critical power managment is to the Zaurus line and package management is to any Linux distro I am amazed that anyone is prepare to push out releases with those key features broken yet still expects to maintain any credibility.

5

Angstrom & OpenZaurus / Oz3.5.3 (collie) On/off Button Problem

« on: June 28, 2005, 06:55:31 pm »

I have no idea what the OZ team are trying to achieve because it certainly doesn't appear to be a stable, user orientated environment for the Sharp Zaurus.

Excellent observation. The OZ people have fun working in their precious spare time on a Linux distribution for their Zaurus devices. We heard it's also of some use to others, that's why we make it available for free - oh yes and because of we believe in open source software.

I'm afraid if you want to have a stable, user oriented environment, you've got to work on one for yourself or pay someone else to do that. Open Source has always been

"I have an issue => I fix it => I make it available to others."

I'm sorry, but it never has been

"I do what pleases you".

Yes we try to fix bugs that get reported, however it is our precious spare time and there is no way that people like you define our priorities.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=85516\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

The package manager is the heart and soul of any Linux distro. IMHO you don't consider releasing even an early beta if the package manager isn't working. What use is an OS if the end user can't easily install and uninstall applications? Including those in the "feed" and under direct control of the distro he is using?

My experience of OZ is that the graphical installer is broken and is not even capable of installing packages from the OZ feed.

To be a credible Linux distro for the Zaurus OZ is required to support a much smaller range of hardware than a standard X86 distro. It also needs to support a much smaller range of user applications - just stable replacements for the Sharp ROM applications would be good start.

OZ + Opie fail on both counts.

6

Angstrom & OpenZaurus / Oz3.5.3 (collie) On/off Button Problem

« on: June 22, 2005, 06:21:56 pm »

I'm sorry, but I don't think that will change anything. At the moment, we don't have any developers left to look into the suspend/resume issues. I'm afraid that someone outside the core team will have to look into this bug.

And I'm afraid this is rather impertinent, as I don't have the skills to develop OZ myself, but I'm going to say it anyway:

Isn't there a problem with priorities here? I mean, this bug is going to affect every last user of OZ with a 5500d, 5500 or 5600. It cripples your OS by taking away fundamental functionality (power-on, alarm-clock, reliable time-keeping) What could be more important?

Disclaimer: I use OZ, I like OZ, I respect everyone's voluntary contributions, etc., etc., but there are already >90 posts in this thread. Someone had to say it.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=85305\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

I speak as someone who has tried OZ and given up on it as nothing more than a cool developers project. Its focus is not end users. It is of no use to end users.

If the Zaurus doesn't spiral into obscurity it will be on account of the efforts made by Sharp or Trolltech to develop an environment focussed on the needs of end users NOT on the OZ doodles.

Pat Volkerding can support a viable Linux distro for x86 by himself because he is focussed on producing a real product of use to other people. I have no idea what the OZ team are trying to achieve because it certainly doesn't appear to be a stable, user orientated environment for the Sharp Zaurus.

7

Software / Pims Data

« on: May 23, 2005, 05:58:23 pm »

The screenshots for KDE PIM/pi make it look pretty overly colourful, not a big fan of the KDE Pim look  (dare I say unprofessional?) and perhap suited for a screen bigger than the Zaurus.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=81112\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

I would agree. The interface might work well on devices with VGA resolution but seems way over-the-top for an SL5500.

I tried OZ and Opie but found it too buggy for my liking. I am sure the developers have a lot of fun working on it but I find it hard to believe their primary focus is on providing a stable environment for end users.

I am pretty content using Sharp's 3.13 ROM and keeping half an eye on the new Qtopia ROM in case that turns out to be viable alternative.

8

Angstrom & OpenZaurus / Oz And Qtopiadesktop On Linux

« on: April 07, 2005, 07:30:21 am »

THanks guys. I've gotten the some apps to work, but I'm still having path problems. Is there a setup that sorta "mimics" the sharp rom? I'm looking for an alternative to the Sharp ROM that can sync with Qtopia Desktop on Linux. I play with dev from time to time but I mainly use my Zaurus as a PDA and sometimes handheld CPU. I'd prefer a ROM that works like the Sharp ROM.

Any suggestions?
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=73902\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

I am in the same boat as you. At the moment I am hoping that the new Qtopia ROM will fulfill my needs. They have released an initial beta but it is clear that it requires a lot of work. IRDA and suspend are broken on the 5500 ROM. As they are giving this away free I don't suppose fixing these problems will be a high priority.

To be honest, I would be perfectly content to run the latest Sharp ROM if only they would release a compatible version of Qtopia desktop for Linux. If a small fraction of the effort put into all the other Zaurus development projects had been directed towards producing an open source Qtopia Desktop this would have been solved ages ago.

9

Angstrom & OpenZaurus / Opie Todo Sync With Qtopia Desktop

« on: April 06, 2005, 03:50:32 pm »

"latest Opie" as in 3.5.2 or the pre-release 3.5.3?

Which version of Qtopia Desktop? I have the 1.7 RedHat version working just fine under Slackware-current (10.1 updated to -current 3/26/05 updates) with Opie 3.5.2.

-- sojourner
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OZ 3.5.2. When I sync with Qtopia desktop 1.7.0 the Description field is blank when viewed on the desktop.

10

Angstrom & OpenZaurus / Opie Todo Sync With Qtopia Desktop

« on: April 06, 2005, 03:09:07 pm »

When I sync the latest Opie with Qtopia desktop the Description field is blank when viewed in Qtopia desktop. Could someone please explain to me why this incompatibility was introduced?

There must surely be a really good reason for disrupting such basic functionality but I have searched high and low and have found no explanation.

11

Sharp ROMs / Qtopia Rom 2.1.1

« on: April 05, 2005, 05:44:48 pm »

and lastly - where is the Suspend thingie ? I am having to switch it off from the back battery switch.

Cancel button! or let is suspend on it own.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=73672\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

This is broken on the 5500 ROM. I found that if I left mine to its own devices on battery far from suspending it would in fact keep turning the backlight on to full power every few minutes.

It is not usable in this state.

12

Sharp ROMs / Qtopia Rom 2.1.1

« on: April 05, 2005, 11:28:41 am »

I downloaded the new Qtopia Desktop on my Mac and it's Great!

I dont see the UI problems that 1.7 had and I was able to sync with the new rom once I adjusted the security settings.

How I wish there was a 64/0 image with home on SD right now!
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=73627\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Have you had any luck getting the Z to suspend with this ROM?

13

Sharp ROMs / Qtopia Rom 2.1.1

« on: April 05, 2005, 05:03:53 am »

3. Does not sync with Qtopia Desktop 1.7.0 because of version compatibility.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=73511\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Updated versions of the Qtopia Desktop have appeared on ftp.trolltech.com.

14

Sharp ROMs / Qtopia Rom 2.1.1

« on: April 05, 2005, 02:54:16 am »

Can you get your Zaurus to suspend? Maybe I have a bad flash or something strange is going on but mine wont suspend.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=73518\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]

Is this due to the 'cancel suspend when online' setting mentioned by nilch?

I haven't got time now to reflash and find out.

15

Sharp ROMs / Qtopia Rom 2.1.1

« on: April 04, 2005, 04:58:09 pm »

Just tried this on an SL-5500.

1. Looks gorgeous.

2. No IRDA (known issue) fixed soon I hope?

3. Does not sync with Qtopia Desktop 1.7.0 because of version compatibility.

4. Cannot generate British pound sign using Fn Shift-4.

Hope they fix these issues because I would love to have a stable OS that syncs with Linux.