One-handed operation, Palm conversion, Programming

[Flandry]

I had a checklist of things i wanted to verify before jumping from PalmOS (Visor Deluxe '99-'02, Handera 330 '02-'03 (stolen!!!), Palm Tungsten T3 '03-now) to Zaurus, as it has been good to me.  Unfortunately i'm just not very pleased with the T3 and PalmOne, and the good things i keep reading about the Cxxx Zauri have pushed me over the edge, so i guess that, sink or swim, i'm coming over.

There were a few things i didn't yet fully get sorted out, though, and i was hoping someone can clarify for me.  The first is how easily the Cxxx can be used one-handed.  While i have avoided thumbboarded PDAs like the plague up until now, i've come to realize that Graffiti as it exists on the T3 is probably not the best solution, so i'm willing to give the keyboard on the C860 a try.  (Hopefully it works for me!).  In particular for long journal entries and programming, Graffiti2 is painfully slow.  There are also times when it would be nice to hold something in one hand and still enter some data in the Z.  Can you operate (eg enter data in) your Cxxx one-handed?

The second is the conversion from PalmOS PIM programs.  I have substantial datebook entries (many with associated notes) going back to Christmas '99 and documenting trips to Europe and other places.  Obviously i don't want to lose these.  The FAQ at OpenZaurus was a bit incomplete and out of date.  What's the present reality of converting from Palm to Zaurus?  Can i pull everything over intact?  If i'm running Linux on my desktop, will i be able to regularly sync and update these once they're over, or will i be limited to network "sync" to copy the entire filesystem (not a bad idea, i guess, just not what i'm used to with Palm.  Do those of you formerly from the PalmOS camp find that Z satisfactorily replaces your datebook?

Finally, one of the draws of the Z for me is the potential of doing development.  Besides bash scripts, is programming on (not necessarily for) the Z a realistic endeavor?  I've seen some mention of python being ported, etc, but... does anyone use these to good effect with the thumbpad as input?

Thanks for your help, and salutations to everyone.

[bluedevils]

one hand input using the keyboard? no.  The keyboard is too big for that.  Navigating the Z in one hand is possible in portrait mode, but character input still needs a second hand for the stylus.

The kde pim project is a pretty good organizer, though the addressbook is still a work in progress.  The calendar section is relatively complete and has means of syncing with windows (through the sharp PIMs) and linux.  If you're familiar with korganizer and kaddressbook for the linux desktop, then you should be familiar with the look and feel of this.

Thoug I'm not a programmer, there are a decent number of people who have posted using the Z as a programming tool.

[lardman]

would be nice to hold something in one hand and still enter some data in the Z. Can you operate (eg enter data in) your Cxxx one-handed?

As bluedevils said one handed is not really possible (big risk of dropping the Z), but if you actually mean holding in one hand and using the other tp type (rather than doing two handed touch typing - which is also just about possible - then yes it works fine).

What's the present reality of converting from Palm to Zaurus? Can i pull everything over intact?

No idea. It might work but can you sync it all with a desktop app and sync through that? In that case you'll have far more success I'll bet.

Finally, one of the draws of the Z for me is the potential of doing development. Besides bash scripts, is programming on (not necessarily for) the Z a realistic endeavor? I've seen some mention of python being ported, etc, but... does anyone use these to good effect with the thumbpad as input?

Yes the screen size isa a bit of a pain, but it's certainly usable. GCC with all of the bells and whistles is available so there's certainly no lack of languages. I miss having two screens running at big resolutions so I can arrange everything but there's no real comparison as the two are built for different tasks.


Si