Complete Novice Questions

[whoisit]

Hi

This is my first post here.  I have used computers for decades, all the way from the Apple II days to OS/2-Warp, to several flavors of Windows.  But I am new to Linux.  I am attracted to the Zaurus because I think that with its Linux OS I may be able to do more with it than with the feeble PDAs sold in the US. (I still regularly use a superb DOS-based palmtop, the 200LX).  I've checked the FAQs but, I still have some newbie questions:

1. I heard that an OS called "Open Zaurus" is said to be better than the OS that comes with the 5500.  Is that true? Why? How easy is it to change to Open Zaurus and if necessary return to the original factory OS?

2. Is it really possible to thumb type on the 5500 keyboard?  Zaurii are not sold in US stores, so I cannot handle one and can only judge from its image on the internet.

3. How hard is it to learn its Linux OS to someone who has not used Unix or Linux, inclujding installing new software?

4. The 3100 seems superb but beyond my budget.  How much functionality am I giving up with the 5500? How large a compact disk can it use?

5. Can the 5500 show jpg or gif images? How well?  Is there a zoom function or a way to fit the image to the screen?

Thanks.

[whoisit]

Is there a book or something I could read about using opie, etc.?

[elwood151]

1. I heard that an OS called "Open Zaurus" is said to be better than the OS that comes with the 5500.  Is that true? Why? How easy is it to change to Open Zaurus and if necessary return to the original factory OS?
3. How hard is it to learn its Linux OS to someone who has not used Unix or Linux, inclujding installing new software?
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Hi whoisit,

I'm quite a Zaurus newbie myself - I got my SL5500 end of last year and am still discovering the possibilities... I'm familiar with MacOS since many years and also Windows, and thanks to MacOS X I have a (very) little basic knowledge about UNIX-based operating systems.

At the moment, I'm using on my Zaurus the newer Sharp ROM (3.13) which can be downloaded in the Downloads section of this site. I don't have deeper Linux knowledge yet, and installing applications on the Zaurus is quite easy (at least with the Sharp ROM): double klick the *.ipk installer, choose where to install (internal storage, CF-card or SD-card) and wait a little bit... No LINUX hacking necessary.

However, if there are network configurations or anything else, you maybe have to get familiar with the Terminal and some LINUX basics, but there are some great discussion forums like this here where you get help...

After all what I've learned about my "Z" in the last months, for most things there is a solution, but it often takes time to solve the problems, if you are no LINUX geek...

Best regards

Martin

[whoisit]

What kind of images does it handle (JPG< GIF, etc.) and how good are photo renditions on its screen?

[nilch]

The 5500 keyboard inspite of its small looks is very functional.
You CAN actually thumb type on it - I used to write up whole emails on it (and I tend to be quite flowing in my personal emails) using the thimb keyboard.

Compared to the Clamshell device keyboards it is quite smaller and "chiklety" but still functional.

Opie is based on Qtopia but a open source version of it with some differences too.
I dont think there is any comprehensive book on opie - so maybe you could start off with QT itself. There is quite a lot of online documentation as well as books on that.

The Zaurus is pretty good at image manupulation. It does handle JPEG, PNG, GIF's etc - most of the common formats. And the images look crisp and sharp on the Zaurus - compared to a lot of other PDA's I have seen.

The Picture Viewer that comes with it - does do zoom and slideshows too . Aslo there is a newer Sharp image software which is even better and does slideshows, fit to screen, crop, rotate etc as well as copy image files from one location to another.

As for video (yes it does that too) - it does the regular MPEG, AVI but now WMA.
You can use thrid party tools (like mplayer) to get more standards support .

The 3100 while being quite expensive has lesser expensive brothers - the C1000. The only thing missing is a build in 4GB HDD which the 3100 has.
But the advantages over a 5500 is that these clamshells (C1000/3000/3100) come with a USB host port - so you can plug in external Hard drives, cameras, USB sticks etc to the zaurus and read them from the Z itself.
Plus the screen on the clamshells are far better - VGA resolution screens.
Keyboards are also bigger and facilitate better typing.

But by itself - the 5500 is a good entry point into the world of Linux based Handhelds.

[whoisit]

Thank you.  That is just the kind of information I was looking for.

[Painthappy]

I have two of these 5500's.  One with the Opie OS, and one with the Sharp ROM 3.10


As odd as this may sound... I like the Sharp ROM.  I like the setup, and I just got used to it first.  The Opie OS has some cool built in features... flipping the screen sideways for better internet viewing, etc.

On my Sharp ROM I have this list of extra programs:

Hancom Word
Hancom Sheet
Hancom Presenter
Checkbook
Gaim
OpieIRC
Terminal
OpieFtp
Opera Browser
Amortize
JustReader
Construct
Kismet
File Manager

Plus a ton of games...
Bunch of Java stuff like the Wapaka Wap browser for those WAP sites I like to visit, and JPortScan... for well.. port scanning my network and computer

Console I uploaded a few things.. some custom .sh files, and mec (emacs lite basically).  I can't stand VI.

I even put on a Server Manager to turn on/off the built in Telnet and Boa mini web server I put on, and both work flawlessly.

Kismet is just a blast to use and Wardrive with...  I just love hearing that thing buzz...  Find that Library Open Network, or a bunch of Free HotSpots that we have around the city.  I'm using a wireless Linksys card with it.  

The keys get easier and easier to use as you type.

I did all the above on the current internal memory...  I think there's about 8 megs left.. heh.  The Kismet output is saved to the /mnt/card

I would have used OpieOS if I could have linked it up with my Windows Computer at work, but found no way of doing that.  

Not sure if that helps, but that's my .02


Carter

[JohnKiniston]

In response to your storage question.

I've used a 512mb SD card  and a 2.2GB CF Microdrive with my 5500.

[microsoft/linux]

How's the battery life? I've heard it's not great...Thoughts on making it better?

[brashley46]

How's the battery life? I've heard it's not great...Thoughts on making it better?
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Yeah, the battery life on a 5500 is not real great, about 2 hours of continuous use. There are battery extender packs out there (for example on eBay) that use 4 AA batteries to recharge the internal LIon. And I hear the internal will pack it in after about 400 full recharges.

Unless one of the veterans knows any better?

[microsoft/linux]

And I hear the internal will pack it in after about 400 full recharges.

meaning after about a year, I'd have to replace the battery? Other thoughts?

[niv]

some answers