Hi All
What's the main benefit of pdaXrom vs OZ/GPE?
They are both X11 based, as I understand it, both seem clean and quick.
Which, if any, is better and why?
I know this is all perception, but I'm curious what the perception is.
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I think I can try to answer this; it''s basically a question of what the software is based upon, because the two systems are radically different, yet quite the same.
What's the same? The ultimate goal of both is to deliver a Linux PDA environment to the Zaurus (well, OpenZaurus I guess could do more).
What's different? The software that the build systems are based upon is rather radically different. The OZ/GPE stuff is based upon a system that (last I looked) was based upon a Python program. The PdaXrom is based entirely on make(1), and on various makefiles. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Look, the entire post here is, I hope you realize, my own opinion, so I hope I don't outrage anyone, and the rest (with that caveat) ....
OE/GPE is backed by a fairly large group of programmers, but they're often rather prickly to get along with, if you make any statement that might be construed as less than wild approval of their work. PDAXrom is based (also, the last time I looked) really by only one person, who goes by the handle of Sashz, and could (in the past) be a little hard to get in contact with. The PDAXrom stuff is based upon a system that has a bit smaller codebase, and is easier to figure out (at least, it was easier for me). The last time I look at the code for OE/GPE, is was rather fragile, but you could do it yourself, and make your own fixes. The PdaXrom code was a lot more difficult to get hold of, and there is no cvs archive, never has been. I know, I tried once to get him to establish one, but he resisted. So, the OE/GPE code is more publically accessible, but harder to get your arms wrapped around (least for me). I better admit here, I know make pretty well, but I also know Python (what they are each based upon, OE/GPE==python, PdaXrom==make). I think the make scripts are of a simpler level.
If you want to learn more about PdaXrom, I strongly recommend you go look at [a href=\"http://www.pengutronix.com/events/index_en.html]http://www.pengutronix.com/events/index_en.html[/url], because while OE/GPE is based upon a self-mainted set of python scripts, pdaXrom is based upon the Penguintronix build system.
I will make an offer here, which I don't expect I will find much support for, I just hope that it doesn't create too much flames:
Anytime someone can get at least 4 programmers together who will contribute, and I volunteer right now to provide an archive for PdaXrom. I would have, in the recent past, said cvs, but now, I tink I would want to make it subversion. Doesn't matter, i have the disk, the bandwidth, and the willingness, should I find the volunteers. If Sashz wanted to, I would let him control it, if (and only if!) he will entirely, 100% stop any work outside of the archive, no more separate releases whatsoever, no excuses, none. It's either something we all can have fun with, or I won;'t have to do with it.
That's it, enough to get me into trouble, probably.
