GPE

[omro]

Hi All,

I was faffing around with the links in the other post about trying out OZ 3.5 and came across a build with GPE dated 2004-09-05 for my 5500.

Though I'm sure that because this is a pre-release things aren't fully functioning, such as the backlight applet, it won't suspend, etc.

However, my first impressions of GPE seem very favourable. It has a nice and clean look, which appeals to me as I prefer Gnome to KDE on my Linux PC. Though if there is a way to get rid of the mouse cursor in GPE...

I was wondering... is there a plan to shift towards GPE rather than OPIE for OZ?

Is there a list of what applications can be installed on GPE? If so, where?

I would guess that GPE is a little bit behind OPIE, though I may be wrong, it might just be the build. What are more seasoned user's impressions?

[lardman]

it won't suspend

How to suspend on the 5500 is in here (snooze):

https://www.oesf.org/forums/inde...?showtopic=5611

I was wondering... is there a plan to shift towards GPE rather than OPIE for OZ?

The answer is no, both are supported. Read this thread:
https://www.oesf.org/forums/inde...pic=6541&hl=bus



Si

[omro]

Yeah, but.......

Surely it would be best to give one environment an emphasis. Most distributions tend to concentrate on one environment and commit to that and develop decent applications for that environment.

Are there any advantages of using GPE over OPIE?

At the moment, it seems like a big disadvantage, since OPIE and Qtopia have been around for ages and the bulk of apps seem to be writen for them.

Unless there is a secret stash of GPE apps.

As always the most important things such as word processor/spreadsheet type package, a media player, a web browser and the PIM.

[lardman]

Unless there is a secret stash of GPE apps

Oh yeah, I forgot about that bit.

GPE is what the iPAQs have always been running (as the GUI for their familiar distro). This also means that there are already two groups with their own projects. OE has brought them together and it trying to make it easier to build whichever GUI you want for whichever device.

Take a look here for info about GPE, apps, etc.: http://gpe.handhelds.org/


Si

[omro]

I'd seen those pages and lists of apps aren't that obvious from there, even the links are a bit naff.

It needs a bit of a nice database like the killefiz.de/zaurus...

Is there a GPE scaled down word processor/spreadsheet perhaps a cut down of abiword or something?

[lardman]

It needs a bit of a nice database like the killefiz.de/zaurus...

You could try ipkgfind.handhelds.org and set appropriate search terms (so I hear).

Is there a GPE scaled down word processor/spreadsheet perhaps a cut down of abiword or something?

No idea. Sorry.


Si

[omro]

Gap in the market for both then under GPE!  

[nevarrie]

I guess I see the fact that gpe uses X means there is alot of stuff out there that could be used on it.  At least this is my reason fro trying to get gpe running, also I like the idea of being able to uses firefox on my Z...

[lardman]

I guess I see the fact that gpe uses X means there is alot of stuff out there that could be used on it.

Yes, this was also my reasoning.

Is there a GPE scaled down word processor/spreadsheet perhaps a cut down of abiword or something?

I suppose I should have said earlier; assuming it'll run on pdaXrom, there's no reason why it shouldn't run on OZ+GPE - just as long as all of the libs are available (read: have been integrated into OE). Therefore Abiword itself will probably run (though I'm not sure about the state of the required libs at the mo).


Si

[Drooling Iguana]

I guess I see the fact that gpe uses X means there is alot of stuff out there that could be used on it.  At least this is my reason fro trying to get gpe running, also I like the idea of being able to uses firefox on my Z...

They've got Firefox for pdaX, but it ran really slow on my 750.  Not really useable as a main web browser, and too big to keep around as a backup.

[nevarrie]

They've got Firefox for pdaX

I am still waiting for someone to get pdax to work on the SL-6000L...but since I found I like the open embedded build system better I have been using it to build me a rom with X...now if I can just figure out how the buildin wifi works on the 6000 I will be a happy camper...

 

but it ran really slow on my 750. Not really useable as a main web browser, and too big to keep around as a backup.

So far of what I have been able to uses it on my GPE image for the 6k I would have to agree it is a little slow but I also think Opera is a little slow...but I have only been able to open pages I have stored ont eh cf card...I will have to see what I think of it once i get wifi working...

[lardman]

but it ran really slow on my 750. Not really useable as a main web browser, and too big to keep around as a backup.

So far of what I have been able to uses it on my GPE image for the 6k I would have to agree it is a little slow but I also think Opera is a little slow...but I have only been able to open pages I have stored ont eh cf card...I will have to see what I think of it once i get wifi working...

pdaXrom use part (I think) of the ATi hardware acceleration by linking against the Sharp libqte to provide access to the functions. This isn't done with OZ, though it may be possible to implement this. Ideally obtaining more info/SDK from ATi would be better. There's a recent thread about this in one of the sections.

Anyway that may be the reason that OZ with GPE appears to be slow; plus pdaXrom may have made some changes to the X server (would this make a difference)? I don't know.


Si

[omro]

GPE didn't seem to be that slow, but I didn't use is long enough to really give it a trial.

I have a feeling that since I need a PDA with a web browser, word processor and spreadsheet, that I'm going to have to stay with the Qtopia/OPIE side of things rather than the GPE.

I hope that the hancom apps install under OZ 3.5 with OPIE, since they seem to be my only options right now  

I guess if you wanted to run full scale X app, like Abiword, on a zaurus, you're looking at a serious SD memory card to provide the storage space for that app!

[lardman]

It was fine on the 5500, but on my C750 it was slower than pdaXrom.


Si

[omro]

So what have people actually installed under GPE that normally you'd only be able to install on a full linux PC?