New 860 Owner

[conundrum]

First of all, I'm looking to get a screen protector, reccomendations?  Do any of you use 3rd party styli?  Also, I bought my 860 with an extended battery, is there a "normal" sized one?

Finally, when will gcc be ready for the zaurus?  There are a few applications I find myself missing sorely (like pico and epic, for when I don't want to run X).

[chrisd]

Instructions for pdaXrom RC5

1) Download the development image (here).

2) mkdir /opt/arm/3.3.2-vfp

3) mount -o loop /path/to/gcc-3.3.2.img /opt/arm/3.3.2-vfp

4) Ready

[conundrum]

That will run gcc succesfully on the Zaurus?  Configure scripts and all?  

[pgas]

That will run gcc succesfully on the Zaurus? Configure scripts and all?

yes but:

for configure scripts,
* you'll need at least to install make.
* Some configure script requires additional tools, like the one in coreutils-extra.
*Some applications require lots of memory to compile so you will need to activate a swap in these cases.
* And finally some application might not be running out of the box on arm.

Note that it is NOT as bad as it may sound, and it is often easy to compile apps natively

[conundrum]

Hrmm.  This can't be good.

Code: [Select]

mount: can't find /opt/arm/3.3.2-vfp in /etc/fstab or /etc/mtab

[scoutme]

brando ultra clear protectors are fantastic - do not get a stupid/glary one, or you'll start hating your z.
The 860 comes Only inthe "extended battery" configuration you bought - you ca buy the small battery, anyway.
Finally, compiling on zaurus is very effective - you have all you need in the pdaxrom feed: gcc, bison, make and a lot of libs - also, you can use sources and compliled package directly from debian feed - obviously ARM binaries

[chrisd]

@ conundrum

Please post your steps and the full mount command you're using.

[gromituk]

I would second the recommendation for the Bando screen protectors, as sold in the UK by ShirtPocket.  When I imported my 860 from a Japanese company, I asked for a screen protector at the same time.  This has a matt surface which greatly reduced the quality of the display by giving it a speckly appearance.  I imagine these ordinary protectors are fine for displays with larger pixels, but they are really bad news for a 3.7" VGA job.  The Bando ones are virtually invisible.

I also bought a PDAir stylus, which has a built-in pen and reset pin.  It looks and feels better, but the unscrewable reset pin end broke off when I dropped it - not very impressive.  I can glue it in permanently, though, as the Z doesn't have a reset button.

[conundrum]

chrisd: I used the exact commands you posted (obviously with the correct path to zgcc).

gromituk: Thanks.  I was looking at the PDAir stylus, but I just don't see myself using the pen.  If I wanted a heavier stylus, I would just buy a 5600 one off Sharp.   What about a case?  The ones on PDAir concern me, looks like they use clips.  The case on this is beautiful, and I more want something to keep it in while moving from place to place than a book cover of sorts.

EDIT: Nevermind.  Missed "loop" after -o somehow.

[gromituk]

The pen can be useful if you actually need to write something and you only have the Z with you!

I have the PDAir case, too.  It makes the Z quite a bit bulkier, but is very quick to open.  It's a little scary bending the clips to fit into the holes in the Z, but so far the system has worked well.  My main criticism is that the rigid base plate makes removing CF memory cards difficult, because you can't get your finger underneath.  No problem with wifi cards though, because you just pull them out by the aerial extension.

Before I got the PDAir case, I used an old neoprene zip-up case from a Palm folding keyboard.  It was a little large, and of course takes longer to open than the PDAir case.  But it protected well.

[scoutme]

also, aluminium cases are nice. But they act as boxes, and you have to pick your z out of them. When I bought my sl-c860, I bought an aluminium case, cause I thought it was cool, thin, tough and a lot better of those ugly PDAir cases.

Now I have a PDAir leather case, and I don't use aluminium case anymore. As to speed, PDair leather cases are umbeatable; you can take the CF card inserted, and you have not to thorow them away when using the zaurus.
On the other hand, you have a Sharp Big Mac instead of a Sharp Mac Toast.

[gromituk]

How do you get a CF memory card out?  I can just about do it by pushing my index finger underneath, but it's awkward and I'm sure it puts undesirable forces on the machine.

Note for others: apart from this, everything except the battery compartment is easily accessible using a PDair case, and you don't have to open the cover to plug in the charger.  A bit of a pain when you want to re-flash.  

[conundrum]

On the topic of flashing, I can't believe there is no reset button.  It's great to think your software is stable, but don't screw your users over when it does crash.

What do you guys think of this case? http://conics.net/shp/pda/zaurus-sl-c700/c...palmpal-03.html  Anyone own one?  As I said I'm looking more for something to keep it in while I'm moving around, not a 24/7 protective shell.

[gromituk]

There isn't a reset button - the way to reset it is to take the battery out.

[scoutme]

@gromituk: just pull the CF. You just force on somthing that's made to be forced (the anchor system). Just like pcmcia on notebook, where you can get out cards by pressing the button OR by simply pulling

@conundrum: tha case looks good to me. The aluminium one maybe will be good too, if not more for your needs: it's the most resistent, and it's not 24/7