Linux On The Axim

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.lerhaupt.com/linux.html#axim' target='_blank'>http://www.lerhaupt.com/linux.html#axim</a><br /><br /></div>Looks like a couple of hackers have managed to get the Familiar Linux handheld distribution running on an Axim.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20030701-Axim-Linux.jpg" /><br /><br />It's an early release, so there are lots of limitations (such as the fact that you can't yet flash it into ROM, and it's quite unstable), but it's always great to see the enthusiast community eke more functionality out of their devices.

[WyattEarp]

Very cool... two :way to go: :way to go: for the linux community and their innovations. Just one more way to keep your PPC from getting old. I may try it when I can no longer update my PPC and have to buy another one. Always liked Linux as an alternative to Windows.

[Jhokur2k]

Tempting, ohhh so tempting... and yes, I would run apache & mysql on it as a portable server to show off my site when I'm out and about :p

[CTSLICK]

I would love to try this at some point...and I can't even explain why. I am not a Linux-geek by any stretch of the imagination. I managed to get my laptop set up to dual boot to Mandrake 8.0 or Win2k...thats about the depth of my Linux experience. So maybe its just me rooting for the underdog. Maybe its just me hoping that one of the brainiacs will find a way to do it thats truly useful and expands the possibilities for my device. In any case I say go team go!!

[Foo Fighter]

I would love to try this if there were some safe, easy, and reliable way of switching (reflashing) back and forth between OSs. :worried:

Still, I'm not a fan of Qtopia. Too clunky and complex. :grumble:

[sponge]

Familiar Linux is already quite useful, just maybe not on the Axim at the moment.

I'm assuming the bootloaders on the Dell and the iPaq will eventually be similar, but with the iPaq, you can flash right from a CF card, using a handy menu interface. Much better than going through a serial connection, and a helluva lot faster.

[troyrogers]

I would love to try this if there were some safe, easy, and reliable way of switching (reflashing) back and forth between OSs.


With this version, you aren't flashing your ROM. You put the distro on a CF card and run it from there. Eventually, you will flash your ROM (knock on wood) but this seems pretty safe to try out.

[aroma]

Still, I'm not a fan of Qtopia. Too clunky and complex. :grumble:

Have you looked at Opie recently? (It's a Qtopie derivitive.) I'ts now under feature-lock for it's v1 release. I've been using it for a while now on my 3850, and it's quite nice. They've made quite a few improvements over last few months... and a TON of improvements from it's Qtopie roots...

- Aaron

[danmanmayer]

So i know the XDA and the IPaq can do this what other systems do they have running it?

[Maverick]

:roll:

Wow, you actually gave credit to Slashdot instead of just ripping them off this time...

[pro_worm]

Linux?
Smells like acne to me.

[Steven Cedrone]

Wow, you actually gave credit to Slashdot instead of just ripping them off this time...

What is that supposed to mean? When someone submits a news story it is up to them to tell the news team the source. It's obvious that Janak actually saw this on Slashdot and thus he credited them with the "find"...

Ripping them off? Sheesh... :roll:

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

Wow, you actually gave credit to Slashdot instead of just ripping them off this time...
Um, whatever. In addition to what Steve says, has it occurred to you that, on occasion, other news sites have also covered the topic? If, for example, I link to a News.com article because either I or the submitter saw it there, and Slashdot happened to post on it too, it doesn't mean I ripped off Slashdot. :roll:

I happen to be a old-time Slashdot reader, and I know how to attribute, so don't assume I'm anti-Slashdot, anti-Linux, or any such thing. :?

--janak

[Simon Miller]

If you want real linux on your iPAQ then take a look here

http://intimate.handhelds.org/

A full Debian install on a handheld :)

I know the developers working on this, and seeing an XFree86/Gnome desktop running on an iPAQ is quite a sight :)

So far support is superb for the 3600 series, and support for the 3800 series is slowly but surely getting there. If you've got the kit and want real power on your handheld, i'm sure this is the way to go. If you want to get involved helping them test it im sure they won't object, if you've got a 3800 series and are willing to re-flash it then give them a shout.

Simon

[Steven Cedrone]

I need to ask a question, take it easy on me: Once you do get Linux running on the device, what can you do with it???

Is is just a question of W?BIC...

Or are there apps available and software that will allow you to get data to and from your PC???

Just curious...

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

I need to ask a question, take it easy on me: Once you do get Linux running on the device, what can you do with it???
There are PDA environments, such as Opie (http://opie.handhelds.org/screnies.php).

You can also port your own apps and stuff, if you've programmed in Linux.

And yes, there is totally an element of W?BIC thrown in there. ;)

--janak

[Steven Cedrone]

Looks cool! But no sync with a desktop, correct???

Steve

[Janak Parekh]

Looks cool! But no sync with a desktop, correct???
Not sure about Opie. I do know some solutions do exist, although they're probably not yet as slick as ActiveSync/HotSync. A commercial environment, WITH sync, is Qtopia (http://www.trolltech.com/products/qtopia/) -- this is what the Zaurus units use. I can't remember the free ones at the moment though -- a navigation through handhelds.org might do the trick.

--janak

[Simon Miller]

Looks cool! But no sync with a desktop, correct???

Well, if you want to sync with linux the answer is Multisync, this is a wonderful app thats syncs between, well most things :) Works with Ximian Evolution (the Outlook-a-like for Linux) and can be found here:

http://multisync.sourceforge.net/

Also, if anyone here wants to use their PPC handheld on a Linux system, there is a project in progess called SynCE that aims to make this possible. It uses MultiSync and there is already KDE integration for it. More info is here:

http://synce.sourceforge.net/synce/

Simon

[szamot]

Now if Linux community only got their act together and released something that is compatible with the current devices that would be something interesting. Support for 3600 is years late and support for 3800 just being developed - honestly I have to ask WHY? we already have/had 39xx, 54xx, 19xx and 22xx and most likely 40xx by Christmas and Linux is only good on 36xx. By the time they get 38xx working 54xx will be long gone. I think some one needs to focus on things that can make the difference. Linux boys and girls impress us with something that we can actually use..

[Simon Miller]

Hi,

I'm responding to this as a mate of mine spends a lot of his time working on projects for Linux on the iPAQ, so i think I can maybe explain why things are the way they are.

Support for 3600 is years late and support for 3800 just being developed - honestly I have to ask WHY? we already have/had 39xx, 54xx, 19xx and 22xx and most likely 40xx by Christmas and Linux is only good on 36xx.

Well, 39xx's, 54xx's, 19xx's and 22xx's are not free, so unless some kind soul would like to donate these handhelds to these developers, the chance of them finding $300+ per device out of their own pockets to buy them is very unlikely. Remember, this is free software developed by people in their free time, not usually as a full time job (it wouldn't pay very well). Development will generally take place on the hardware you have available, and it just so happens that the 3600's are the most popular devices around. It might also be worth bearing in mind that they're not being supported by the manufacturers (although i do think Compaq were supporting a Linux project for handhelds, handhelds.org i think it was) so they are on their own when it comes to developing support for the hadware such as Wifi chipsets and bluetooth chipsets.

They are working damn hard, spending that could be better spent elsewhere, but they choose to work on projects such as this, if its not moving fast enough for you, offer them your help. Even if you cant program they will almost certainly be able to make use of your assitance be it for testing, documentation, or supporting others.. Please before you slate their efforts remember, they're not being paid, there is no manufacturer support for what they do (not directly at least), they are not being given the hardware to develop on, and they are all working hard, if its not good enough for you, why not help them out?

I have played around with a few of the iPAQ linux distro's, and i have to say they are coming along well, and hoepfully there will be something to show for it all soon.

I dont mean to cause arguements or offence, just giving a bit of info from the other side that you may not be aware of.

Cheers.

Simon