[TriLUG] linux-based PDA

[Roy Vestal]

I agree with Greg in the sense, you need to look at your needs. I still 
use my SL-5500, but I'm a linux admin/developer now by trade. I run 
Linux at home, at work, and well, I've invested many hours into getting 
what I want to work with my desktops. Yes, I have my machine at work 
dual booting, but I have my apps work with it.

I look at it this way. For me, I prefer a PDA that can play a few games 
when I'm on a plane. I mean, it's fun playing DOOM and DOOM II on my 
PDA. It gets the "looks cool" points too. I've never liked checking 
email and such on my PDA, for that, I want a laptop.

So for me, a Linux based PDA is the way to go. It's easy, and it's 
simple for me.

If you wanna go the Linux route, definitely check out the Zaurus 
SL-6000. If you want to do the Pocket PC route, check out 
www.handhelds.org and see which they like. I've seen quite a few of the 
IPAQ's listed that can be set dual boot, or boot linux off of an SD/CF 
card. That way if you can afford that route you would be able to get 
your "linux fix" if needed. :P

If you really ONLY need PIM functionality, then I'd say keep the PDA and 
go with a cheap Palm like the Zire series. They are cheap, and well 
supported under Linux, Windows, and Mac.
However, if you want PIM+other stuff, you'll need to figure out what you 
want the machine to do, and go with the best platform that fits the bill.

So to summarize my blather, look at what you need, look at what platform 
works best, and go with that. For Greg, it's Pocket PC, for me, it's 
linux. For you it's......????

HTH
Roy
Greg Brown wrote:

>I've fought this same battle for years.  In the end, for me, it boiled
>down to three things:
>
>1. what was my primary desktop at work?  (it was M$, not my choice,
>but this is corporate america)
>2. Apple does not make a PDA.
>3. My java programming really sucks.
>
>With these factors in mind I went with a pocket pc.  This was a long
>while ago, back when the iPaqs were still fairly new.  The thing that
>sealed the deal for me was the add on storage and the ability to do IR
>file transfers between my laptop and PDA.  That was a nice touch. 
>That and the folding keyboard/PDA stand combo thing.  That thing was
>sweet.
>
>Today I'd probably still get a pocket pc.  The reason I really wanted
>an Apple PDA was so I would not have to carry around a huge PC just to
>transfer digital pictures to something when my camera filled up (that
>and keep track of several memory sticks).  Now with the iPhoto iPod
>that need is taken care of.  So, if I were using strictly a PDA I'd
>probably still go with the pocket PC for one reason: it's small,
>lightweight, and to the best of my knowledge it supports Active X for
>those pesky few apps that I can't seem to shake (like time card entry
>for the contact company I work for.. it's kind of a bitch not paid).
>
>Anyway, if I could replace an entire home M$ desktop and a mobile dual
>boot laptop with a pocket PC and get something to work with my system
>at work I'd personally go that route.
>
>Greg
>
>On 9/27/05, Michael Martin <michael.the.martian at gmail.com> wrote:
>  
>
>>At the risk of being off-topic, I'd like to ask for opinions from the group.
>>I am about to buy a new PDA. I currently have and have been very happy with
>>a Zaurus 5500. I would like to stay in the linux-based camp but some of the
>>M$-based PDAs are making me consider the dark side.
>>
>>The Sharp Zaurus SL-C3100 looks awesome, has a 4GB hdd but lacks wireless
>>without an addon CF card.
>>
>>The Sprint PPC-6700 is a PDA and a phone and has a camera!
>>The O2Xda Exec Mobile does all that at 520Mhz.
>>Both of these are cheaper than the Zaurus (at least from the web-reviews).
>>
>>Anyone have any opinions to help with this important decision?
>>
>>Thanks as always
>>-Michael
>>
>>--
>>"Small though it is, the human brain can be quite effective when used
>>properly." -The Sixth Doctor, 'The Two Doctors'
>>--
>>TriLUG mailing list        : http://www.trilug.org/mailman/listinfo/trilug
>>TriLUG Organizational FAQ  : http://trilug.org/faq/
>>TriLUG Member Services FAQ : http://members.trilug.org/services_faq/
>>
>>    
>>