Linux on my Pocket PC

Anarki · 30th July 2004, 2:40 PM

Well, I finally got my hands on an iPaq (3700) and installed Familiar Linux 0.7.2 on it. I had to modify the USB cradle with a combination of soldering and researching pinouts to install it.

I must say that it's very cool to be able to carry a 206MHz/64Mb Linux 'PC' around in your pocket, even though it only does ~157 BogoMIPS.

I have GPE as my 'Palmtop Environment', and so far have only hit a couple of bugs.

It's very fast, and comes with games, which is always good.

I still have to get a PPP connection up and running so I can install other software, and update the system.
Also on the list of things to do is getting an expansion sleeve and a 256MB+ CF card to play Ogg Vorbis or MP3 files on the go. It would be nice to run something like Kismet on it with a CF Wifi card and go WarWalking.

Here are some links:

Familiar Linux Project

GPE [GTK+2.2 widget set, X Windows] - call it Gnome for Familiar

OPIE (Open Palmtop Integrated Environment) [Qt, X Windows] - The KDE-like equivalent

Questions? Comments?

birdie · 3rd August 2004, 10:36 AM

I have considered putting linux on my ipaq but I haven't found the need.

Whats better about it that compared to Pocket PC?

I have been holding back for a few reasons which I am unsure of:
- Does it have all the Hardware support the Pocket PC does?
- Does it have all the software eqivalents that come with Pocket PC?
- Does it sync with Outlook?
- Does it have many programs, ie games etc?
- One thing that would be cool, does it add usb host capabilities?

nux · 4th August 2004, 5:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by birdie
I have considered putting linux on my ipaq but I haven't found the need.

Whats better about it that compared to Pocket PC?

I have been holding back for a few reasons which I am unsure of:
- Does it have all the Hardware support the Pocket PC does?
- Does it have all the software eqivalents that come with Pocket PC?
- Does it sync with Outlook?
- Does it have many programs, ie games etc?
- One thing that would be cool, does it add usb host capabilities?

It is basically a Linux PC device.
Support is sketchy, I know for the Toshiba ones have some support, but not too much.
It is a linux OS, and should be able to run linux programs.
It doesnt sync with outlook.
Yes
No (The only PDAs that have this are the Toshiba ones iirc, it is hardware not software)

Basically, if you want to experiment with Linux on the PDA use it, if you want a functioning PDA use MS.

neo2_tas · 5th August 2004, 7:35 AM

I'm interested in doing this but I only have the USB cradle, can you give some details on how you modded it to Serial?

Anarki · 5th August 2004, 10:41 AM

This page should be helpful.

Just a correction to nuxie1's post; it's a Linux ARM device, not PC

Also, there's some good info here about syncing PktPC devices with linux (Evolution) and windows (Outlook).

Zardoz · 30th August 2004, 11:07 PM

The nifty thing with this is that you can run standard PCMCIA card swith the PC card sleeve. Useful if you want to add, say, a USB host card and external storage, or a wireless card for site surveys etc.

30th July 2004, 2:40 PM	#1
Anarki Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,235	Linux on my Pocket PC Well, I finally got my hands on an iPaq (3700) and installed Familiar Linux 0.7.2 on it. I had to modify the USB cradle with a combination of soldering and researching pinouts to install it. I must say that it's very cool to be able to carry a 206MHz/64Mb Linux 'PC' around in your pocket, even though it only does ~157 BogoMIPS. I have GPE as my 'Palmtop Environment', and so far have only hit a couple of bugs. It's very fast, and comes with games, which is always good. I still have to get a PPP connection up and running so I can install other software, and update the system. Also on the list of things to do is getting an expansion sleeve and a 256MB+ CF card to play Ogg Vorbis or MP3 files on the go. It would be nice to run something like Kismet on it with a CF Wifi card and go WarWalking. Here are some links: Familiar Linux Project GPE [GTK+2.2 widget set, X Windows] - call it Gnome for Familiar OPIE (Open Palmtop Integrated Environment) [Qt, X Windows] - The KDE-like equivalent Questions? Comments? __________________ My trades list is here. __________________

3rd August 2004, 10:36 AM	#2
birdie Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bundaberg, Queensland Posts: 1,264	I have considered putting linux on my ipaq but I haven't found the need. Whats better about it that compared to Pocket PC? I have been holding back for a few reasons which I am unsure of: - Does it have all the Hardware support the Pocket PC does? - Does it have all the software eqivalents that come with Pocket PC? - Does it sync with Outlook? - Does it have many programs, ie games etc? - One thing that would be cool, does it add usb host capabilities? __________________ Main PC: Intel C2Q Q6600 G0, Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R, 4GB Corsair PC6400, Albatron 8800GTX, 1TB Samsung, Antec Nine Hundred, Corsair TX750W, Dell 2407WFP 24" LCD Laptop: T2310, 2GB RAM, 320GB, 14.1", Intel X3100, DVDRW, 802.11G Camera Gear: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 10-20 F/4-5.6 EX, Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 EX, Canon 50 F/1.8, Canon 70-200 F/2.8 L 2x 8Gb Lexar Pro 133x, Lowepro Computrekker Plus AW Rolling, Manfrotto 190X PRO B and 804RC2

5th August 2004, 10:41 AM	#5
Anarki Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,235	This page should be helpful. Just a correction to nuxie1's post; it's a Linux ARM device, not PC Also, there's some good info here about syncing PktPC devices with linux (Evolution) and windows (Outlook). __________________ My trades list is here. __________________

30th August 2004, 11:07 PM	#6
Zardoz Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,689	The nifty thing with this is that you can run standard PCMCIA card swith the PC card sleeve. Useful if you want to add, say, a USB host card and external storage, or a wireless card for site surveys etc. __________________ Q9300, ASUS P5E-WS-PRO, 8GB RAM, Raidcore 4852+8x1TB 7200.11 (RAID 5), 3ware 9650SE-24ML + 13x1.5TB (RAID 5), HP 10GbE PCI-E NIC, 3xGE, 155M ATM, 1792MB GTX295, DLT80, BluRay burner, Dell 3007WFP-HC MacBook Pro 17", 2.6GHz, 5GB RAM, 500GB Momentus 7200.4, 1920x1200 Cisco Powered Network: 2851, 1841, 3750G-24TS-E1U, 2948G-L3, 3550, 2514, AP350, AP1231, 4x7206, 1720, C3508G

5th August 2004, 7:35 AM	#4
neo2_tas Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Devonport, Tas Posts: 174	I'm interested in doing this but I only have the USB cradle, can you give some details on how you modded it to Serial?