Familiar Distribution for iPAQ Handhelds

Russ Nelson writes "The Handhelds.org project has released Familiar 0.7.2, a Linux-based firmware replacement for HP iPAQ handhelds. New to this release is support for the h5400 and h5500, which have built-in wlan interfaces. Both GPE (gtk/X) and Opie (Qt) are at or past version 1.0, and we now have a Python-gtk distribution called 'pypaq'. Why waste that commute time playing Tetris when you could be hacking on Python code?"

Why?

[DaFrog]

The majority of folks who buy an iPaq (me included) do it in order to have a portable version of their main PIM database (i.e., Outlook) - I do not see the advantage... I truly believe that we should stick with pretty-GUI stuff for the desk/palmtop (i.e., Windows) and use the stable stuff (i.e., *nix) in the back end. Just my views...

Re:Why?

[Chess_the_cat]

Why shouldn't I have my cake and eat it too?

A common misquote. It should read: "...eat my cake and have it too." Anyone can have their cake and eat it. But it's wishful thinking to be able to eat it and yet still have it. What you have written is meaningless. The word ordering is essential.

Ipaqs are good gadgets

[DrSkwid]

The linux loader also supports plan9 [bell-labs.com] and Inferno [vitanuova.com]

So why watse your life with Linux when you can use professional software.

oh, and inferno comes with tetris too

Re:still paying the m$ tax

[Type-R]

buy a Sharp Zaurus

Re:Update

[robjs]

Updating to Familiar is a fairly simple process, if you visit the Faniliar Install Guide page at handhelds.org [handhelds.org] you can see that it's all very well documentated.

The installation takes the form of installing a bootstrap program from WinCE, this is documented as something really scary, but it isn't. You just need to read the instructions and follow them carefully. It's true that it could break your handheld, but there are a lot of safety nets built in. As for getting the actual distro on there, you place your iPaq in its cradle, select the install from serial link on the bootloader, you can then connect using minicom, or Hyperterminal if you're a Windows user. You send the required files through the serial link using ymodem (it takes about 20 minutes), the iPaq reboots, you calibrate the touchscreen and you're done. It's really very impressive!

I've got an iPaq 3630 with Buffalo Compact Flash Wireless card, I love it (although I've not used it for a while). The flexibility of having Linux on your handheld means that you can have something that already has the functionality of a laptop, just in smaller means, it's also really useful for wireless testing.

Re:Why?

[djradon]

Actually, it is easy to sync Opie with Outlook, see the OpieSyncing wiki [handhelds.org] for details, but basically you just need Sharp's Intellisync [zaurus.com], which works great for me.

And to answer "Why?" -- I can use unison to synch a mobile subset of my files with my handheld. I can run Samba on my ipaq to browse through its real filesystem. PocketPC's filesystem is essentially inaccessible without going through ActiveSync, which is horrible.

Python has been there for nearly three years!

[Palin]

Python has been available in Familiar, and before that in the Compaq Linux for the iPAQ since I packaged it up nearly 3 years ago.

Mailing List Archive Link [handhelds.org]

Re:still paying the m$ tax

[Russ Nelson]

It's more expensive for HP to create another product with Linux pre-installed than to pay the M$ tax. Yes, I know that you'd be willing to pay that extra money -- you and twenty of your best friends. That doesn't make a market.

When it makes economic sense for HP to create a Linux handhelds product, they will. Boycotting the current product DOES NOT HELP.
-russ

Re:Why?

[EvilAlien]

You can sync all your PIM apps with Evolution thanks to Multisync [sourceforge.net]. It works fairly well, and I was quite happy with my H3600, Familiar and Opie.. until today when I tried to upgrade to 0.7.2. Now my iPaq is dead and will probably need to be reflashed. Joy.

Re:Does it have MMC/SD support?

[Sunda666]

MMC and SD work on the 38xx (sa-based) out of the box.
Support for the newer models (pxa-based) is on the way I think.

cheers.