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Handhelds Software Hardware Linux

Linux PDA Resurfaces in U.S. 164

Posted by timothy from the that-is-a-sweet-machine dept.
An anonymous reader writes "A high-end Linux-based Sharp Zaurus PDA thought to be discontinued in the US is actually available from two sources. The SL-6000L is available from stock from 10East, a seller of vertical market systems for the railroad industry which has established a direct manufacturing relationship with Sharp Japan, it says. The Wi-Fi equipped SL-6000L is also available in single quantities from SDG Systems, which, incidentally, is porting Linux to several PDAs that normally run Windows, including the super-rugged TDS Recon."
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Linux PDA Resurfaces in U.S. More

Linux PDA Resurfaces in U.S.

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  • Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by mfh ( 56 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:29PM (#12428528) Homepage Journal
    I won't buy one -- because it's discontinued. (support is important, or we'd still have TI/994As running Parsec between meetings)

    Next story.

    • Option 3? (Score:4, Insightful)

      by Erris ( 531066 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @02:50AM (#12429448) Homepage Journal
      Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance?

      How about innovative company using available hardware and software to meet customer needs?

      I won't buy one -- because it's discontinued. (support is important, or we'd still have TI/994As running Parsec between meetings)

      Support for a $250 pocket gadget? What's that? Why do you need it?

      I don't get your negative attitude. My personal needs are satisfied by an original handspring visor. A Zaurus 5500 is lots of fun, especially with the release of OZ GPE 3.5.3. It is indeed a near laptop replacement and beats the hell out of any silly Wince or Pocket Peeee Ceeee. A 5600 or 6000 would rock.

    • There is plenty of support.

      http://www.elsix.org/ [elsix.org]
      http://www.oesf.org/ [oesf.org]

      Support doesn't always have to come directly from a company.
      • Support doesn't always have to come directly from a company.

        Word. As the owner of a Zaurus SL-5500 that still serves as a wonderful portable computer and has much greater capabilities than it did out of the box, I'd say that there is much more support for something open like this than one that a company "officially" supports. (OpenZaurus 3.5.2 annihilates the Sharp ROMS)

        I had one of the first WinCE devices by Compaq and although they did have a rom chip upgrade to get it to WinCE v2, that device had a

  • Wow (Score:4, Funny)

    by Neil Blender ( 555885 ) <neilblender@gmail.com> on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:29PM (#12428531)
    It's like finding a species thought to be extinct! Seriously.
  • Tux at my fingertips!
    • You've been able to get Tux at your fingertips for years at dynamism.com. They've consistently offered various Zaurus models throughout the years.

  • I want it on my ipaQ (Score:4, Interesting)

    by apg88 ( 857318 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:33PM (#12428555) Homepage
    We need more linux PDA's period. I still want linux on my ipaQ 4350 I wonder how much I can do with 400MHz processor and wifi. My main problem is that the integrated keyboard isnt supported.
    • If you want a 400 MHz processor and linux, try out one of the Zaurus C Series. My Zaurus C860 has a 400Mhz processor and an integrated keyboard. It also has the screen that swivels to either be a vertical PDA, or a normal horizontal one.

  • Yes but... (Score:4, Funny)

    by Mad Merlin ( 837387 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:33PM (#12428557) Homepage
    Does it run Linux? ...oh wait

  • SL5500 owner response (Score:5, Informative)

    by dink353 ( 747249 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:39PM (#12428592) Homepage
    I own a Zaurus 5500 and have used a 5600, and judging from my use of these two systems, I would not recomend doing much with these PDA's if you want to add much software that does not come with it.

    I was overjoyed with the prospect of linux on a PDA and got it, and the build in keypad seemed to be a great asset. Compact flash AND SD card slots made me think that this little thing was a diamond in the rough. But it went downhill. They keypad would sometimes malfunction and require a reboot to get it to work again, package finding for the zaurus is a nightmare, and don't bother trying to find a belt holster for it without getting one custom made.

    They are great using for little apointment scheduling, wireless lan sniffing, network diagnosis (what I do with it) and playing the odd game of destroyer, but really, if you are thinking about the wonderful linux stability and versitility, you may have to think again.
    • Will it play Nethack?

      Nethack Game [nethack.org]
      • Yes! Check the Zaurus Software Index [killefiz.de] for all you Zaurus needs...I've owned three of these and have loved them all...

        You can run Kismet, play nethack, even run servers like apache, etc. I VNC into mine from my laptop, making data entry a snap. Even when no other connections are available, wireless adhoc works great.

        It is pricy though...not for the frugal. They even have X windows on it, an entirely free ROM (called OpenZaurus), and a version of Konqueror for it. Bochs, SNES9X, and other emulators w

    • Parent is not informative (Score:5, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @12:08AM (#12428748)
      Not true, my friend. The Zaurus PDAs are some of the most flexible PDAs out there today, with a wide variety of software, with everything from SNES emulators to FTP servers. You won't get very far with the default software, however. I recommend installing something like OPIE or Watapon for the 5600. Some of the software is very mature. I hope to see more Linux PDAs in the States. They are all about customization.

      If you're looking for a start, try the OE forums [oesf.org]. After you get a new OS image on there, you will probably be much more satisfied.
      • Great info.

        What really gets my interest, is that this thing could run my web server no problem.

        Currently, I'm using a P200 under 200Mb ram.

        My Server [kevindawson.ca]
      • Agreed. You can have your choice of several polished ROMs (think Distributions), I use Cacko on my 860. It's a close cousin to the Sharp ROM with several improvements. They recently had a new version pushed out the door.

        Or you can run pdaXrom, it runs a native version of X so almost any linux program can be cross-compiled for it. They are working on their latest RC (currently version 1.1.0 rc9).

        Or you can try Open Zaurus, they just came out with version 3.5.3, many new features, very, very, slick. (I'll b

    • Belt Holster (Score:3, Interesting)

      by Lexicon ( 21437 )
      Targus has a model that fits the Zaurus excellently, is available in most stores, and is quite inexpensive.

      http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=C HUS01 [targus.com]

      It even has a little sleeve inside for your wifi or other accesory card.
    • I have to agree with this. I have an SL-5000 and was happy with it at first. I then started noticing things about it that I didn't like. My biggest gripe were with applications. When I was using mine, I had most of the TKC apps to replace the stock sharp ones. The TKC apps were for the most part pretty good, but I got tired of the customer service I saw om the mailing lists by the prez of TKC. There were FOUR PDA database formats for the Zaurus. There may be more now. One of the great things about Palm is
      • When I was using mine, I had most of the TKC apps to replace the stock sharp ones.

        One thing I've leared in my years as a Zaurus owner: TKC apps are HUGELY proprietary. And the support sucks.

        But, take a look at some of the OSS stuff out there available for the Zaurus, namely kdepimpi, portabase and kino2. The beat builtin and TKC. And they're fully documented. They work with all Zaurus models, too.

    • Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:5, Informative)

      by Erris ( 531066 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @03:16AM (#12429549) Homepage Journal
      I would not recomend doing much with these PDAs if you want to add much software that does not come with it.

      I'm not sure what that means, but Open Zaurus [openzaurus.org] has more software than you can shake a stick at. About three weeks ago, they released 3.5.3, the second release using Bit Bake. Even GPE works well now, though Opie is better developed.

      if you are thinking about the wonderful linux stability and versitility, you may have to think again.

      Some of the commercial software that comes with Zaurus may not be the best. As a Debian user, crashes are a shock. OZ, when things are working, does much better. I can say for sure that 3.5.3 is working. If your choice of three platforms, the ability to compile your own applications, multiple input and output and linux fs and mount flexibility is not good enough for you, I'd like to know what you consider better. Do you know of any other PDA you can ssh into and export X sessions?

      The company offering these is obviously a solution provider. They have picked a good tool for the job.

      Sure, nothing works for everone. The "average user" may not need this but that's because they don't need a PDA. The average corporate drone and my wife are happy with Palm. That and the utter uslessness of Winblows based PDAs are why PDA sales are down in the dirt. Those who lug around an eight pound laptop simply to text message, web browse, email, text edit and spreedsheet, would do well with one of these.

    • Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Lumpy ( 12016 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @06:21AM (#12430132) Homepage
      My experience is the exact opposite.

      I have a 5500 and a 5600 and it's more productive than any other PDA. all the regular PDA functions are there as well as the ability to open and edit most any Office document Hell I ran my last power point presentation from my SL5600 and the NTSC output pcmcia card that is compatable. I am able to run most palm apps in the palm emulator and with the 5600's processor it feels like the apps are running on a IIIvx which satisfies my need tfor a couple of vertical apps we have here. There is a crapload of software available, most of it is free, but some of it commercial and I have bought a couple.

      Personally I'm going to have one of the newest Zaurus PDA's running linux imported for me. the clamshell design coupled with a micro hard drive and linux makes it something that is insanely cool.

      Sharp stopped selling their linux based pda's here in the USA because of dismal sales, yet they sell very well in Japan.

      I have went through several Sony Clies and HP journadas, all of them were sub par compared to the Zaurus hardware and software wise.

      but then, I am NOT your typical PDA user. I look to have my PDA act as a wearable computer, a repository of all important information I need. The closest non Zaurus PDA that was able to do that was the Sony Clie NX80, Their top of the line powerhouse that cost almost $700.00 new. almost all it's paint rubbed off within 30 days and the swivel screen was extremely weak in 60 days.

      BTW, belt cases for the Zaurus are easy to find. I was able to use the leather and the cordoura ones for my NX80 prefectly, and compusa had several that also fit well.

    • While the 5600 does have its quirks, I have an 860 and I have no problems with it. Plenty of software is available at http://www.elsix.org/ [elsix.org] (actually, I believe we're up to 1800 pieces of software now) if you don't have enough.

      You can run your Zaurus like any other PDA, or if you want install http://www.pdaxrom.org/ [pdaxrom.org] and you have a full linux setup with Matchbox.

      The Zaurus is definately harder to pick up and figure out than the average PDA, but the benefits are well worth it.
    • ...and don't bother trying to find a belt holster for it without getting one custom made.

      That is likely a blessing. The sentence should read: and don't bother trying to find a belt holster for it if you ever want to have sex.

  • OpenBSD Zaurus port (Score:5, Informative)

    by west.to.east ( 867173 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:40PM (#12428596)
    also making progress [openbsd.com]

  • Once bitten (Score:5, Interesting)

    by kuzb ( 724081 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:40PM (#12428597)
    ...twice shy

    I love the idea of the sharp zaurus, but the problem I find with them is the lack of support for key things.

    A while ago I bought a SL-5500 just to find out that Sharp wasn't going to support it as soon as the 6000 series came out. This irks me because it's still a decent PDA, but I can't get any real upgrades for it now. In essence, I'm stuck running sharp's horribly outdated rom, or one of the openzaurus roms which are habitually buggy, and don't get updated very often.

    Another issue I have with sharp is while they're all about Linux on the PDA, they don't seem interested in writing software to sync the PDA with a Linux workstation. This doesn't make any sense to me at all, since the majority of people who would buy a PDA like this probably run Linux or Unix.

    Anyhow, Sharp already got $600 CAD out of me once, I don't know if I'll be willing to go through it again.

    • Re:Once bitten (Score:2, Interesting)

      by Neil Blender ( 555885 )
      Another issue I have with sharp is while they're all about Linux on the PDA, they don't seem interested in writing software to sync the PDA with a Linux workstation.

      Say, what is the state of syncing software for linux these days? I still use JPilot. Is there anything better? Course, I haven't upgraded JPilot in three years so maybe it has more features.
      • Leeloo Dallas mul-ti-sync [sourceforge.net]. :)

        • Re:Once bitten (Score:3, Interesting)

          by NineNine ( 235196 )
          I gotta thank you for that link. Seriously. I, just for fun, checked out the link about "Nokia 6600 syncing". Figure it'd say "install this, and click "Synchronize". On the contrary, I found the most convoluted, difficult, insanely ridiculous instructions I've ever found for any computer-related hobby/fetish, considering that there were levels upon levels upon levels of complication. I had no idea how much brainpower is wasted on pointless hobbies like this. Wow.

    • Re:Once bitten (Score:3, Informative)

      by davidkv ( 302725 )
      OpenZaurus [openzaurus.org] just released version 3.5.3. I'm running it on my SL-6000L and I'm quite happy with it. Compared to the original ROM, it's a heaven of flexibility.
    • The openzaurus rom may be habitually buggy, but resolution of 90% of the bugs is handled on the mailing list within days of a release - and then those same bugs are continuously handled again on the list until about 2 months after the next release, by which time any new bugs have since been dealt with and gone into syndication.

      How often do you need your PDA updated? You don't need a new release to get new versions of things - a nd for that matter, the reason they weren't updating is because they changed t

  • Will their supply be slashdotted? (Score:5, Funny)

    by dinojemr ( 261460 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:40PM (#12428598) Journal
    The article says that 10East currently has about 1,500 SL-6000Ls in stock, of which 300 and 400 are currently unallocated. It orders about 300 each month, in order to keep reserve stocks on hand.
    This amount seems a little low, especially if this slashdot post causes many people to buy them. If slashdotters bought all the ones in stock, would it be the first instance of slashdotting a store? Or have there been others in the past?
    • The Cuecat [wikipedia.org] bar code reader disappeared quickly from radio shacks (they were free) in major markets after the first couple of stories on /. about how they could be hacked into more useful bar code readers.
    • If slashdotters bought all the ones in stock, would it be the first instance of slashdotting a store? Or have there been others in the past?

      You must be new here. Remember this, or this?

      n00b

      We've slashdotted websites, hardware manufacturers, software publishers and probably a few small to medium sized governments.

      LK

  • Related rant: Updated 200LX? Anyone? Anyone? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by xtal ( 49134 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:41PM (#12428600)
    What I'd really like is an updated HP100LX or 200LX. I wore mine out. It was the perfect PDA; 2AA batteries, ran DOS (5? 3? forget), you could get Borland Turbo C++ to run on it no problem. Lotus 1-2-3 was in ROM. Even had a seperate numeric keypad, so it was actually useful as a calculator, too.

    One of my favorite memories of this calculator was using the wonderful symbolic math package, Derive! in my engineering classes - While the prof was sketching out crude appoximations, I could fire up and get a really nice picture. Symbolic step-by-step reductions were handy for checking homework too.

    Had a real keyboard with the beautiful HP signature tactile response. Grey transflective screen didn't need a backlight. I hacked an LED to run off the serial port on mine for night use.

    It would be very interesting to see what could be put in the same forum factor and weight these days. I really miss the clamshell design with a real keyboard.

    This was "kinda" the form factor that the first WinCE devices had, but they were much bigger and heavier, and worst of all, they only ran WinCE which made them more or less useless for any real work. None had seperate numeric keypads that would make them useful for engineering and scientific work.

    A pox on those short-sighted MBA's at HP who ruined a real gem of engineering and turned it into a fond memory.

    Saddest of all; my hp48 is starting to die, and the palm T3 emulation is nice, but not the same.
    • I was similarly enchanted by Psion handhelds (I have had Psion 3 and Revo). Great keyboard, superb battery lifetime, fast apps in ROM. Absolutely the world's best calendaring software... Not many third party apps, though.

      Well, my Psion Revo finally died, so I bought Zaurus CL-760 directly from Japan (Zaurus 7XX series has a keyboard, unlike 5XXX or 6XXX series). As a Linux geek I'm happy with it, although in some regards Psions still take the lead.

      And no, I haven't run the Sharp supplied ROM in ages, the

  • ..and in other news (Score:2, Funny)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Dinosaurs, once thought to be exitinct, are found in new location here: http://www.jurassicpark.com/ [jurassicpark.com]

    Oh wait.....

  • Why Linux? (Score:4, Interesting)

    by oGMo ( 379 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:43PM (#12428609)
    This is why: pdaXrom [pdaxrom.org]
  • Newsflash: Retailer slashdoted in real life as geeks run to their nearest store!
  • can I run ssh telnet on any of these devices ?

  • This is the American way! (Score:3, Interesting)

    by rice_burners_suck ( 243660 ) on Tuesday May 03, 2005 @11:56PM (#12428683)
    I'm glad this thing is available again. A couple of years ago, I really wanted to get one, but I couldn't find it anywhere. I ended up buying a Sony Clie, but I don't really like the OS and the software. Besides the coolness factor, I would like to hack on this thing and come up with specific business solutions for one of my manufacturing customers who expressed interest in such things a few years ago.

    By leveraging innovative technologies, content providers streamline compelling enterprise solutions.


  • The SDG Systems [sdgsystems.com] product page.

    The manuals [sharpusa.com] (pdf).

  • How about a HD-equipped PDA? (Score:5, Informative)

    by wikinerd ( 809585 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @01:19AM (#12429087) Journal
    Tiny 300-gram Qtopia Linux-based PDAs with 4GB HDD, 416MHz CPU, 65K-colour 640x480 screen, mini QWERTY keyboard, CF/SD/USB/IrDA and what-else are commonplace in Japan but you can buy them for 800 Euro in North America and Europe if you click here [dynamism.com] or here [trisoft.de] or here [handheld-linux.com], and their interface is even translated in English. If you feel like installing your own Linux distribution on this PDA, click here [openzaurus.org]. But you can also install OpenBSD on it, as you can see if you click here [openbsd.org].

  • Updated Qtopia roms for sl6000 (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Capt. Beyond ( 179592 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @01:23AM (#12429099)
    Roms based on openzaurus with an updated qtopia-2.1.1, that will sync with Linux, Mac OSX and Windows are available for the sl6000, as well as other Zaurus including the a300, from Trolltech's [trolltech.com] new Qtopia Community web site:
    http://www.qtopia.net [qtopia.net]

  • If you can't get it,... (Score:3, Informative)

    by wertarbyte ( 811674 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @01:45AM (#12429195) Homepage
    ...just run linux on another PDA, e.g. an iPAQ. I'm running the Familiar Distribution (http://familiar.handhelds.org/ [handhelds.org]) on my 5450, and it's great. Although I still have to decide which UI is better, GPE [handhelds.org] or Opie [handhelds.org], since the storage space is only enough for one of them. But well, it wouldn't be Linux if you do not have a choice, I guess it's vi vs. emacs, gnome vs. kde all over again, and it all now happens inside your shirt pocket :-)

  • I'm posting from a 6000L! (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Money for Nothin' ( 754763 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @01:50AM (#12429209)
    I'm quite happy with mine. I'm pecking out this post in Opera at 480x640 while listening to MP3s streamed from my server via an SMB share from a different floor in my house.

    Got it in Oct 2004 when Amazon had them on deep-discount. I'm still happy with my purchase.

    Still, a few gripes:

    * no decent RSS reader
    * included media player only supports MP3/WAV/AVI/MPG2; no OGG or MOD/S3M/XM/IT or DivX support. It also only reads from hardcoded dir paths (on the CF, SD, and int. flash) -- it won't read from USB drives (with the Z's USB host), mounted SMB shares, etc. I use a Python + ncurses app called "cplay" for this...
    * 802.11b radio could be stronger (the Z only draws 5W though, so you expect a tradeoff)
    * use these PIM apps [pi-sync.net] instead of Sharp's; they're *MUCH* better
    * IIRC, the 2D hardware accel is disabled by default, meaning redraws can be slow (somebody is working on this though); this means video is usually choppy and emulated games - even the NES emu (fceu) - are intolerable
    * it's relatively-large for a PDA
    * pkg management could be better

    Positives include:
    * decent Word/Excel apps
    * wi-fi works stably and fast overall
    * stable OS
    * Kismet works very well
    * displays PDFs faster than my 2.4GHz laptop
    * Opera is awesome on this thing...

    Overall, it's great for traveling with as a laptop replacement. Good for light surfing, wardriving, reading books, listening to MP3s, etc.. It's true that if you think of it as "a Linux box in your hands", rather than a mere PDA, you'll understand the 6000L'z usefulness much easier. Despite the above annoyances, I love mine and really do use it every day... I replaced my Handspring Visor because of its very limited functionality and haven't missed it since...

  • some detailed reviews (Score:4, Informative)

    by krunk4ever ( 856261 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @02:28AM (#12429356) Homepage
    did a search on google and found these reviews:

    Sharp's Zaurus SL-6000L: A Free Software PDA [macdevcenter.com]
    Zaurus with VGA Screen, Wi-Fi Now Available in U.S. [brighthand.com]
    Sharp Zaurus SL-6000L Linux PDA [mobiletechreview.com]
    Review of Sharp Zaurus SL-6000 [bargainpda.com]
    Sharp Zaurus SL-6000L Review [gizmodo.com]

    ------------------------
    here are all the reviews [amazon.com] from customers on amazon.com.

  • better sources for zaurii (Score:4, Interesting)

    by raduga ( 216742 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @02:35AM (#12429390)
    While the SL-6000 is in fact the last model made for sale in the US, it's not the most recent model, nor arguably the best.

    The folding clamshell zauruses, while somewhat awkward as a pda/pim have much better keyboards, and are much more usable as mini-pc. Only problem is: they're Japanese- so change the locale, or buy from a US reseller that will change it for you.

    Your best bets are:

    • Price Japan [pricejapan.com]
      Cheapest prices for new Zaurus. Based in Japan. Minimal service.
    • Streamline CPUs [streamlinecpus.com]
      Decent prices, based in US.
    • Trisoft [trisoft.de]
      Major importer/reseller in Deutscheland/EU
    • Dynamism [dynamism.com]
      Most established US importer/retailer. Not cheap, but excellent service.
    • Conics [conics.net]
      Excellent prices, new and used, but hasn't been responsive recently. Japan based.
  • We (the http://pdaxrom.org/ [pdaxrom.org] team) are in final testing of the pdaXrom support for the SL6000L - everything is working 90% (only a few apm problems and configuration utils are broken).

  • Who cares about the OS? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Mr_Silver ( 213637 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @05:50AM (#12430027)
    Really, apart from geeks, who cares about the OS?

    Last time I checked people have a definitive list of what they want a PDA to do. As far as they're concerned, it doesn't matter if it's written in Cobol and runs on the same chip as the ZX81 as long as it does what they want. Often this is:

    • Syncs nicely with Outlook
    • Calendar, contacts, notes and tasks
    • Alarms, reminders
    • Logical UI
    • Ability to see what they have to do soon/today on one screen
    • Small, light, good looking, nice screen, long battery life
    • Plenty of applications - preferably free (as in at no-cost)
    Having Linux on a PDA isn't a big seller to many. We have Linux on phones and people still say "so what?". The magical cost savings that Linux supposidly gives aren't passed onto the customer - at the end of the day, its what runs on top of the OS and what features and functionality it has, not what the OS is.

  • People, it's Debian you want to run on this! (Score:4, Informative)

    by kcurrie ( 4116 ) on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @06:12AM (#12430106)
    Everbodies's complaining about lack of software, etc, etc. Folks, you can run a full install of Debian on even a 5500 (which is what I have). I run firefox, thunderbird and just about any other app I want as they're all available from the Debian arm archive! I went into a big rant on /. once about it, got so much email about it I put it up on a web page. Anyway, a karma-whoring I go, see here:
    http://undertow.2y.net/zaurus/ [2y.net]

    On my page you'll find cool stuff like my (unmaintained) SLapASS program (wireless app that uses kismet to sniff out networks and then associate with 'em, among other things), an ext3 driver I compiled after getting sick of long fsck's on my 1GB SD card, and I've compiled the great passive OS fingerprinting app "p0f" for the arm platforms and made it available there as well.

    Anyway, enjoy crushing my web server :-)

  • Zaurus Community (Score:3, Insightful)

    by dangerz ( 540904 ) <<ten.soidutsadlit> <ta> <ffuts>> on Wednesday May 04, 2005 @06:39AM (#12430190) Homepage
    Support is far from extinct. I help run http://www.oesf.org/ [oesf.org] and I designed http://www.elsix.org/ [elsix.org] . We have plenty of support for these devices right on those sites, including tons of free software.

    Check us out; we're always welcoming new people to our little community :)
  • Auburn University uses Zaurus in its Wireless Engineering program. I see students walking all over the place working on their applications on them.

    This made me happy, since I am a long time owner of the SL-5500, and I haven't had a problem with mine. I almost bought the SL-5000, but luckily I was able to pre-order the SL-5500 and waited patiently for its release.

    War Eagle!

  • Now if Apple had put it out in a shiny white case with a big red slash through a microsoft logo, that would be the ./ trinity!

  • It is the hardware manufacturers fault!

    This is why the PDA market is struggling to gain any sort of foothold in corporate America.

    10east decides to go with a "linux" solution for the new push towards the "mobile workforce" inititives in
    the railroad industry. (A big push and a big market).

    Much time and money is spent in developing the software for these "Specialized" devices.

    Software and Hardware is rolled out -- everyone is happy.

    Hardware company stops providing and supporting devices in the American
  • Linux PDA Resurfaces in U.S.

    I lost my Zaurus about 2 months ago. When I read the title, I was really hoping you had found my missing $350 handheld. Doh!

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