



Linux PDA Resurfaces in U.S. 164
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."
Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:3, Insightful)
Next story.
Option 3? (Score:4, Insightful)
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.
Re:Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.elsix.org/ [elsix.org]
http://www.oesf.org/ [oesf.org]
Support doesn't always have to come directly from a company.
Re:Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:2)
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
Re:Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:2, Offtopic)
And that pretty much sums up the reason I campaigned [slashdot.org] against mfh and others.
Another person bought the account.
Unfortunately, the ebay auction is gone now, since it was a while ago. Slashdot UID level is not a valid reason to mod up or down. For better or worse, I don't care anymore. If anything, I'm more interested in what the current owner of mfh has to say. For me, my foes get +1 when I read slashdot, since they've gotten my
Re:Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:2)
Re:Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:2, Funny)
Take it from someone with a UID one tenth yours - low UIDs are meaningless.
As someone with a UID 1/10 of yours, I have to agree; all it means is that I got here before you. Every now and again I notice the UID but it is never something I go out and seek.
(having said that, I wonder if user 150 and then user 15 will reply, this is kind of an interesting thread :-)
Re:Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:2)
Re:Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:2)
What? I could pay for my retirement with my (somewhat less impressive) four-digit UID? It's even got a 'comedic' username for some reason I've long since forgotten. Plus Excellent karma and everything.
So, starting bids at 20 pence...
Just a reminder... (Score:2, Funny)
Such a travesty -- what they've done to such a cool series of, mostly, books.
Re:Ad for Disconinued Models or Clearance? (Score:3, Funny)
Wow (Score:4, Funny)
Finally! (Score:1)
Re:Finally! (Score:2)
I want it on my ipaQ (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:I want it on my ipaQ (Score:2)
Yes but... (Score:4, Funny)
SL5500 owner response (Score:5, Informative)
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.
Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:5, Funny)
Nethack Game [nethack.org]
Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:3, Interesting)
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
Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:2, Informative)
http://search3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/search/auc? p=SL-6000&auccat=23336 [yahoo.co.jp]
Parent is not informative (Score:5, Informative)
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.
Re:Parent is not informative (Score:2)
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]
Re:Parent is not informative Mod Up! (Score:2, Interesting)
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
Re:Parent is not informative (Score:2)
The keypad would sometimes malfunction and require a reboot to get it to work again
He's saying that the hardware isn't very good."
Damn, if I'd known you could fix faulty hardware with a reboot I could have saved a fortune.
Belt Holster (Score:3, Interesting)
http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=
It even has a little sleeve inside for your wifi or other accesory card.
Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:3, Informative)
Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:2)
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)
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:2)
A
Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:2)
I have an SL5500 and symlinked the
SD is wierd. (Score:2)
My SD acts weird, but I thought that was because of some kind of crummy DRM, the "secure" in Secure Digital. Yep, that's the problem [wikipedia.org]. In any case, I make use of the gadget with a pc card adaptor. Cfdisk did not work, but fdisk did and I've had no data problems yet. With DRM built i
Re:SD is wierd. (Score:2)
Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:4, Interesting)
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.
SL5600 and C860 Owner Response (Score:2)
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.
Re:SL5500 owner response (Score:2)
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)
Once bitten (Score:5, Interesting)
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)
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.
Re:Once bitten (Score:2)
Re:Once bitten (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Once bitten (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Once bitten (Score:2)
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)
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?
Re:Will their supply be slashdotted? (Score:2)
Re:Will their supply be slashdotted? (Score:2)
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
Re:Will their supply be slashdotted? (Score:2)
Generalizations are dangerous... I currently own an SL-C760 (used as a specialized diagnostic tool with custom engineering software), SL-C860 (general laptop replacement) and I am thinking of getting a SL-C3000... if you combine it with other posters above who also have various Zaurus models, I would say tha
Related rant: Updated 200LX? Anyone? Anyone? (Score:5, Insightful)
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.
Related rant: Updated Psion 3 anyone? (Score:2)
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
Re:Related rant: Updated Psion 3 anyone? (Score:2)
..and in other news (Score:2, Funny)
Oh wait.....
Why Linux? (Score:4, Interesting)
Not any more, countless people read your post!!! (Score:2)
applications and wireless ? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:3, Informative)
I love mine, bought it about a year ago for 400$ off ebay brand new.
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:2)
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:2)
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:2)
What does it have for web client?
Lynx?
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:2)
K-Meleon [sourceforge.net]
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:2)
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:applications and wireless ? (Score:2)
Search for SSH here:
http://www.elsix.org/index.php?w=search [elsix.org]
This is the American way! (Score:3, Interesting)
By leveraging innovative technologies, content providers streamline compelling enterprise solutions.
Re:This is the American way! (Score:2)
And hopefully your customer is smart enough not to buy a solution from you which is built on hardware that is no longer supported?
Some links of interest (Score:2, Informative)
The SDG Systems [sdgsystems.com] product page.
The manuals [sharpusa.com] (pdf).
How about a HD-equipped PDA? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:How about a HD-equipped PDA? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:How about a HD-equipped PDA? (Score:2)
Updated Qtopia roms for sl6000 (Score:5, Interesting)
http://www.qtopia.net [qtopia.net]
If you can't get it,... (Score:3, Informative)
I'm posting from a 6000L! (Score:4, Insightful)
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...
1 more positive... (Score:2)
some detailed reviews (Score:4, Informative)
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)
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:
Cheapest prices for new Zaurus. Based in Japan. Minimal service.
Decent prices, based in US.
Major importer/reseller in Deutscheland/EU
Most established US importer/retailer. Not cheap, but excellent service.
Excellent prices, new and used, but hasn't been responsive recently. Japan based.
Re:better sources for zaurii (Score:2)
pdaXrom for SL6000L (Score:2, Informative)
Who cares about the OS? (Score:5, Insightful)
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:
People, it's Debian you want to run on this! (Score:4, Informative)
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
Amazon?? (Score:2)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00
Zaurus Community (Score:3, Insightful)
Check us out; we're always welcoming new people to our little community
Auburn University uses Zaurus... (Score:2, Interesting)
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!
linux based pda? (Score:2)
My view on things..... (Score:2)
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
You found my Linux PDA? (Score:2)
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!
Re:my views (Score:2)
Interesting to say the least.
That yin yang shows up in all aspects of life, so I guess it's no suprise.
I'll be adding this to my collection.
Balance is so important.
There was a slashdot game at one point if I remember.
You had to whore for karma and face many story rejections.
To funny from anti-slash:
# Old-timer sigs
* Back in my day I had to write games in BASIC, on a 4.7Mhz computer with no hard disk and 128K of RAM. And I was grateful.
This is so me!
save
Re:my views (repost, sorry for the bad formatting) (Score:2)
change mod from Troll to Redundant.
Re:my views (repost, sorry for the bad formatting) (Score:1, Offtopic)
Re:It's obligatory. (Score:1, Redundant)
lol, Mod Parent up!
Cluster... Yes. (Score:2, Interesting)
http://handhelds.org/projects/skiffcluster.html [handhelds.org]
Re:Cluster... Yes. (Score:2)
That is very cool!
Re:gather 'round (Score:2)
I for one would welcome these new overlords.
A PDA that runs Linux, ssh, lynx and even X11 would be excellent if it was stable.
Well here is chance to discuss it and get the ball rolling anyway.
No harm in that.
Re:gather 'round (Score:2)
Re:gather 'round (Score:2)
I'll start with ebay.
Re:gather 'round (Score:2)
Palm running Linux [pdacortex.com]
Not my language by hey cool ntl [mobilnews.cz]
Nice collection of links [tuxmobil.org]
I have the Palm T3 and would love to convert the ROM to Linux.
Re:gather 'round (Score:3, Insightful)
...and dance! (Score:2)
--LWM
Re:VGA res Linux on a handheld? (Score:2)
The book (something like) how to do everything with your Ipaq... mentions PCMCIA cards for VGA output, but I know there are models (possibly not ipa
All your eMate... (Score:2)
I hope I'm not going to regret putting this link on