***Official*** Sharp Zaurus Handheld Thread!

[robisc]

Still testing mine and trying to make the decision whether or not this will take the place of my Pocket PC, so far the must have apps aren't available or at least not for free that I have found, they are:

Avantgo
Dictionary
Memo pad (I want to take handwritten notes right on the screen)
Bible reader

 

[nacs]

I've found Plucker to be a good alternative to Avantgo (offline browser).

There's a dictionary (more than one actually--there is one offline version and an 'edict' that retrieves the definititions over the net) available on the docs.zaurus.com software feed.

I've found IQnotes to be an excellent memopad tool. It lets you make text and drawing notes and let's you organize it into a tree structure (if you want). There's also "drawpad" or "Sketches of Q" that are also pretty good.

The bible reader is also available on the docs.zaurus.com feed.

But of course, the decision to switch to pocketPC/palm all depends on what kind of user you are. I personally love the Zaurus being a tech-toy geek and love how flexible and powerful it is (like installing Apache(the most popular webserver)/PHP/mysql(full size database server) for web development testing or Zgcc (a gcc compiler port) for programming C++ right on the PDA(!), writing bash scripts to automate tasks, being able to SSH (remote console login) to other machines on a network or SSHing to the Zaurus itself from a desktop). But of course, not everyone needs to do this much on a PDA.

 

[alkemyst]

I have a Zaurus cable I don't need (got it in a box of computer stuff from a lady whose cleaning out her house).

The part number is CE-133T and it looks like parallel on one end and proprietary locking with push buttons on the other.

The description is RS-232C Level Convertor.

$5.50 shipped priority (basically cost of shipping).

Chris

 

[Kevin]

I'd like to upgrade to OpenZaurus but I don't have a CompactFlash card. I ordered an SD card instead since I'd like to keep my wireless adaptor in teh CF slot most of the time. They should really find some way to get the SD flash to work...

 

[figgypower]

Originally posted by: creegah
Hi Figgypower,

Sorry, my last post came out blank because I treied to login and post on the same page!! Apparently that's a no no.

The Myzaurus.com web site talks about your problem with removing the Zaurus from the cradle and says:

"Why do I receive an "Unsafe Removal of Device" message when I remove the Zaurus from the docking station or turn it off?
This message only occurs with Windows® 2000 Professional and will not damage your PC or the connection to the docking station. Clicking on the OK button will not result in loss of data on the Zaurus or on the PC. To avoid this message, click on the "Unplug or Eject Hardware" icon on the task bar to stop the SL Series (NDIS 5) prior to removal from the docking station."

HTH

Oh man... I have to just live with it?! Btw, has anyone used OPIE? Any opinions? I'm really thinking of jumping into OZ 3.2 + OPIE. Thanks for the answers!

For an AvantGo alternative, check out Mazingo.

 

[nacs]

I mentioned this above but I'm loving OZ 3.2. It looks better, runs better, has all kinds of features that the Sharp ROM doesn't. I'd recommend that you try it.

 

[creegah]

Can anyone take me step by step through how to get Doom to run on the zaurus? I installed PBoom and the Doom demo ipks but when I click on the lovely Doom icon under games the hourglass goes for awhile but nothing happens.

Do I have to run it from a command prompt? All I know is DOS so the Linux command prompt is a little scary...can someone help?

Thanks,
Creegah

 

[robisc]

nacs thanks for the info re. docs.zaurus.com, but when I go to ZaurusZone Feed at the bottom of the page, (I'm assuming this is where you get the software) and according to the instructions "when I Click install packages via networks" I'm guessing I will need to have the Zaurus networked and not just syncing with my desktop in order to get these files huh?

 

[nacs]

You don't have to run it from console creegah. You just need to install the (3) libSDL packages. I believe they're called, libSDL, libSDL-mixer, and libSDL-net.

 

[nacs]

I had just wrote the post for creegah and hit post when I saw your new post pop up robisc. Some fast posters here.

You can install software from "feeds" in two ways. You can either install it directly from your Z by adding the feed to the package manager (but you have to make sure it has internet access of course) or you can install it through the Qtopia Desktop program. To add a feed, goto File>Settings>Software Packages>New. Then add the feed info--in the case of the docs.zaurus.com feed, you would type in any name you want (like docs.zaurus) then in the URL feed, enter http://docs.zaurus.com/feed

Hit OK to save and then goto the "Software Packages" tab in the main Qtopia desktop program to see the list of packages available from docs.zaurus.com. You can then install from there directly on to the Zaurus.

 

[robisc]

right now I sync with outlook but I will load the qtopia and then try the software, thanks.

 

[creegah]

Thanks a million, nacs! That worked!

BTW, JustReader allows you to rotate the text and also justifies the text so you don't have to scroll...for anybody who's interested.....

 

[creegah]

Okay, ONE more question about Doom. I downloaded a wad file and installed it to the same directory as the demo wad file but how to I access it when I start Doom. The demo seems to run automatically when I click on the icon in the games section...how to switch to another available wad??

Thanks in advance.

 

[robisc]

nacs, I installed Qtopia and when I do as you said " To add a feed, goto File>Settings>Software Packages>New. Then add the feed info" when I click file.settings I get no option for a new software package, any ideas?

 

[nacs]

Are you running the latest version of Qtopia desktop (version 1.6)? If not then you need to upgrade. It's a free download from trolltech.

 

[Kevin]

Just a heads up guys, I ordered a set of iConcepts PDA Screen Proectors designed for the Zaurus from Amazon, and they aren't big enought to fill the entire screen. I'm going to try and contact the company and see why but for now I'd stay away from them.

Interestingly enought, the package clearing states for use with the Sharp Zaurus 5500 series, and that is exactly what we have...

 

[creegah]

Robisc,

I just got a feed to work for the first time...the thing I was doing wrong at first was you have to specifically click on the name you gave the feed, e.g., "docs.zaurus" before you click the "okay". Then there is a pause before the items from the server appear in the window.

HTH

 

[halik]

any deals on cf 802.11b cards?

 

[Rufio]

hey has anyone ordered any nushields for this thing?

also, the only "cooL' case I see for this is the piel frama case.....

what is everyone else using?

 

[Rufio]

updated the main post w/links from some very helpful and cool zaurus owners!

also,
what are your MUST HAVE applications for the Zaurus?

 

[Rufio]

ok i installed OpenZaurus, but there are lots of apps that i am missing, like an email app and a internet explorer type app.

what can i do to get these things back?

 

[figgypower]

Hm... Qtopia or Intellisync? What're your opinions? As for getting back the apps, you have to "rip" them from the default Zaurus OS and software package with some scripts. Some of the apps, like the Hancom Suite, can actually be downloaded; Hancom from the Hancom web site for free as long as you can provide your Zaurus serial number. I'm going to try to post a more intelligible post about this tomorrow with step by step instructions, unless nacs or anyone else beats me to it. As for must have applications... can we say Doom!? You can even use your own full version ".wad" files. Also, opie-player or the tkcPlayer is an improvement over the default Zaurus media player. Finally, what does everyone recommend for a nice paint-type or image editing program for the Zaurus?

 

[nacs]

I haven't tried Intellisync as Qtopia Desktop works well for me.

As figgypower said, you have to rip Opera and Hancom office from the Sharp ROM to get them. It basically involves downloading "Opera Creator" and "Hancom creator" from the Zaurus Software index I linked above then executing the program from the Sharp ROM. The creator programs will make a installation program that you can then use to install on OZ.

For must have apps, yeah Doom counts. It's amazing that something I played on a desktop machine that cost around $2000 when the game came out can now be played in the palm of your hand for 1/10th of the price.

Other things I have on my OZ are: Konqueror (web browser), Opie media player (plays a lot more media formats than the standard Sharp media player), Opie Reader (document viewer), Opie FTP (FTP client), SSH server and client (remote logins), Apache with PHP module (web development), PDF Viewer, Zimage (image viewer), Mine hunt (minesweeper), Patience (card game), Snake, Doom, Tetrix and Motocross racer demo. I got all of these programs through the OZ software installer. Some aren't really 'must haves' but I figured it's easier just to list them all.

 

[figgypower]

Alright,

Does anyone think a web site geared towards newbies and "fans" of the Zaurus SL-5500 would be of any use? I'm currently thinking step-by-step guides, a FAQ, a more up to date "confirmed" hardware list, a forum, news, and whatever else anyone can suggest. But really, if it's not going to be useful, all that work goes to vain. It's just I'm itching to use a domain name that would go nicely with such a web site (IMHO)... I've already got the knowledge to build a web site (yes, even HTML through notepad; perl, javascript, etc.). Suggestions, comments, ideas are all welcome - including monetary support! Support or not, I think I might just go ahead with it anyway, unless you people think it'd be incredibly stupid and pointless. I just think such a site may be handy, and I think I can disperse the information and whatever else better then some of the web sites I've seen...

 

[creegah]

Still have not gotten a wad game to work in Doom...if anybody could help me out I would appreciate it. I enter prboom -iwad /opt/QtPalmtop/share/games/doom/OPOST21.wad at the console and the demo comes up instead of the wad and there are no monsters in the demo. All I can do in the demo is pick up items and shoot at gas cans. Also, how do you open doors or jump?

As an aside, the handwriting input on the Zaurus is mega awesome! Just take about 10 minutes to "train" through the capital letters, lower case letters and numbers. I use it just about exclusively to enter data instead of the virtual or hardware keyboards. You can enter / - ( ) in the "number" space. The only thing I can't figure out how to do is a space between words without opening the hardware keyboard to use the space button...can anyone help me out with that?

Finally got rotation to work by installing qpe-rotation_1.4.0-1_arm.ipk and qt-embedded-rotation_2.3.4-4_arm.ipk so now I can use a rotated Opera and Qpdf which is very useful.
I tried several other files for rotation floating around the 'net and they did not work.