Saturday, February 9, 2002
Linuxpaq - Linux on the iPAQ
Posted by Tycho Morgan in "ARTICLE" @ 09:31 AM
http://columns.pocketnow.com/content.cgi?db=periodicals&id=22
I am a Windows user. All of the computer and computing devices that I’ve ever owned run have run some sort of Microsoft operating system, with the brief and only exception being the Visor that I used for a short time 8 months ago. This isn’t to say other operating systems don’t impress me; Mac OS X and Linux have always interested me, I just don’t really have the stomach to switch. As a result, I have an admiration for anyone who uses Linux, especially those folks who put it on their iPAQs.
I’ve watched with mild interest as folks, mostly centered on Handhelds.org, have taken Linux distributions and installed them on their iPAQs. Not the kind of thing I’m likely to try, but interesting nonetheless. In any case, when I saw that Pocket Now had an article on using Linux with your iPAQ, I eagerly read it.
While their have been many developments in the world of Linux PDAs, it seems to me that all the offerings aren’t really ready for prime time. Functionally, Linux solutions appear to be right on par with Pocket PC specifications; however, when you take into account the fact that symbolization solutions, third party software, and lack of drivers for available hardware, the equation changes slightly. Pocket PC 2002, even with all of its shortcomings and quarks, seems—at least in my opinion—much more appealing.
I am a Windows user. All of the computer and computing devices that I’ve ever owned run have run some sort of Microsoft operating system, with the brief and only exception being the Visor that I used for a short time 8 months ago. This isn’t to say other operating systems don’t impress me; Mac OS X and Linux have always interested me, I just don’t really have the stomach to switch. As a result, I have an admiration for anyone who uses Linux, especially those folks who put it on their iPAQs.
I’ve watched with mild interest as folks, mostly centered on Handhelds.org, have taken Linux distributions and installed them on their iPAQs. Not the kind of thing I’m likely to try, but interesting nonetheless. In any case, when I saw that Pocket Now had an article on using Linux with your iPAQ, I eagerly read it.
While their have been many developments in the world of Linux PDAs, it seems to me that all the offerings aren’t really ready for prime time. Functionally, Linux solutions appear to be right on par with Pocket PC specifications; however, when you take into account the fact that symbolization solutions, third party software, and lack of drivers for available hardware, the equation changes slightly. Pocket PC 2002, even with all of its shortcomings and quarks, seems—at least in my opinion—much more appealing.
