Overview of Linux

If you haven't heard of Linux, well then your not worthy to be called a geek or a techie. The best way to explain what Linux is to simply plagiarize from my favorite magazine, the Linux Journal in which they state the following concerning Linux.

"Linux is a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system that runs on many platforms, including Intel, Motorola MC68K and DEC Alphas. It implements a superset of the POSIX standard. Linux interoperates well with other operating systems, including Apple, Microsoft and Novell.

It supports a wide rage of software, including X Windows, Emacs, TCP/IP networking (inlcluding, SLIP/PPP/ISDN), the works. Many people have executed benchmarks on 80486 Linux systems and found them comparable with mid-range workstations from Sun and Digital.

Linux (often pronounced with a short "i" and with the first syllable stressed - LIH-nucks) is freely available-it can be copied and redistributed without fees or royalties. The source code for Linux is available on the Internet to anyone who wants it.

For additional information, see http://www.linuxresources.com/what.html."

Overview of the Philips Nino

The Philips Nino is probably one of the nicest looking handheld PCs. It is designed around a chipset named the TwoChipHCG. The two chips are a PR31700 which is a 32-bit MIPS RISC processor with a R3000A MIPS core and the UCB1200 which is an advanced modem/audio analog front end. The UCB1200 also contains the circuitry for the touch screen interface.

There are six models of the Philips Nino. The 3xx series was the first followed by the recently released 510 color Nino and the lower price 210 which is not even released yet. Below is a simple table showing the comparison between the various models in order of their release. Special thanks to the person at pre-sales support at Philips for the details on the 210. You know who you are. The technical support number at Philips for the Nino is 602-557-7624.

Model	Memory	Further Details
301	4MB	Had bugs and modem problems.
312	8MB	Fixed bugs and modem problems.
320	8MB	Same as 312, but comes with detachable modem.
325	8MB	Same as 320, but comes with 8MB FLASH Card.
510	16MB	Same as 312, but has color screen.
210	8MB	Same as 3xx series, but has PC cable interface instead of docking station. Does not come with leather case. Does not have T9 keyboard, ART smART write software or the Nino Expense Manager.

The Nino accepts CompactFLASH cards up to 96MB in size. Although, you will need a software patch to use the card. As you can see from the table, there is a clip-on modem available among other add-on gadgets. Go to the Nino website for further information.

Introduction

Welcome to the Linux-Nino Hacking Page. These pages contain information on how to rid your Nino of Microsoft Windows CE and run Linux as well as how to interface your Nino with Linux should you choose to continue running Windows CE (why?).

Even though I bought a Palm Pilot to begin with, I really liked the looks of the Nino a lot. I was put off by the fact that it ran Windows and it was too large to fit into my shirt pocket like the Palm Pilot. A friend of mine bought a Nino and I looked at almost everyday until I could not stand it any more and went out and bought a Nino 312. I ended up getting the floor model at Best Buy for a nice little discount.

I liked the feel of the Nino and thought, "Wow! What would this thing be like if it ran Linux?" A port to the Palm Pilot had already been done, but it was more a novelty than anything. The Pilot only has a Motorola MC68000 derivative running at around 16MHz with a maximum of 8MB of RAM, if you buy expansion memory. Compare that with a Nino that has a better screen, a RISC processor running at 75MHZ (approximately 5 times faster) and a combined 102MB of RAM/FLASH. That looks like a great platform to port to.

I was not the only person thinking about replacing Windows CE with something better. These guys here are working on a more general embedded Linux replacement for all Windows CE devices. I am part of this project and will keep my efforts in line with the overall goals of the LinuxCE project for the Nino.

Most of these pages are devoted to the porting effort. I also hope to do some Linux programming to synchronize the Nino with my Linux desktop box. Most likely these utilities will run under X and probably GNOME. Check back and see how things are progressing or contact me if you would be interested in helping out on anything.

The Projects

Linux Nino: Port of GNU Linux to the Nino.
Nino And Linux Synchronization (NALS): GNOME/GTK+ suite to synchronize with a Nino running Windows CE.

This Philips Nino WebRing site owned by Steven J. Hill.
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