Re: [iPAQ] various questions

Brian Kraack writes:
> Well I finally got my iPAQ from circuit city. Does anyone elses units
> have problems with the on/off switch door not staying shut, or did I
> just get a crappy one? Did you all get the rubber piece that is
> supposed to cover up the expansion slot - I seem to be missing that too.

My on/off switch door also swings back and forth. Makes the unit
sound like there's a bit of solder stuck inside it. And no, I didn't
get any rubber piece to cover up the expansion slot.

> - how many of you all have done the switch to Linux as described in the
> howto?
> - did it go smoothly?

No, of course not. It requires the use of Windoze. But relatively
speaking it went fine -- I only had to reboot Windoze twice.

> - how long until the ability to recover the windows ce image becomes
> available
> (if whoever is working on that needs some bodies to throw at it,
> I'll volunteer some time)

From what I gather it's possible now, it's just that it's not well
documented.

> - is there any way to recover from a failed install in the works (or
> even possible to do)? this is the big one, because I see it as the
> biggest hurdle towards getting a lot of people to use the iPAQ with
> linux

I don't think the install is likely to fail. The only critical
section is flashing the new boot loader. Once you've done that, you
can always get back to the boot loader by hitting space during its
startup.

> - is there a list of all the iPAQ specific projects going on right now
> (if I missed it on the site, I apologize)

No, but there seems to be no lack of projects. 90% of the work is
going to be to get X programs to USE FEWER PIXELS. Some of these X
jockeys have 1200x1600 screens.

> - what are some of the areas of biggest need when it comes to
> software for this puppy, I'm willing to work on stuff that needs to get
> done, but would rather not re-invent the wheel

From where I sit, power control (which needs to be in the kernel) is
the most critical project. Once you've got Linux installed, the power
button does nothing! All you can do to not run the battery full-time
is to completely turn the machine off, losing the contents of RAM.

Also needed is a reliable way to stroke in the xscribble window at the
same time another program has the focus. Sounds like a window manager
problem to me.

> - for the people at Compaq, do you have any iPAQ relevant statistics
> yet? things that would be usefull in determining whether or not there
> is an 'industry' in the making (linux on iPAQ/other device handhelds)
> that need apps or not would be helpfull

Oh, there's an industry all right. Look at all the interest the Itsy
engendered.

-- 
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