Getting started with GPE
WARNING: Following was written for Familiar 0.7 and needs update for newer versions.
In the following, we assume you have installed the latest bootgpe2 image from http://familiar.handhelds.org/familiar/releases/v0.7/install/ or are using Familiar unstable.
Feel free to add questions here if you think this page should answer them for other newbies - write to the ![[WWW]](/moin/handhelds/img/moin-www.png){kind=small}
mailing list if you don't.
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What are the hardware requirements for GPE?
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How do I set up a (wireless) network connection?
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I do like to be possible to choose a user on login, but not to be asked again on every suspend, unless I explicitly ask to lock the screen.
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It appears GPE is primarily running on the Compaq IPAQ.... but it might basically work on all PDAs running Linux (or other UNIX-like systems). We work on support for other platforms (like Zaurus and Simpad)
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Please take a look at
GPE Wireless Config (and GpeBluetoothConfig - in progress).
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Use gpe-conf and uncheck the "Lock display on suspend." checkbox in the "Login Setup" applet as shown here:
Another way is to do
rm /etc/X11/Xsession-gpe.d/50autolock
My PDA is my own. I don't need to log in ever. How do I get no login screen? How do I remove the login screen altogether?
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Edit /etc/sysconfig/gpelogin (in the "Root shell" for instance) to say AUTOLOGIN="true". Or use the "Login Setup" (see the previous question) NOTE: with at least Familiar 8.2 the autologin will log you in as root no matter what you set in the gpelogin file. this could be fixed later
How do I get a larger font in the terminal application?
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Change the "5.5" part in ~/.Xdefaults to something different:
Rxvt*font: mono-5.5:minspace=trueOr: Use Settings->Look and Feel->Fonts
Changing the timezone in gpe-conf is not working.
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The timezone setting is only applied at the next log in. A timezone name like CEST is the same as CET with "Use daylight saving time" enabled.
How can I make a screenshot of my cool new GPE handheld?
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Please see http://handhelds.org/scap/. After installing the scap package, just run it in a terminal. It will wait five seconds until it takes the screenshot.
How can I get GPE in my own language?
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Provided that someone has done the necessary translations, do the following in the "Root shell":
ipkg install locale-base-LL{+CC}
where you replaced LL (and if necessary CC) with the language and country code of your choice. See IpkgHackForLocales for details. The next log in dialog should allow you to select that language. If ipkg cannot find that, create a file /etc/ipkg/locale-LL.conf with the following line:
src/gz locale http://familiar.handhelds.org/familiar/feeds/unstable/packages/armv4l/locales/LL
If you want to help translating, please take a look at GPEInternationalisation.
How do I get a keyboard in my own language without having everything else translated?
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NOTE: xkbd-layout packages are not available in Familiar 0.8+, this needs to be fixed.
Do the he following in the "Root shell":
ipkg install -nodeps xkbd-layout-LL{+CC}
(See the previous question about the meaning of LL and CC.)
How can I sync data with my desktop computer?
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There is a Multisync plugin now, look at GpeSync for deatils.
Aditionally you can export and import vCards (used in the Contacts application) though. Use vcard-export and vcard-import on the command line. vcard-import expects single vCards on STDIN. Make sure the vCards you are importing are in UTF-8 format.
So vCards are possible for contacts, what about vCal for Calendar?
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This is planned (?) but no timeframe for implementation yet...(?)
I heard that I can use my desktop's mouse and keyboard. How do I do that?
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First you got to establish a network connection, for example by putting it into the connected cradle (see below).
Just install x2x on your Linux desktop, execute on the iPAQ in a rxvt
xhost 192.168.0.1and on your desktop:
x2x -to 192.168.0.2:0.0 -east
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Now when you go with your mouse on the right out of your desktop's screen you come in to the left of your iPAQ. The best: keyboard follows mouse. Of course 192.168.0.1 needs to be substituted with your desktop IP and 192.168.0.2 with your iPAQ's IP adress.
This works with Sharp Zaurus, too. If you don't see your mouse that's because it is transparent! To see your mouse you've got to change the transparent cursor in /usr/share/icons/xcursor-transparent/cursors into something visible. (read the man page of "xcursorgen" to learn how to create cursors)
There's also the "teleport" applet in the default dock, which lets you move some running applications to a new display. (Not all X apps work with it, though - is it only GPE apps? GTK ones? Someone please explain more...)
If you are using the "Network Shield", add a rule to allow TCP destination port 6000 or else you won't be able to connect.
vi Working out of the box now
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I cannot see any JPEG images in gpe-gallery!
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Do:
# ipkg install gdk-pixbuf2-loader-jpeg # gdk-pixbuf-query-loaders > /etc/gtk-2.0/gdk-pixbuf.loaders
This should be fixed in the latest GPE as of mid-April 2003.
How do I add more dock applets?.
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GPE uses the matchbox window manager (http://matchbox.handhelds.org/). To add useful dock applets to matchbox's dock (aka "tray"), tap and hold your pen on the free area at the bottom of the screen, then go from there.
Where can I find a connection HOW-TO? I Found only CE <-> Linux and Familiar <-> Windows FAQ? How to connect (Not sync)
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USB networking "just works" now. If you put your iPAQ in its cradle and
ifconfig -aon your Linux box, you should see something like:
usb0 Link encap:Ethernet HWaddr 42:90:2B:2F:C1:DA
inet addr:192.168.0.200 Bcast:192.168.0.255 Mask:255.255.255.0
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Add "192.168.0.202 familiar" to /etc/hosts, and you can then "ssh familiar".
How do I set up a Serial Network using slattach ?
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I have just installed OpenZaurus; I am at the command prompt. How do I start the graphical interface?
Make sure you've downloaded one of the graphical packages (GPE or Opie) and it will start automatically. The bootstrap package does not have a GUI.
