Handheld Hardware Compatibility
Introduction
In using Familiar Linux, you are placing yourself at the bleeding edge. You can take pride for your vision in joining a growing mass of people who choose freedom of software on the palmtop.
However, this freedom comes at a price. Not all devices are supported. Most devices that work on Windows CE will also work on Familiar Linux (there are even the odd few that Linux supports and Windows CE doesn't). Some will work right out of the box. Some will work after adding or changing a couple of lines in scripts. Some will only work after fairly extensive hacking, even modifying/recompiling drivers, so be patient. If you've read all the documentation and are still unsure then please post a message to the mailing list.
See also SupportedHandheldSummary for PDAs which have had Linux installed on them.
Contents
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Ethernet and modem+ethernet combo cards
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Modems including wired, CDPD, CDMA, and GPRS modems/phone adapters
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Input devices (keyboard, mouse, joystick etc.)
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Video output (VGA etc.)
See also HardwareProjects
General advice
In seeking hardware add-ons for your PDA running Familiar, you may do well to make sure you can try individual products and return them if you can't get them running. Thankfully, most reputable retailers offer a 7-day refund policy, and 7 days is ample to determine if you can get a given device up and running.
Note: 32-bit CardBus-style PCMCIA cards do not work, because the handheld hardware does no have support for them (the limitation is in CPU). The same goes for Windows CE as this is a hardware limitation. Take care not to buy one of these by mistake - some manufacturers are distressingly unclear in their sales documentation as to what type of PC card they are providing.
