On Wed, Feb 12, 2020 at 6:58 AM Michael Barnes <[email protected]> wrote:
> > On Wed, Feb 12, 2020 at 3:56 AM Richard Owlett <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> I've explored this issue in the past without finding something: >> in current production. >> meeting my non-negotiable specifications. >> satisfy enough of my preferences to be a good fit to how I do things. >> >> This is a rewrite of some multiple posts to debian-user and adjusting >> phrasing that caused off topic responses. >> I post here as: >> this group is not Debian specific, >> it will provide a different point of view. >> >> >> I wish to enter/store data while away from home. The data will then be >> transferred to my laptop via a USB cable. [think a Palm Pilot in a >> smartphone physical form factor] >> >> It must use a standard Linux (Debian preferred). >> The manufacturer should ship with the Linux installed. >> Android is *UNACCEPTABLE*! >> It should NOT have cell connectivity. >> If it has WiFi, I must be able to disable it. >> >> When I looked a few years ago there were some open source hardware >> projects in the prototype stage but I don't recall any that reached >> production. [There was something similar based on Raspberry Pi which >> ended up too thick due to how screen was attached.] >> >> Recently I was pointed to the PinePhone. >> https://www.pine64.org/pinephone >> https://wiki.pine64.org/index.php/PinePhone >> >> >> https://www.pine64.org/2020/01/24/setting-the-record-straight-pinephone-misconceptions >> >> It meets my cell connectivity and WiFi requirements with a set of kill >> switches. >> https://wiki.pine64.org/index.php/PinePhone#Killswitch_configuration >> >> I can see practical procurement problems. >> The site hasn't updated to report on impact of Coronavirus. >> There isn't any indication of any U.S. importer - I don't want to have >> the hassle of handling any duties or FCC type acceptance of the included >> RF components. >> >> It does have a nice set of specs. >> >> Any suggestions or survey articles I should read. >> >> TIA >> >> > I don't recall the manufacturers off the top of my head, but there are > several who make handheld data units that look more like a large > calculator. They generally have a full keyboard, color touchscreen, barcode > scanner, some have GPS, WiFi, etc. I've seen them with long range laser > scanners that will read barcodes at 20 feet or so. Generally used for > warehouse inventory, etc. Most I have seen actually run Linux, a few with > Windows. I got to use one a few years ago when I was helping survey and map > fire hydrants. We keyed in the general address and hydrant number, set the > unit on the top of the hydrant to let the GPS stabilize and record the > data. The information was later uploaded and processed and became part of > the CAD system in the fire trucks to pinpoint hydrant locations in relation > to a call. I also saw some in use when I was assisting in a survey of > underground pipes for the gas company. In both cases, the devices were > running Linux. Of course the other folks had no idea what Linux was. They > just turned it on, tapped the icon for the app and moved on. > I did look some of them up at one time, I thought it would be fun to have > one. Until I saw the starting price tags of $2,000+. I quickly lost > interest. I'm sure if you search for something like "data entry handheld > computer" you'll find them. > > Michael > > Expanding on this, in today's environment, finding something OTS from the factory with Linux installed may be difficult, you'd have to ask them and see. Remember, unlike John Q. Public, we know, understand, and embrace Linux. "Normal Consumers" likely have either not heard of Linux or are terrified of it. They do know Android and find it perfectly acceptable. Just look at the millions of smartphones running Android. I found a bunch of devices using Android available from folks like Zebra, Barcodes, Honeywell, etc. I know you don't like Android, so you will need a Linux distribution that will fun on an ARM system. There are a variety of articles on the web detailing replacing Android with Linux on ARM devices. That may be the only viable route for you. For the price they charge for these things and their claims of customization for the user, you may find an option from them that you are looking for. Again, it ain't gonna be cheap. But, if you want something very specialized like this, and are not willing to do some of the heavy lifting yourself, then be prepared to pay the price. As you originally posted, this group provides different points of view, and you will certainly get them. If they differ from what you are looking for, just delete and move on. No need for bashing folks for offering those different points of view. We are all just trying to help. Michael _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list [email protected] http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
