On Tue, Mar 30, 2004 at 10:02:45AM +1000, Peter Chubb wrote: > > Hi, > Has anyone had any experience with the Sharp Zaurus, or other > Linux-based PDAs? I'm particularly interested in how usable they are > for usual PDA type stuff (like the Datebook etc., functionality on a > PalmOs device), as well as for the usual Linux stuff (taking quick > memos, synchronisation with a Linux desktop, etc.)
I got a Zaurus SL-A300 recently. It's a Japanese only model hence a little different -- smaller and without a physical keyboard, but it has good pen input which is great for writing Japanese :) I use it mostly for Horms' jiten (Japanese/English dictionary program), but also for taking short notes and viewing photos. I transfer data back and forth via an SD card -- it does have USB but I heard a rumour that it's not USB storage and needs some special USB net software so haven't bothered. I don't use the diary, but I do use the address book if only for the gimmick value of actually being able to store Japanese friends' names in Japanese :) Back on topic however, it's great being able to drop to a shell and poke around. It runs a patched 2.4.13-ac5-rmk2- kernel out of the box, and of course you can install random qtopia apps on it or even build stuff for it. Plus you always know it's Linux under the hood, so it multitasks well and corrects for daylight savings automatically etc. ... Usability-wise, hunt-and-peck on a soft keyboard is a pretty painful way to take more than a couple of lines of notes, or to use a shell at all, but I'd imagine the physical keyboard would be a little faster. cheers, Conrad. -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
