I bought Sharp Zaurus PDA device at last Linux world expo in San Francisco. I'm very pleased with it and it's the most promising PDA in my opinion. Briefly, it has 64 MB of main memory, CF port, memory stick port, cradle port, sound input and output, tiny keyboard, and infrared port. Cradle port can be used for serial or USB type of connections. I haven't used sound on it yet but it's possible to play mp3 files which makes me think that one should be able to install software that generates sound output. It's possible to use audio input from microphone or whatever other source to record into file. Sound output works with headphones and can be connected to amplifier with speakers. Sound demo at the tradeshow was impressive. Besides original OS, one can overwrite it with openZaurus, which excludes commercial software like Opera (web browser) and office tools. Open source of course provides many of the tools we enjoy in other versions of Linux or Unix. I downloaded programs like console which gives me access to bash and other GNU tools. Having wireless card inserted in CF port (compact flash memory) I can connect to wireless network to get email, browse the internet, etc. I haven't tried lynx yeat but have no dubt it works as expected. Another important tool I use is openssh. Backups are simple, Zaurus creates tar file on CF card that can be dealt with on any Linux desktop. Files can easily be transfered between the machines using CF card. I haven't tried memory stick yet but assume it works just like CF does. In short, I recommend Sharp's Zaurus for it's flexibility, support for open source, and computing power. It's graphical part of software could be removed to gain memory space for the blind specific tools. Perhaps some kind of speech generating software could be installed on it. Ever growing density of CF memory makes it possible to keep bigger and bigger files in PDAs. If I come across anything like that I'll let you know. I keep a list of Zaurus related links on http://www.linwin.com/zaurus/index.html Rafael On Fri, Aug 23, 2002 at 08:17:13AM -0400, rick watson wrote: > Hi Everyone, > > I am comfortable using linux on a server. I have installed the speakup > package. > > After briefly looking at the blinux archive, it appears that some of you are > experimenting with handheld devices. > > I am interested in getting a handheld which talks. Could you please provide > experiences. I realize that this will most likely involve installing > software. This should be no problem. I want to have some good ideas before I > invest money in a handheld. > > > > Good or BAD experiences are welcome!! > > thanks > > Rick