Well, while I'll give you points for saying the Zaurus is more than a PDA, so is a Pocket PC and you can get a variety of them under $499. So that's where the reasoning breaks down. Couple that with the fact that sync is more robust on Palm and Pocket PC then the Zaurus starts to look alittle weak. Don't get me wrong, I want a Zaurus. The 5500's are starting to show up on the cheap. The hold back for me is after looking at reviews, I'm hearing that support is questionable and durability less than desireable. Couple that with the gliches and depression can set in for a fan of Linux on PDA's. <<JAV>> ---------- Original Message ----------- From: "Robert P. J. Day" <rpjday@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: shrike-list@xxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 05:46:27 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: PDA Recommendation > On Sat, 12 Jul 2003, Joe Polk wrote: > > > The problem with Sharp and other Linux PDA companies is lack of serious > > presence in the US. The 5500 was sold here, true, but not widely. The clam > > shells aren't even offered here. I read about all these great linux PDA's but > > I can't get them and even if I could, many are priced at $499 +. > > true, that's pricey for a *PDA*, but i don't think you should be looking > at something like the zaurus as a simple PDA. if all you're looking > for is a PIM to handle your basic calendar and addressbook, plus a > bit more, there's lots of other options, and much cheaper. IMHO, > the zaurus represents something considerably beyond a simple PDA. > > given that it's linux-based, and that you can load it with a full > development environment (gcc, java, perl, python) and server software > > (ssh, web server, ftp server), a tool like the zaurus is now encroaching > on laptop territory. > > now, obviously, you're not going to sit there and program on it using > that silly sliding keyboard, so you plug in a network card (wired > or wireless) or use the USB cradle, and ssh into it. or, as i've > done, install VNC and display the full graphical desktop of the Z > on a desktop. > > and once again, since there are lots of open source apps that have > been ported to the Z, think about some of the possibilities. load > it up with network monitoring tools and be a network-security-dude- > (or dudette)-on-the-go. plug in anywhere, and run nmap on a network. > > or have some fun with it like i did one day. normally, when i teach > my intro linux class at a client site, i plug my laptop into the > classroom network, get a DHCP address, tell the class to telnet/ssh > into that address, there are logins ready to go, and i start the > class. only at lunchtime do i point out to the class that they've > all been logged into my little laptop. for those used to personal > windows desktops, this is always a bit of a revelation. > > last time, though, just for fun, i brought my Z and did the same -- > set it up with class accounts and sample files, put it on the net, > DHCP, etc, etc. everyone logged in, we worked all morning, and > just before lunch, i let them know what they'd been working on. > jaws dropping all around the room. granted, my Z doesn't have the > horsepower to handle a really CPU-intensive class, but i like > the possibility of being able to travel and deliver a linux class > out of my shirt pocket. :-) > > anyway, the moral is, it's unlikely linux-based PDAs like the Z > are going to be huge sellers since they're not really PDAs. i > prefer to think of them as laptops in a small package and, as such, > their higher price tag starts to seem more reasonable. > > rday > > -- > > Robert P. J. Day > Eno River Technologies > Unix, Linux and Open Source training > > http://www.enoriver.com > > Hypothetical Bush defense: "Hey, don't blame me! I was just doing what > I was told!" > Subsequent NY Times headline: "Modest president credits staff work" > > -- > Shrike-list mailing list > Shrike-list@xxxxxxxxxx > https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/shrike-list ------- End of Original Message ------- -- Shrike-list mailing list Shrike-list@xxxxxxxxxx https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/shrike-list
