Running Linux On Acer's C100 Tablet PC 249
Christopher Coulter writes submitted a link to this detailed guide to putting Debian GNU/Linux on an Acer Tablet PC. That most manufacturers aren't leaping to provide Linux support on their tablet PCs doesn't mean it isn't possible ;)
What was wrong with it before? (Score:4, Interesting)
My only question to him is: How could those needs not be met in a Windows XP envrioment? I would hope that he didn't spend too much time durring class and such trying to install Linux durring a lecture. I thought the main idea of a Tablet PC was to keep you from having so much hassle.
addendum (Score:3, Interesting)
No kidding (Score:5, Interesting)
Another thing is that we get HUGE $$$$$ from Microsoft for advertising and development.
handwriting recognition? (Score:3, Interesting)
Congratulations! Next Steps... (Score:5, Interesting)
There are some obvious next steps here. What makes TabletPC is not merely its form-factor or the hardware bits -- it is also, in large part, the software that is running on the TabletPC. TabletPC has all sorts of software hooks to make applications function reasonably well with just ink input. Can someone out there create a linux-equivalent to the ink applications for TabletPC?
For instance, the Journal is super cool. It lets you make notes in ink (or by text), it can translate, etc. Most importantly, you can
Most linux and applications in X assume keyboard + mouse input. This is not an unreasonable assumption; however, it does mean that just being able to
Note: the Ink interface is
too bad you can't get any real HWR for Linux... (Score:5, Interesting)
But for me, I won't bother with Linux on any stylus-only machine until you can get something resembling real HWR for Linux. Yes, there are softkeyboards and plenty of character recognition schemes. That isn't HWR.
While I'd rather use Linux than Windows for a number of the usual reasons, if I had a tablet, I'd use Win2k on it. At least with Windows I can get real HWR- in the form of PenOffice/CalliGrapher.
While the regular consumer cannot get real HWR for Linux, it does exist. Motorola's Lexicus division makes real HWR software for a number of platforms including Linux. However, you can't download it and install it for free, or even purchse it. You can as an OEM, but that doesn't do me much good. That, and it really blows- I've used Lexicus's HWR on a ProGear webpad under Linux. First, you have to write in a little box, not just anywhere on the screen. You cannot expand the dictionary- so you'll likely be going back to the softkb for names, etc. It is also very slow, at least on a 400 MHz Crusoe. Oh well...
I'd love to be proven wrong. If anyonem knows of any other real HWR software for Linux commercial or free, please holler!
Re:What was wrong with it before? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Maybe I'm optimistic... (Score:2, Interesting)
yes but ... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:but... (Score:2, Interesting)
- Catherine
Re:No kidding (Score:5, Interesting)
So that demonstrates why it's good that Linux on Tablet PC's is tried and proven to be working. Not so much that it works, but way more that this guy needs to post this anonymously. If I would have been in his position (I'm a corporate worker as well) I would have done the same thing, but it's a shame that someone has to go underground to admit that his boss doesn't allow Linux, because Redmond pays too much.
Thanks for posting this, AC!!!
Re:...and in related news... (Score:2, Interesting)
too bad you can't get any real HWR for Tablet PC (Score:4, Interesting)
That means that when you use a Tablet PC, you are reduced to using the PocketPC character recognizer or the on-screen keyboard. And for that, Linux has equivalents that are as good or better (xscribble and xvkdb).
So far, there hasn't been much demand for connected handwriting recognition for Linux, or for ink software, because there haven't been many tablets. Now that tablets are fairly affordable, thanks to Microsoft, that is likely going to change. Open source operates in response to supply and demand; it's not usually first, but it usually fills the needs of users.
Re:No kidding (Score:5, Interesting)
Sounds like Microsoft trying to crush linux in the tablet pc industry the same way they did BeOS in the PC industry, sounds like there needs to be another suit against Microsoft by someone like RedHat to keep the same thing from happening to LinuxTabletPC as BeOS. Remember, Microsoft kept PC manufactures from dualbooting Windows and BeOS by telling them they couldn't. If Microsoft didn't bribe the dealers into being so Pro Windows, I bet the competition could be more open, especially if a company like RedHat played.
Re:No kidding (Score:3, Interesting)
screw handwriting! (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:What was wrong with it before? (Score:3, Interesting)
My only question to him is: How could those needs not be met in a Windows XP envrioment?"
Well i have a second question... why not have buy a cheapo laptop for 300 or 400 dollars and save big money over a tableyPC, and the laptop supports Linux fully? or why not just buy a palm?
Linux on a HP TC1000 TabletPC (Score:2, Interesting)
http://handhelds.org/~mallum/tabletpc
and a couple of screenshots here;
http://handhelds.org/~mallum/matchbox/scre
Also it worth getting kdrive ( aka tinyX ) working as you'll then be able to rotate the display on the fly.
Re:What was wrong with it before? (Score:3, Interesting)
For a tablet PC to replace paper it has to be extremely stable. Even XP didn't fit the bill for me.
(and I found the handwriting recognition essentially useless.)
-Dean