LinuxPDA EPOCH 32? 52
mindscream writes "I am starting a project to port Linux to the EPOCH 32 architecure which is what PSIONs amungst others use. I need information about what Linux needs to know from the boot loader and what it would usually need from the BIOS, or if you know a reason why what I intend to do is impossible please add your comment! There should be some info on my web site soon, ALSO I am looking for others who would like to help even if you only would like to beta test drop me a line! "
A new linux support (Score:1)
I need help porting Linux, too. (Score:5)
I haven't done any research on the subject so far and am also ignorant if it has been done already, but never mind.
I need information about what Linux needs to know from the serial mouse and what it would usually need from the keyboard, or if you know a reason why what I intend to do is impossible please add your comment!
Linux and the BIOS (Score:1)
Linux-7110 project already runs ... (Score:3)
A project that is worth pursuing without reinventing the wheel would be to fix the ARLO boot loader so that it works on the OS5 release of EPOC/32 used in the Series 5MX, Series 7, Revo, and NetBook computers. Because of substantial device driver changes in this release, ARLO doesn't work any more and some porting work is required.
Re:Maybe we need moderation of story posters (Score:1)
Re:test (Score:2)
Re: Psion NFS also already exists (Score:1)
You can already do NFS over the serial port using p3nfs [ic.ac.uk]. I use it all the time with my series 5mx, for easy backups and access to data like that *snaps fingers*.
I love Linux, but EPOC32 is already a very solid, responsive OS for a palmtop. I don't see the need for my Psion to run Linux.
ARM (Score:1)
yes rebel and netwinder but thats not all ARM do !
think of all those 3com NIC's they all have ARM inside
INTEL have payed money and I wonder what intels SOC chip is going to be based on (-;
a poor student @ bournemouth uni in the UK (a deltic so please dont moan about spelling but the content)
Linux 7K Project already exists (Score:5)
The Calcaria Linux project already boots linux on the psion series 5. I'd have tested it, but I'm lazy. ;) Also, I can't quite understand the use of linux on this device. The Epoc32 operating system already interfaces with the touch screen, which Linux doesn't (yet.) Epoc32 has a lot of very useful apps built in, that the Linux command-line would have trouble replacing... and I hardly see the advantage of running Linux /and/ and X server on the palmtop, just to replace the word processor that Epoc already provided in the rom. The file management is well-enough thought out that you don't need to do anything through the command line (no, not that linux console is only command-line-based, but that midnight commander won't do a better job than epoc's file manager.)
The one advantage of Linux that I can see is the interfacing. if you were running linux on the palmtop and on the desktop, you could do nfs over the serial port for easy backups and access to data like that *snaps fingers*
In fact, that's the one thing I regret about the psion- it doesn't have any easy way to access the gigs of data I have on my hard drive. Granted, I've got desktop apps for that, but it'd be /kinda/ cool to have the interoperability in both directions :)
anyway, sorry for the rant...
No offense meant, but... (Score:2)
1. Who can't spell EPOC.
2. Who doesn't know that EPOC is the OS, not the hardware platform - the platform is an ARM chip.
3. Who doesn't know that someone's already got Linux running on a couple of the Psion units.
Open source doesn't mean "I propose something and thousands of people do it". It means "I do my own research, and I get something going, and people get involved then."
Get it right! (Score:2)
It's an admirable aim, but... a) it's already being worked on - the project was started, IIRC, by Ed Bailey of Redhat, and b) It's EPOC32, not EPOCH32. :-)
For those Psion S5/5mx/7/Revo/netBook and Ericsson MC218 users who read slashdot, check out epoczone.com [epoczone.com] (freshmeat-like) and epocnews.com [epocnews.com] (/.-like). :-)
Jon.Such a project already exists (Score:1)
Kaa
Also by Cliff: (Score:2)
This post number #13 (can't get the URL to work) talks about the port, already, back then.
--Donate food by clicking: www.thehungersite.com [thehungersite.com]
Moderate this up. (Score:2)
Come on moderators, this is pretty funny.
--Donate food by clicking: www.thehungersite.com [thehungersite.com]
Maybe we need moderation of story posters (Score:3)
I've seen a few pretty bad stories posted on Slashdot befoer, but this is.. well.. embarrassing.
Before you even consider a port of Linux to another architecture, it might be good if you had a little look at the source, and did one or two web searches.
As for the story.. well it has been pointed out that there are already ports running.
Guess what a search on linux EPOC port on www.google.com turned up?
Calcaria Linux7k [calcaria.net]
...running on the 5mx, but changes in the EPOC OS mean that our boot loader,...
...a project to port the unix-like operating system Linux to a small...
www.calcaria.net/ Cached (5k) [slashdot.org] New! Try out GoogleScout [slashdot.org]
Calcaria Linux7k [calcaria.net]
...the EPOC operating system, since it will be replaced by Linux....
...the Linux 7k project. A series of developers have set out to port...
www.calcaria.net/engppro.html Cached (15k) [slashdot.org] New! Try out GoogleScout [slashdot.org]
As the first two results. Cliff, normally your stories are good. It would take two seconds. Enough said.
--Donate food by clicking: www.thehungersite.com [thehungersite.com]
What would be more useful... (Score:2)
Another great project could be to create a Linux clone of Psi-Win, that would be useful.
If I've offended anyone over this, then I am Sorry, Linux is a great OS, on desktops/workstations/servers/etc. but on palmtops it will need a lot of work before it will be a viable option, and frankly, it would be a more useful expenditure of all of our time, to make the current options (PalmOS, and EPOC32) Syncronize, etc, with Linux. Lots of people use these devices, the operating systems work fine, and these people would have one less reason to not use linux if they can sync up these devices quickly and easily.
Oh, and you really don't need a Beowulf of these things.
Just a Rant people...
You shouldnt blame the guy for trying... (Score:1)
Its obvious the guy who asked
I would however go down to the bottom of the main
At least that is what i would do if i were given the oppoturnity to decide what would be posted on
john
john
Some URLs you may or may not have seen (Score:3)
Also check out previous
http://slashdot.org/articles/99/09/16/2354216.s
Which has a few threads about running linux on it. I can't see any reason why not, you can get it running on nokia phones and palms, and there is very little technical reason why it wouldn't that I can think of. Keep us posted!
Calcaria Linux 7k project (Score:1)
Re:Linux-7110 project already runs ... (Score:1)
http://www.cubicle2.freeserve.co.uk/ [freeserve.co.uk]
Care to explain the confusion, mindscream?
Re:What would be more useful... (Score:1)
In addition, the porting experience will prove helpful in designing future PDAs possibly based on Linux, such as the Itsy [digital.com] (BTW, I saw Itsy 2 in action at the International Symposium on Wearable Computing 99 - it's smaller than the original Itsy and runs X. I think Linux does have a future on palmtop-sized devices as well.)
I agree with you, Linux is great on the desktop, though there will need to be made a lot of work to make Linux the best, especially in the user interfaces. My personal preference of course, but I find almost any other OS desktop to be more comfortable than KDE, Gnome or any other window manager.
Port (Score:1)
I shall be attempting to drink a bottle of port which is alcohol based and sold amungst other drinks at the bar. My aim is to get an epoch sized hangover and send gibberish to slashdot.
If you think this is a bad idea or wan't to join me at the bar then please send your comments via the porcelain telephone.
Re:Some URLs you may or may not have seen (Score:2)
There is already work in progress on this (Score:3)
We already have PsiWin for Linux (almost). (Score:1)
plptools allows you to mount a Psion's disks on your UNIX version. I'm working on the Series 3 support when time allows.
(BTW, the person who mentioned the old psion-c project earlier... sorry, wrong architecture: that was for the Psion Series 3.)
Re:won't work (Score:1)
I am working on a Linux port too! (Score:3)
Check those URLs (Score:1)
Try http://www.cubicle2.freeserve.co.uk/ [freeserve.co.uk] instead
Re:A new linux support (Score:1)
toilet roll printer. (Score:1)
Kernel, BAH! its all about the Apps! (Score:3)
NO ONE TO DATE (pubically) is thinking about the address books, e-mail, calander, find, word processor, spreadsheet, web browser, encryption, sync utility (My little 4 meg of DRAM handheld has all of these features...+TCP/IP and 20 megs of FLASH storage for data...and plays quicktime-esque video with sound) to big brother (Desktop, not Big Brother) versions of the same utilites. Oh, and a TCP/IP (or serial/IR) based link to the handheld from the desktop so from your main machine keyboard/screen is an extension of the handheld world.
Think of the poor 16 megs of handheld DRAM, and the lack of a hard drive. Then, think of the gnome or KDE app you use as a address book/email. Can you shoe-horn your favorite apps into 16 meg, with no hard drive? (Like that PostgreSQL backend for the app....exactly HOW are you going to get that on your handheld?)
(If I could find the link, I'd post it for the 'replace X on handhelds with this graphics model' effort.)
And, without a set of apps, no one is going to use ANY OpenSource kernel on a handheld. Because its the app space that makes the kernel useful.
And I see no evidence of any of the 'productivity apps' I listed above thinking about what needs to be done to have small memory footprint, remote-linking, or much else that is important for the handheld market.
If you are looking for a project, why not spend time thinking or talking to the designers of the productivity apps to start thinking and designing for small-space apps, and linking to small memory space apps.
Re:won't work (Score:1)
He was taking the piss I assume BTW
And if he wasn't - elks
Re:I need help porting Linux, too. (Score:2)
There's already a group in Seattle the writes software for Intel systems. I hear they're working on a Unix port called Xenix, too. Plus, if you want an open-source model, there's a unix-like operating system being worked on by professor Tannenbaum. I'm sure he has done enough for the rest of the world.
If you really have a burning desire to code, you should help him. You can visit his website at http://www.minix.com.
Re:Linux-7110 project already runs ... (Score:1)
link mistake (Score:2)
+1 (Score:1)