Linux on the LifeDrive Update

Posted By: Ryan Thursday, June 22, 2006 11:11:03 AM

Linux and OPIE on the Palm LifeDriveLinux enthusiasts are still hard at work experimenting with getting Linux to operate on the Palm LifeDrive handheld. According to recent updates, Progress has been made and the project now has HDD and touchscreen support. The group Hack&Dev have also posted instructions on installing the OPIE environment on the LifeDrive as well as a screenshot. Opie (Open Palmtop Integrated Environment) is a open source graphical user environment for PDA's and other devices running Linux that includes a PIM framework and additional programs and capabilities.

Linux for the LifeDrive is still in the developer/experiment stages. Though the new OPIE instructions allow you to take it for a test drive, it can still mess with your unit so a full backup and caution is advised before proceeding.

Thanks to Ross for the tip.

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Amazing

LiveFaith @ 6/22/2006 3:43:20 PM # Q
Cannot imagine a worthwhile function for such extensive labor, but I am always amazed with each Linux community hack. Phenominal!

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com
RE: Amazing
dkirker @ 6/22/2006 4:51:18 PM # Q
It is getting easier to install. Since it is still in development many of the tools are scattered about the site.

I was recently able to get Linux on my T3 with little pin and effort. I just had to sync a prc file to my T3 and copy a file to my memory card.

There are many fetures though that are still lacking (i.e. support for the power button, wifi, bluetooth, and some others), but it appears to be coming along.

RE: Amazing
ricoh tek @ 6/22/2006 6:14:53 PM # Q
...............(YAWN).............

RE: Amazing
cervezas @ 6/23/2006 1:52:42 AM # Q
Cannot imagine a worthwhile function for such extensive labor

Same reason people climb mountains. Some of us actually think this kind of thing is fun. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that any really good programmer does her best work when her motivation is just to see if something is possible.

David Beers
Pikesoft Mobile Computing
Software Everywhere blog
www.pikesoft.com/blog

RE: Amazing
AdamaDBrown @ 6/23/2006 2:01:10 AM # Q
There are many fetures though that are still lacking (i.e. support for the power button

Perhaps I'm missing something... but if you don't have support for the power button, is there really much point in having support for anything else?

RE: Amazing
PenguinPowered @ 6/23/2006 2:33:00 AM # Q
to linux hackers 'support for the power button' means the ability to use the power button to cause the OS to run an orderly shutdown before turning the machine off.

Typically you can still manually shut down the OS and then power down the hardware (as you can with win/xp)

May You Live in Interesting Times

RE: Amazing
LiveFaith @ 6/23/2006 3:04:09 AM # Q
<>

Worthwhile as in "non-entertainment"

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

RE: Amazing
meeksomebody @ 6/23/2006 4:56:32 AM # Q
I wonder, can anybody hack LifeDrive Manager to work on Linux?

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Opie!

legodude522 @ 6/22/2006 10:21:06 PM # Q
OPIE :-) The same UI as my Zaurus. ^_^

Palm m125>Palm Zire71>Tapwave Zodiac 1>Palm Zire 72>Sharp Zaurus SL-C1000
[url=http://yatuc.com/3d_]Zaurus for sale![/url]
[url=http://yatuc.com/y2]Palm screen repair guide.[/url]
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WiFi

kaafree @ 6/23/2006 1:48:34 AM # Q
Recently Alex (author of the port) has started to work on WiFi driver. There are [url=http://hackndev.com/node/423]some results[/url] already. If he will be successful, T|X will also get WiFi.

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awesome

techno nerd @ 6/23/2006 5:01:07 PM # Q
this is sweet.

yet i am a NOOB!!!!!!!!!

but why the lifedrive

why not the TX?

my friend will really like to see this he loves linux.

RE: awesome
techno nerd @ 6/23/2006 5:04:36 PM # Q
woops, they do do it on the TX srry.

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Linux on a LifeDrive? Gack - how about the Nokia N810?

SeldomVisitor @ 7/18/2008 8:49:40 AM # Q
Now REAL cheap:

- http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/18/nokias-n810-stoops-to-a-mouthwatering-299/

and if you add THIS:

- http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/18/expressgate-instant-on-os-tested-on-asus-eee-box/

even better!

Hey Mike!

RE: Linux on a LifeDrive? Gack - how about the Nokia N810?
mikecane @ 7/18/2008 12:51:13 PM # Q
You are missing a page in your Stalker File apparently:
http://mikecane.wordpress.com/2007/01/09/nokia-770-the-endgame/

Engdaget calls it "mouth-watering"?!!? Yeah - like RABIES!!!

RE: Linux on a LifeDrive? Gack - how about the Nokia N810?
mikecane @ 7/18/2008 12:57:04 PM # Q
And now the hack&dev link is dead and the LifeDrive still has no WiFi support when using Linux. I wonder if that Linux can use the new Opera browser?!

RE: Linux on a LifeDrive? Gack - how about the Nokia N810?
SeldomVisitor @ 7/18/2008 1:12:33 PM # Q
$300.

Funny, it doesn't mention <$99 pricing or a rainbow of colors
hkklife @ 7/18/2008 5:22:30 PM # Q
http://www.brighthand.com/default.asp?newsID=14190

Pretty solid article here. Nary a mention of Palm either. But since Palm isn't doing any of the stuff on the list at the PRESENT I guess they & their current crop of devices & services don't even merit inclusion as far as BH is concerned.

Note: not that I agree with all of these points listed here-and a 10-point list would probably be more comprehensive than a mere 5-point list, but it's still a good launching point for discussion on showing that the iPhone juggernaut still leaves a LOT to be desired.


Heck, one could actually come up with 3 separate lists:

1. How to combat the iPhone's strengths

2. Areas in which the iPhone stands to improve

3. Aspects of other platforms that exceed the iPhone entirely

Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p

RE: Linux on a LifeDrive? Gack - how about the Nokia N810?
hkklife @ 7/18/2008 5:24:37 PM # Q
Mike;

Just out of curiosity, what is your current favorite amongst the current crop of netbooks? MSI Wind? Acer AspireOne? HP Mini-Note? Or the new 10" EEE? None of 'em?

Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p

RE: Linux on a LifeDrive? Gack - how about the Nokia N810?
mikecane @ 7/19/2008 1:18:53 PM # Q
Haven't fondlded the Wind yet. The 901 is nice, but $600?!!? No 10" Asus around to finger yet, either. But if it has a keyboard as good as that damned deluxe crocodile-skin lined $2,000 Asus 11"-screen notebook, it'll be killer. So stay tuned. Spend your money not yet.

RE: Linux on a LifeDrive? Gack - how about the Nokia N810?
AdamaDBrown @ 7/19/2008 11:31:05 PM # Q
hkk, glad you liked the article. It came via one of our cousin-sites. To my mind, Palm's not really on the radar because they're not trying to be a brand at the moment. They're trading on their name, yes, but they're not really creating a distinctive space for themselves, or a comprehensive aura of "This is why you want to buy our product."

Granted, Apple's mopping the floor with everybody else on that score right now, but still. RIM has the Blackberry environment and a big mind-share advantage on email; Samsung's trying to build a name on combining quality and style; HTC has their omnipresence and carrier relationships. Palm, like Motorola, is just tossing models on the market and hoping they sell based on the name.

As to subnotes, don't forget the new Dell E (Not to be confused with the Asus Eee, soon to be known as "Plaintiff").

RE: Linux on a LifeDrive? Gack - how about the Nokia N810?
mikecane @ 7/20/2008 5:20:59 PM # Q
Yeah, well, the Dell. I thought the hp Mini would be killer before I fondled it and then read the reports of that crummy VIA CPU. So, don't get your hopes up. Plus, the Dell won't be out helpless in public where I can molest it, so that really makes it just about zero as a factor. (All that said, I bet Gekko is just waiting waiting waiting to pounce on Dell once they start accepting orders!)

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