Pocket Linux

In the hands of one of the most curious authors hPCru caught new handheld Agenda VR3, the so-called developer version. This remarkable machine that is one of the first real handheld devices based on the Linux operating system, and possibly marks the emergence of a new class of device. Our author, as a big fan of the aforementioned OS requests in advance to make allowances for some subjectivity of his notes, however, do not hesitate to criticize some drawbacks, with the hope of looking to the future Agenda VR3.

Given:

Completion

- Agenda VR3

- RS-232 cable

- Headphones with microphone

- Stylus

- Cradle

- Cover leatherette black

- CD with software

Solutions:

Features

To ensure proper performance of the operating system in the AGENDA 32-bit NEC VR4181 MIPS-processor with a frequency of 66MHz. However, it is not too good to perform its duties, but more on that later. On the amount of memory you can say is that everywhere indicate quite different data. At AgendaVR3 Developers Edition, which are sent to developers since last autumn, was found 8 MB Flash and 8MB of ROM. About the final version of AGENDA, which went on sale in the surveys of Western magazine reported 8MB Flash and 16MB of ROM. Site Agenda Computing says 16MB Flash and 16MB of ROM. And at the same time, the forum is one of the company's representatives stated that "working to increase the Flash-memory to 16MB underway, but likely only the next version AgendaVR3r will have a memory of this size." Who here believe, if even within the company has no information about it? Probably have to wait for reviews of those who ordered a new AGENDA. One thing is certain: thanks to the fact that all data is stored in the flash-memory, they will not be lost when removing the batteries. On the amount of memory you can say is that everywhere indicate quite different data. At AgendaVR3 Developers Edition, which are sent to developers since last autumn, was found 8 MB Flash and 8MB of ROM. About the final version of AGENDA, which went on sale in the surveys of Western magazine reported 8MB Flash and 16MB of ROM. Site Agenda Computing says 16MB Flash and 16MB of ROM. And at the same time, the forum is one of the company's representatives stated that "working to increase the Flash-memory to 16MB underway, but likely only the next version AgendaVR3r will have a memory of this size." Who here believe, if even within the company has no information about it? Probably have to wait for reviews of those who ordered a new AGENDA. One thing is certain: thanks to the fact that all data is stored in the flash-memory, they will not be lost when removing the batteries. In size AGENDA is not much different from the Palm V. Linear dimensions are: 11,5 x7, 6x2 cm Weight: 115 gr. In his hand is quite comfortable, but here's a button to press is not always convenient, however, get used to it after a few days of use. But the screen width is comparable with the most screen Palm m100. Permission had 160h240, monochrome with 16 shades of gray. Backlight bright enough, but, unfortunately, is inverted.

Governing Body: 7 function keys, as well as 7 silk-touch buttons for launching major programs, menus and the onscreen keyboard.

During the dark red window hid IrDA-port, as well as something called the developers Consumer IR port. This port has a more powerful transmitter, it will use the AGENDA as a universal remote control and its "range" is 10 meters. Developers Edition version has not, so check this information failed.

Bottom are the RS-232 port for syncing and headphone jack.

Used to alert the two-color LED (red and green) and simple "beeper." The loudness of sound can hardly argue with the loudspeaker Handera 330, but any Palm it "perepischit.

Hardware

The body is made of plastic. As for the quality it might not be the best, but the scratches on it almost invisible. The site can be ordered AGENDA three different colors: Matrix (black), Shark (blue) and H20 (colorless, transparent).

The screen protects the flap to hinge on a design very similar to the m100. It can not remove. On the left side on top are buttons for "up", "down" button and shutdown. On either side are two buttons "Shift", they can be used, for example, when entering text using the onscreen keyboard. Keys "left" and "right" are placed around the bottom edge of the display. Over all the buttons have complaints. Buttons "Shift" would be more convenient to use, if they have not done so tight. Button, the left and right are small, but still sunk in the case. They have to grope with his finger. When inserting the stylus into the slot AGENDA off, while removing it from there it is included. To some this may seem inconvenient, but in this case it is enough just to disable the corresponding option in the settings. Original design has a connection cable - you can insert it in the cradle, and in the very AGENDA. This allows you to leave the cradle at home, if you want to sync at work or traveling. Credle light but steady through a wide area base. The only gripes with it - uncomfortable angle at which it is located AGENDA screen. Headset with a microphone inserted into the small slot at the bottom of the hull and allows you to record and listen to voice messages. But most interesting is that it can be used (to be) and listen to MP3-music! It is a pity that at this point is (like many others) the opportunity to be realized. We'll have to wait for porting mpg123?

Pocket Linux. Part 2

Operating System

As the OSes used by Linux-based kernel 2.4 for MIPS-processor. For such a small device it is hard, "clean" AGENDA seriously retarding. Everything is simple, just need to update the firmware and everything immediately starts working much faster. Compared with the first version of software for AGENDA occurred very significant increase in speed and stability. We even managed to reduce energy consumption. AGENDA now works about as well as black and white Palm'y.Two weeks of active use in alkaline batteries and about a week on batteries - quite a decent result for a PDA with a processor twice as powerful than any PalmOS-devices, and much more ponderous OS. When booting the screen is running text, see what services and programs are loaded. This is not an abstract splash screen, everything is "like a big" operating system. After the initial phase of loading passes, start X-server. After calibration, the screen appears familiar to every yuniksoidu mesh 'X' and the cursor-cross. Somewhere a minute after the start of the boot appears wallpaper with Tux the penguin, and then the LaunchPad, a local launcher. I warn you, this is the most disgusting launcher from all that you've ever seen. But do not let first impressions fool you - the main attraction AGENDA into a powerful system with great potential, and programs are improving day by day. For the first time on a handheld computer used multi-tasking OS. We can not say that this multi-tasking much I need this computer. Here PalmOS does not prevent its single-tasking. But then again, most important is the fact. Moreover, the system is in fact more and multiplayer! By default there are two users: root (administrator) and default (the user). Well, this is Linux, not going anywhere. By the way, in earlier versions of the firmware download dialog box appears in which you want to enter a username, but now it is gone. Another unique feature - if the same source pass through a x86-and MIPS-compiler, it is possible to record a program on AGENDA to check her for "large" computers running Linux! Imagine that you take the source code utility for WinCE, compile and run it in his usual Win9x/WinNT computer ... "Well, science fiction, usually beginning with the words" take the source code. " And in situations AGENDA - it is quite possible.

Firmware

On the AGENDA you will find a standard set of applications for PDAs. Names entirely speaking: Schedule, To-Do, Address, Notes, Expenses, WorldClock, Calculator, Find ... Several classic games: VR-Tris, Freecell, Bomb, Checkers, Merlin, Solitaire, ThornQ. Besides them there are system utilities Power, DateTime, Network, Quicksync, Statusbar, Console Terminal, Contrast. About the built-in programs. They are terrible. Both in terms of interface, and the number of functions. On the one hand, Linux is used to such programs do, programmers Agenda Computing largely had to be pioneers. But they have someone to be. True sometimes it leads to the anecdotal results. For example, utilities, Schedule, To-Do, Address, Notes is an attempt to copy the built-in applications PalmOS, and failed. Perhaps they were made on the principle "that was" saved and efforts were focused on other more important tasks. It seems that this is not a bad idea, because the program has already begun to appear, replacing and supplementing them, for example, MuPO and Prescribble. But all these moments spoils the first impression. AGENDA uniqueness is that in addition to these graphical tools, there is also the console. Start the Terminal and the onscreen keyboard, and you get access to the most powerful tool. BusyBox package emulates ping, telnet, uptime, wget, and other programs, without which it can do no sane yuniksoid. And how many more useful programs have been ported.Will you and VI, and Emacs, and less, so whatever! Theoretically, the text entry can be used not only on-screen keyboard, but the character recognition system, similar to Graffiti. The onscreen keyboard is not very convenient, but because of the fact that the recognition zakoryuchek works even worse, have to be content with it. By the way, ideology is similar to a virtual graffiti area Handera 330. When disabled, the program took the entire screen area. If we invoke it, the program is compressed and occupy only a square of 160x160 pixels. In the first operation on the keyboard are letters of the English alphabet, Shift, Space, Enter, Esc and basic punctuation. In the second mode, you can enter special characters, numbers, etc. The third screen is used for drawing characters by hand. It is divided into four parts. The first is used to type letters, the second for the small, third and fourth digits for the for the remaining characters. Due to the fact that under Linux there is no good character recognition systems, to introduce these icons are so uncomfortable about this opportunity that you can forget. Requires almost up to the pixel to repeat patterns that are in the symbol table from the manual. Mistakes are not forgiven entirely, in an attempt to draw R is obtained, or H, or P. Understandably, Russian characters are not. Generally, support for other languages ​​besides English, is not implemented yet. In a network you can find instructions for installing and configuring the locales and other necessary components, but in the testing process to deal with it is not enough time. With built-in infrared port, you can "bimkat" contacts from your address book. Point. Other programs do not have this capability. However, with other handhelds on the AGENDA you can also send anything. Contacts will be imported into your address book, text notes will be stored in files with the extension TXT. Can be sent and any other information. To update the firmware using a program VRFlash (there are versions for Linux and Windows), which writes to the OS kernel AGENDA (root.cramfs) and ROM-file (vmlinux). Of course, all this can "collect" themselves according to their preferences, or use those files that are uploaded to ftp-server, Agenda Computing. The flash takes about half an hour and requires no user intervention. Now the connection with your desktop computer. Data can be synchronized with Linux (Gnome PIM and other programs that support a vCalendar and vCard) and Windows (MS Outlook). But here is the installation program for Windows is a very trivial task. Under Linux easier, but still have to work hard. Let me just say that for this you need to know the meaning of words rsync, telnet, su. If you first hear them, you will have to pass the "Course for Young Amateurs." A better choose a different device.

Other programs

If all of the above you are not scared, you're ready for what will happen next.

For any new platform is usually sharply question the availability of software. Do AGENDA solves this problem by the possibility of relatively easy to port to the "big" Linux. Some programs are simple enough to be recompiled. To do this you need to take a ftp-server suite of programs, set up a cross-compiler and understand instructions for beginners. Due to the relative simplicity of this process, new programs appear almost every day. Value "ported" / "written from scratch is approximately three to two. Among the first to more command-line utilities, and among the latter is dominated by a GUI application. Usability of the last leaves much to be desired.Still, well-established principles of windowed interface for desktop computers can not be transferred to your PDA a simple reduction in size. They are yet to be worked out, but it takes a long time.

Development of core and application systems is leaps and bounds, on average two to three times a month a new version, and each of them brings something new. The main "horse" all * NIX-systems is the work of the network. Not surprisingly, the Apache Web server has been ported to one of the first. Again, the practical value is questionable (idea how to slow down a server?), But showed that the AGENDA and it can. But the bulk are useful operating time. Appeared IRC-client, repeatedly discussed the transfer of a known mailer mutt and other popular applications. "Light" BlackBox window manager has been successfully ported and is now undergoing closed testing. Also moved popular editors VIM and Emacs. The entire list of programs give here does not make sense. What is not now appear in the near future, this can be no doubt. Float to the surface and even more interesting projects. For example, the project SNOW. This is a new set of tools for processor MIPS (to be precise, this ABI - Application Binary Interface). It optimizes the download and use a common (shared) libraries. This increases performance through better use of limited resources of the CCP. When the firmware SNOW-kernel, you must recompile all the programs are used. This is not a problem, because the source of almost all programs AGENDA is available for download. In a pinch, you can always ask the developer to go to a meeting and you do it yourself. The reason why SNOW not become the de facto standard, with all its benefits, is this: libraries need to be rigidly tied to addresses in the device (it is necessary that the two libraries did not occupy the same address). Therefore, if at least one of them is added, removed, upgraded, we have to tie all the programs again. For a desktop computer that would not be acceptable, but the PDA is still not too much zapishesh. So if you're using the same set of libraries (and applications) and do not update it too often, then you should try this "snowball". A substantial increase in speed is worth it. Especially, if the creators SNOW see interest in his offspring, then they have fulfilled their promise to create a method of automatic addressing, which will eliminate the procedure to be recompiled.

Problems

Recent kernels have the same problem, the cause of which still can not find. It is associated with activation of "hibernation." If AGENDA off (after pressing the Power, inserting the stylus into the slot, or if she does not enjoy a few minutes) then after 3-5 minutes it can no longer be included. In general. Necessary to press Reset, wait for loading the OS, re-calibrate the screen. Despite the fact that the root cause of this problem found so far have failed to solve it is still possible. It needs to patch the kernel patch, which in principle is perfect for another. Namely, in order to be able to manage two signal LEDs from the console. Is not clear how these are related system calls, but the fact that it really helps. Oh and one more trouble - on the AGENDA, which was in testing, constantly discharged time, counting from 01.01.1970. It appears that this flaw only this specific sample, because no one else with such problems are not addressed in the help desk.

Conclusion

Apparently, Agenda VR3 does not become an evolutionary dead-end PDAs. In late June - early July appears Agenda VR3r - it will have a built-in battery, most likely Li-Ion. At conferences and exhibitions devoted to Linux, was presented Agenda VR5, but its fate is not known yet. It has a metal casing, built-in rechargeable battery, more powerful processor, more memory, etc.

Among the possible ways of developing software using the company's representatives called nanoyadra, which would "spur" that baby.But in the future. Already we can achieve serious results, you need only wait until a wave of frenzied shlynet porting and programmers will be better optimize their product. Among the possible ways of developing software using the company's representatives called nanoyadra, which would "spur" that baby. But in the future. Already we can achieve serious results, you need only wait until a wave of frenzied shlynet porting and programmers will be better optimize their product.

On the site you can order some accessories, such as a modem for $ 99 or adapter RS232-USB. The future is promised to sell the keyboard for $ 60 (that's really, really, a necessary addition), and there will be free to download new programs, including games, scientific calculator, etc.

Generally, the site Agenda lot of things promised, but that's not clear when these promises will be fulfilled. Yes, and its content leaves much to be desired. Find there something useful it is almost impossible for all necessary data or need to go to a page for developers, or the ftp-server of the company. Here are just there and you can find the links, files, detailed (but not too understandable for beginners) documentation. The one who searches always finds. That's just not all they want. If you decide to buy AGENDA, you do not have to spend hours reading message boards or look around the internet the answer to your question. The device, which you get, everything will work, and work normally. You can leave everything "as is" and install only the release-or stable-versions of new programs as they become available. With a 95% probability everything will be fast, stable and will not cause you any problems. This percentage you will provide an army of developers and beta testers, who will carefully examine all the details and nuances of (doing something after all and for myself too). But maybe you want to be on the crest of the open-source-wave, put all the versions of programs, ranging from alpha, to upgrade the kernel as soon as a new version of firmware? Well, suppose you would not be a surprise that it is necessary to communicate on IRC with developers who regularly attend forums for users to share experiences and report bugs. But you can ask the creator of the program on the necessary functions, or help him, able to write the appropriate module. Translated into Russian interface and help files, even just promptly report any bug - it's always appreciated. Needless to say, the Linux-community is one big plus - cohesion. This helps to achieve the goals, although there are always people who do not accept this approach. Just understand that the important thing is choice. If you feel that this is exactly what you need, Agenda VR3 you did not disappoint. If you do not lie to this soul - well, choose something else, enough alternatives. But I warn you, you'll miss the most fun and interesting! If after reading this article, you came to buy AGENDA obsession, the only thing you can help, it is urgent order it online AgendaComputing. It costs $ 249 and another for $ 59 UPS will deliver it directly to your home. So go for it!

And, you know what this AGENDA? This is the best gift a fan of Linux, with no options. Specifications are authors, translation:

Oleg Kurapov