Support for another platform

[Douglas]

Hi Miro,

I intend one day to buy some sort of Linux-based mobile computer.
Whatever I buy, Notecase is my top priority killer app for it.

One such beast I am considering is the Sharp Netwalker
http://www.reviewheaven.net/sharp-netwalker-pc-z1/
This has an ARM CPU, and runs Ubuntu Remix 9.04.

I see your downloads page contains a version of Notecase for the Sharp
Zaurus range. Do you plan to provide support for the Netwalker too, or
is the ARM "a platform too far"?

If ARM support does not feature in your plans, I'll strike this computer
off my wish list.

Cheers,
-- Douglas Brown

[Miro]

Hi Douglas,

ARM is not a problem in itself, but the problem is that I can not test
before you buy the build.
I already created several ARM builds: the ones for maemo platform and
the one for Sharp Zaurus.

Zaurus build was enabled by Daniel Hertrich who donated Zaurus device
(through the deal where I implemented some of his custom requests).
Maemo build is enabled through the special SDK that is being installed
on a standard Ubuntu PC.

It is theoretically possible to emulate ARM platform through qemu
virtual machine (but I haven't tried, so I can not be sure).

The basic thing is that I can not be sure if I don't have someone to
test this on a real hardware.

If you don't want to take a risk, perhaps the Nokia N900 might be
better choice.

Regards,
Miro

On Dec 1, 1:31 pm, Douglas <mumm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Miro,
>
> I intend one day to buy some sort of Linux-based mobile computer.
> Whatever I buy, Notecase is my top priority killer app for it.
>

> One such beast I am considering is the Sharp Netwalkerhttp://www.reviewheaven.net/sharp-netwalker-pc-z1/

[Daniel H]

Mi Miro, hi Douglas,

what if he tris to build Notecase (not pro, but the opensource
version) on the Netwalker, or let someone try it? Isn't it quite
certain that the Pro version will also build then?

Douglas, you might also consider the OpenPandora. It is designed as a
mobile gaming console, but it is a very powerful and very small
computer (approx. the size of the Sharp Zaurus, but much more
powerful).

I will definitely get one when they become available, and I intend to
continue my project "weeXpc" on it (my Linux distribution for the
Sharp Zaurus, which contains NoteCase). So it is quite certain that
Notecase (and hopefully also Notecase Pro) will run on the
OpenPandora.
I guess there will be a toolchain for buiding software for that device
on a PC, so Miro should be able to generate Pro builds. Proposed that
he wants to. I have not asked him yet. ;-)

daniel

[Miro]

Hi Daniel,

> what if he tris to build Notecase (not pro, but the opensource
> version) on the Netwalker, or let someone try it? Isn't it quite
> certain that the Pro version will also build then?

If the build tool would only be available on this device, I wouldn't
have access to build the Pro version.
The better solution would be if someone could test my Pro builds on
that device and let me know if that works
The build would probably be created inside the Maemo ARM SDK (actually
scratchbox part of it) but without using Maemo hildon libraries.

> I guess there will be a toolchain for buiding software for that device
> on a PC, so Miro should be able to generate Pro builds. Proposed that
> he wants to. I have not asked him yet. ;-)

No need to ask :) I am always interested in new platforms being
supported.

Regards,
Miro

[Douglas]

Hi All,

A very interesting discussion - many thanks!:)

I like life to be simple, so the Netwalker seems a non-starter for me as
a Notecase device. Another thing that puts me off it (a bit) is that
AFIK it is still only on sale in Japan. You have to use a "grey
importer" to get one over here in the EU. For as long that stays true, I
cannot see there being much support for it by (eg) Open Source devs.

Funny you should mention the OpenPandora. I'm interested in this
possibility too, as it was already on my shortlist. I just sorta assumed
that Notecase Pro would run on it.
*** You know what they say about "assume"? It makes an "ass" out of "u"
and "me". Usually me. :)

>From what has been said, I have the impression that (of these two) the
OpenPandora is more likely to become a platform for Notecase Pro ... one
day.

The final option on my short list is a Linux-based netbook. But netbook
battery life is currently too poor for me just yet. I'm waiting until
next year's crop, which Engadget & others are predicting will have 8-10
hours as standard.

I'm patient. I can only spend my cash once. I'd rather wait and see how
it pans out, then buy the "right" product first go.

-- Douglas

[Miro]

Not that the same warning works for OpenPandora.
It would be best to wait until I manage to create a build for it
(probably with Daniel testing it when he buys the device).
Probably then you can buy it.

Regards,
Miro

[Daniel H]

Hi Douglas,

On 5 Dez., 23:52, Douglas <mumm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I like life to be simple, so the Netwalker seems a non-starter for me as
> a Notecase device. Another thing that puts me off it (a bit) is that
> AFIK it is still only on sale in Japan. You have to use a "grey
> importer" to get one over here in the EU. For as long that stays true, I
> cannot see there being much support for it by (eg) Open Source devs.

Well, www.pulster.de imports the Netwalker and sells it in the EU.
I would assume this is totally white, not grey ;-)

> Funny you should mention the OpenPandora. I'm interested in this
> possibility too, as it was already on my shortlist. I just sorta assumed
> that Notecase Pro would run on it.
> *** You know what they say about "assume"? It makes an "ass" out of "u"
> and "me". Usually me. :)
>
> >From what has been said, I have the impression that (of these two) the
>
> OpenPandora is more likely to become a platform for Notecase Pro ... one
> day.

...hopefully soon. I am looking forward to explore and enhance the
system!

>
> The final option on my short list is a Linux-based netbook. But netbook
> battery life is currently too poor for me just yet. I'm waiting until
> next year's crop, which Engadget & others are predicting will have 8-10
> hours as standard.

There are already netbooks with that battery life. E.g. the EeePC
1008AH has, as far as I know, 8-10h of battery life.
However, for my taste the newer netbooks are too large. I wonder why
the 9" models such as the EeePC 901 are not produced anymore. That was
a nice size.

>
> I'm patient. I can only spend my cash once. I'd rather wait and see how
> it pans out, then buy the "right" product first go.
>

Do you think that this is possible?
My experience is: Wait and buy, but be sure that a few month later
there is a product which you wish you had waited for.
Well, there are exceptions: My Macbook, which I bought in 2006, is
still the best "main" computer I could get.
And the good old HP 200LX Palmtop, which I bought in 1997. I don't use
it anymore, but I have not found an adequate replacement yet. The
devices I use now are totally different ones, and I am not entirely
satisfied with them, as I once was with the 200LX until 2005.

daniel