OPIE Finally Works With Original Sharp Zaurus ROM

Werner Heuser writes " Thanks to the work of Michael Tuschik OPIE 1.0.3 is now available for the original ROMs provided by Sharp. OPIE is an Open Source User Interface and Apps for Linux PDAs built on Qt Embedded. You don't need a special version of "ipkg". Install via shipped package manager. Michael wrote at the OPIE mailing list: "NOTE: The Opie PIM applications will replace the original Sharp apps but use its own "old" data format (applies to Sharp ROM 3.1x and derivates). On uninstall the SHARP apps will be restored.""

what is OPIE?

[xutopia]

am I supposed to know about this?

Re:what is OPIE?

[ccady]

One would hope that the sentence in the synopsis would help you figure out that:

"OPIE is an Open Source User Interface and Apps for Linux PDAs built on Qt Embedded."

Great work, but user unfriendly

[orthogonal]

Opie does some great work, and I've tried several times to install opie apps and Open zaurus on my 5600.

OZ never installs correctly, and half the Opie apps crashed under the original Sharp ROM, <i>even those in the Sharp-rom feed</i>.

Several times they crashed badly enough that the Qtopia window manager failed to start, and I had to interrupt the boot, go in via the console, and un-tar Sharp's backup tars. Not fun.

And the Opie web site seems almost intentionally hard to navigate, the way the feeds are just lists of un-described and un-documented programs (yes, I know they idea is to use the feeds with the install-from-network ipkg option).

I guess what I'm saying is, they best programs in the world are of limited use if the documentation is missing and you're left to guess at what something is and whether or not it'll work. If you disagree, first follow the link in the article, and then tell me what somebody new to Opie is supposed to figure out from (excerpt; notice the not-so-descriptive description column):
Index of /feed/sharprom/1.0.3

Name Last modified Size Description

Parent Directory 09-Feb-2004 09:37 -
Packages 09-Feb-2004 09:34 32k
backgammon_1.0.3_arm..> 08-Feb-2004 16:34 146k
ftplib_1.0.3_arm.ipk 08-Feb-2004 16:34 9k
libopie1_1.0.3_arm.ipk 08-Feb-2004 16:38 266k
libopieobex1_1.0.3_a..> 08-Feb-2004 16:40 33k
libopietooth1_1.0.3_..> 08-Feb-2004 16:41 31k

Re:Great work, but user unfriendly

[Anonymous Coward]

You see that file called Packages?

That contains a list of all of the files in the directory, their dependencies, versions and a short description.

It might help.

Si

Re:Great work, but user unfriendly

[orthogonal]

You see that file called Packages?

Yeah, I've seen it. Does it strike you as ironic to have to manually page through a text file like when you've shelled out $500 for a zaurus computer, presumably as a handheld, ever-present labor saving device?

I'm more than willing to do stuff that a computer can't do, but matching a description from a manifest file to a directory entry seems like a job perfectly suited to a computer.

(And PS, ipkg net-install fails to read this particular feed, and then fails to explain

Disagree

[Gothmolly]

I installed OZ on my Zaurus 5500 without a hitch. It is known that OZ for 5500 has not (until recently) worked fine on the 5600.
So RTFM, troll.

Re:Disagree

[orthogonal]

I installed OZ on my Zaurus 5500 without a hitch. It is known that OZ for 5500 has not (until recently) worked fine on the 5600.
So RTFM, troll.

Last I checked (about a week ago), zImage.bin and initrd.bin for the 5600 didn't even have correct md5sums (actually, no md5sum was listed for zImage at all).

So don't go off half-cocked and accuse other people of being trolls, troll.

Re:Disagree

[Gothmolly]

So you flash with unsupported software with bad or no MD5 sums, and you complain that it doesn't work? Well... yeah!

Re:Usable but Buggy

[orthogonal]

To install on the 5600, a quick search of the OZ mailing list on SourceForge (well, not so quick...is SF ever stable?) will reveal that you need to flash with 3.3.6pre1 on the 5600 as opposed to the release version. Additionally, the flash process is completely different (simpler in fact) from the better documented/supported 5500.

Thanks! Very informative.

I did attempt to install 3.3.6pre1, but I followed (I think) the standard flash instructions.

Given your report however, I'm willing to wait a bit. ;)

Re:Great work, but user unfriendly

[galtenberg]

And I have not had a single problem with an Opie application... on my original SL-5500. ROM version 2.38, Linux version 2.4.6-rmk1-np2-embedix. Everything works beautifully... as if the apps were meant for the 5500....... (contemplative pose)

I tried upgrading to the ROM you have on the SL-5600 (ROM version 3.1x), and almost -none- of my favorite applications would work. Now, hearing your difficulties, I don't feel quite so alone...

I'm very surprised there hasn't been more chatter on this topic. Is

Re:Instead of working on two dozens...

[skwirlmaster]

You see, you don't have to buy apps for opie, they are free.

Further some people have beliefs regaurding the morality of commercial software, and some people don't so a one size fits all doesn't work.

Besides there are near 7 billion people in the world, I'm sure we can afford some duplication of effort.

The problem with OPIE

[TekZen]

I hate that whoever stole my Zaurus 2 years ago has a free way to put an OS back on the device!
Argh!

But, I will probably install OPIE when I save up enough cash to but the next Zaurus [dynamism.com].

-Jackson support the cause [sourceforge.net]

dual clamshell and portrait mode goodness

[jensend]

Now if sharp would just release a C7xx-like Zaurus for the US market... (yes, I'm aware of the translation hacks, no, I'm not interested in those)