GameBoy Advanced Emulator

Samantha wanted some games so I looked into a Gameboy Advance emulator. Got the unit so keepin it legal with the ROMs and all... Hope Brandon wants some for the GBA SP so I can get those too soon. :>


Installation:
Downloaded and installed gnuboy_1.0.3-qtopia2-1_arm.ipk from http://www.slac.com/~mpilone/projects/qtopiagnuboy.phtml.

Also downloaded and installed libSDL from http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=448 which is required for gnuboy_1.0.3-qtopia2-1_arm.ipk.

While searching for ROMs I cam across an updated emulator qtopiagnuboy_1.0.3-qtopia3-1_arm.ipk at http://www.warmi.net/zaurus/gnuboy.shtml that boasted better speed so I installed it and it seems to work fine. I don't know if libSDL is required for v3-1 or not. I just left it on.

Playin:
The emulator installs to the Game tab and looks to be working fine with some test ROMs. Just click the emulator icon, enter the path to your ROMs and click Apply. Select a ROM and click Launch and you're in business!

There is slim to no documentation that I can find. Looks like it's trial and error for figuring out the controls for games. Turns out it works it's just super slow in loading.

Games:
ROM list at http://www.rom-world.com/index.php

Alias command for terminal

This is for any command that is not in the $PATH envvar.

Added alias for samba command in root .profile so I don't have to enter the whole path to the command when ssh'ing in. Also added symbolic link in /home/zaurus for when opening terminal.

When ssh/telnet in:
1. su - root
2. vi .profile
3. go to the end of the file and add this line
alias samba='/etc/rc.d/init.d/samba'
4. Save and quit vi

When on Zaurus terminal:
1. be sure you're in the home directory by typing:
cd ~
2. Create wymbolic link to samba command by typing:
ln -s /etc/rc.d/init.d/samba samba

That's all there is to it. Now if you want to turn on or off samba you simply type the command 'samba start/stop'

Froot - like Snood

Great game called Froot is just like Snood!! Has worked flawless for me every time.

Download at http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=133.

Samba Sharing

Samba is already on the Zaurus. All you have to do is configure the correct files and you will have an accessible share. SSH'd in to configure the smb.conf file.




Steps found at http://www.users.on.net/~hluc/myZaurus/custom.html. Search for "Enabling Samba over wireless".

Modify /usr/lib/samba/smb.conf
1. add eth0 to line with "interfaces = usb0
2. add line hosts allow 192.168.1. (or whatever your IP range is)
3. Add share at bottom of file
[zaurus_share]
comment = for Sharing Data
path = /mnt/card
short preserve case = no
read only = no
guest ok = yes
force user = zaurus
4. su root
5. /etc/rc.d/init.d/samba start
6. From a windows box hit the UNC for the Z
\\192.168.1.1\share_name

I set path=/mnt/card so I can copy straight to the SD Card and run the ipk through VNC.

Open SSH

Getting Samba configured and vi is freaking out! Installing OpenSSH to get into the system and mod files.

Install server, client and add ons:
http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=1035

Gonna need a windows SSH like Putty to hook in.

Package install then reboot and all works great!

VNC baby!!!

Went over to Crow's house and we are workin on this and that and he got VNC working both ways on the Z! So we're sittin there lookin at VNC on the laptop but not able to click anything. After some searchin he finds it needs Zlib to be able to control the Z. Wow I don't have the patience for that kind of stuff!

Files needed to get VNC server/viewer workin on Z:
FB VNC Server
Keypebble VNC viewer
Zlib

Installed Server then Viewer then Zlib then did reboot. Everything works great right out of the box!!

1. Click VNC Server Launch
2. Under Server Options choose the GUI to see when VNCing in (I like Fancy with Face Panel)
3. Set password if you want (restart server to enable password)
4. Click OK and hit it from another computer

Screenshot of Z from laptop

Palm SciFi eBook Arrived!

Finally got my Palm eBook! It took 8 days but for $2.74 and free shipping I ain't complaining. Ordered from Amazon.com: PalmOne PalmPak eBook Series: Sci-Fi (m125, m130, i705 & m500 series)

I came across an eBook reader when first reading up on the Z so figured I'd get this and read it in my wife's M130 if I couldn't get it working. So I found a reader at http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=573 and installed the ipx. Not working. Found http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=466 and installed.

Well, nothing is working so unless I come across a working eReader I'll probably just convert the pdb into something the Z will read until I can get a configuration that works for them.

mySQL

Installed mySQL ipx from http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=237 without a problem.

Opened up terminal and tested mysqld start with no apparent problems. So it works and now I need to get into the command line for mySQL. I have been using GUI interface on PC and haven't needed to learn the command line yet.

Saw some posts with good results from SQLite so will check into that as an alternative on the Z.

Linksys WCF12 wifi configuration

This is the setup of my network configuration for
WCF12 wifi CF card:





1. Tap the Setup tab and tap the Network icon
2. Tap Edit menu option and choose New
3. Select Wireless LAN - TCP/IP then tap Add
4. Under Account tab enter a descriptive name for the connection
5. Under Config tab uncheck the Non-Spec EES-ID: "ANY" box
6. Enter SSID in the ESS-ID block
7. Select Infrastructure for the Network Type
8. Leave defaults for the rest (update WEP when enabled)
9. Click OK

That's my current setup.

Linksys WCF12 wifi CF Card

My bro says a config file needs edited for 2.38 installation. However, I installed after 3.1 upgrade and it was automatically detected!! Quick wifi config entries and on to Opera for some browsing!!

See Step-by-Step for network configuration.

The Card!!

The Zaurus SL-5500

The Zaurus 5500 is a PDA running Linux OS! For the price, you can't beat the it with the open source compatibility. There is a huge user group that have already written or altered packages to run efficiently on this device.






Here is the hardware stats:
* Intel StrongARM SA-1110 206MHz processor
* The operating system is based on the Lineo Embedix operating system. Embedix is built specifically for various platforms with SA, ARM or SH processors and is seamlessly integrated into any of these platforms.
* Opera Browser - The Opera browser is a Linux-based web browser desgined to take advantage of the Zaurus SL-5500's form factor (i.e. screen size and memory usage). The browser featured here is version 5.0 and it takes up less than 3MB of memory to run. It executes and displays complex HTML, JavaScript and Java Applets (using plug-ins).
* Insignia Jeode JVM (Java Virtual Machine) - The Insignia Jeode is based on Insignia's Java virtual machine environment built for the PDA. It incorporates the Jeode EJVM runtime engine which is Sun's Authorized Virtual Machine. It's compatible with the PersonalJava specification, and it further supports all PersonalJava 1.2 class libraries, including optional classes. This gives the Zaurus SL-5500 the added ability to run Java-based applets.
* Qtopia for Embedix Plus PDA - Qtopia is an application environment for Embedded Linux. Basically, it provides users with an intuitive and simple graphical user interface in addition to its wide range of business productivity applications already available as part of the package. The Zaurus SL-5500 features a specifically built Qtopia environment for the Embedix Plus operating system and in it, you'll find the familiar personal information management (PIM) system, Internet content, entertainment, and the ability to synchronize the PDA's information across multiple desktop operating systems.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Processor:
Intel StrongARM SA-1110 (206MHz)

Platform:
Linux based embedded OS (Embedix) QT Palmtop Environment
Personal Java

Display:
Reflective TFT LCD with Front Light (touch sensitive panel supported)
3.5" with 240x320 pixel, 65,536 colors

Memory:
64MB SDRAM
16MB Flash ROM

Input Device:
Touch Panel
QWERTY keyboard with slide cover

Card Slot:
One CompactFlash card slot
One SD card slot (without copyright protection feature)

I/O Port:
Serial / USB (via docking station port)
IR port

Sound:
Stereo headphone jack included
Audio input (mono)
Buzzer/alarm

Built-in Functions:
Personal Information Manager - Calendar, Address Book, To-Do and Memo
E-mail Client - POP3, SMTP, IMAP4
Web Browser - Equiv, HTML 4.0
MS Word & Excel Compatibility - Yes
Document Browser - Yes
Help Browser - Yes
Media Player - supports MPEG-1, MP3
PIM Data IR transfer - Yes, unit to unit
Camera Application - Yes, optional
Voice Recorder - Yes, requires add-on microphone
Add-on Application - built-in support for add-on applications
PC Synchronization - Qtopia and Intellisync for SL (synchronize with Outlook)

Power:
Replaceable lithium-ion battery pack
EA-70 AC Adaptor (100-240VAC, 50/60Hz)

Included Accessories:
Docking Station (USB)
AC Adapter and Power Cord
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Stylus
Display Protection
CF Slot Protection Card

Weight:
6.63oz / 187.95g (without protection cover)
7.3oz / 206.95g (including protection cover)

Dimensions:
2.9" W x 5.4" H x 0.7" D (without protection cover)
2.9" W x 5.4" H x 0.8" D (including protection cover)

My New Z!!!!

Ordered the Zaurus

Well I have to admit I did minimal research on this unit. My bro crow did all the leg work finding this thing and seeing the benefits of a pure Linux system running on a PDA!!

He found the Z for $164.95 on geeks.com with free shipping. He also found a highly compatible Linksys WCF12 card on amazon.com for $33.15. Basically, I ordered what he did. :>

I need to get CF and SD memory cards yet but will be working mostly on web and Java development so I won't be getting GPS cards or anything like that which he will no doubt be doing next! hehe :>

Anyway, He got Sharp ROM 3.1 going and walked me through the upgrade procedures which went off without a hitch. I will put procedures in the Step-by-Step category soon. The only thing I've put on remotely resembling being of any worth is mySQL. Which runs awesome on the Z! I will be installing Apache, PHP and a Java dev env also.

So all in all I am extremely impressed with this device and hope to learn a lot from it and do as much as I can on it to replace pulling out the laptop.