[NTLUG:Discuss] PDAs & Linux

[kbrannen@gte.net]

Vaidya, Harshal (Cognizant) wrote:
> Instead of going in for a PDA I'd recommend you to go in for a best in the
> market smartphone. It will satisfy two things for you in the same price
> which you otherwise would have spent over buying only a PDA.

Hmm, if you think they are similiar in price, I'd love to see what you're 
talking about.  The present choice (if I were to buy today) would be a Sony 
Clie SJ22, which I saw in a store the other day for $99, IIRC.  Price is a 
major consideration for me as this will be my first PDA, so as I'm not totally 
sure what it will be like, I don't want to spend too much in case I hate it. 
:-)  If it all works out, the 2nd one will be much nicer.

> Just in case you are not aware of the mobile computing world, a smartphone
> is a cell phone + a PDA rolled into one. In near future PDA's will be
> extinct and will be completely replaced by smartphones.

I'm not so sure about that.  The thought of combining those 2 units have no 
appeal to me whatsoever.  I mean, how do you use the PDA part when you've got 
the unit up side your head?  (and I don't care for the ear bud / microphone 
wire things)  Plus I already have a cell phone which I like. :-)

...
> AFAIK smart phones can perform almost 60%-80% of all the tasks a PDA can
> perform. Wait a year more and PDA's would be outdated.One of the best
> smartphone available is the one Motorola offers. Moreover, it is the first
> of its kind with Linux at its heart. All the others either run Symbian or
> crappy WinCE or Windwos for mobiles. I dont really remember the make and
> the model number of this Motorola masterpiece but I am sure a quick google
> search will give you the appropriate information.
> 
> I am sure the above explanation wont be enough to encourage you for a
> smartphone, but I would like you to at least go to the motorola site and
> read about it.

Nope, doesn't sound like it fits me.  If I were to desire one of the highend 
PDAs then maybe, but I only want a basic PDA.  Don't need web access, no 
wireless, no audio (for MP3/Ogg); just simple document viewing, very basic 
contact info, a way to keep track of account/id/password type info, and Linux 
upload/download capability.

I once got to play with a Nokia 9000 (ran Symbian) for about a week, that was 
very cool because of the large screen; but it was hideously expensive at the 
time and way overkill for my needs.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Kevin


> -----Original Message----- From: kbrannen at gte.net
> 
> I think I'm finally about to take the plunge and buy a PDA.  My
> requirements are few, but one of them is being able to sync to Linux. :-)
> Note, that's sync to, not run (I need it to run PalmOS).  It's primary
> purpose will be to hold ebooks:  text, PDF, HTML; both technical and
> pleasure.  I think I've narrowed the choices down to the Palm m500 and one
> of the Sony Clie` (I'm leaning this way because of the scroll wheel);
> though I'm open others if offered good reasons. ;-)
...