[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux PDA

[Pat Regan]

 tr_data1 wrote:
> In the meantime, I'm looking into a PDA solution. I'd like to see what
> Linux based PDAs bought/hand-brewed there are (Palm or non-Palm).
> An ideal PDA would be easy to read, even outside. Great resolution
> and in color. Primary usage is calendar/reminder. Also, I'd like to
> hear what other people use successfully (non-PDA ideas). Please
> don't flood NTLUG with non-Linux ideas.
> =TR=
> 

I have no idea if this will be helpful for you, but I figured I'd throw
in my two cents.

I have an old battered Palm Vx, and I haven't found anything that would
be a suitable replacement yet.  I have no idea what the battery life was
like on your Palm III, but the rechargeable battery in my Vx used to
last me through 3-4 weeks of use when I first got it (age of the battery
has that down to about 1-2 weeks, tops).

I have absolutely no trouble reading the screen in direct sunlight, I
use it to keep score on the golf course all the time.  The reason you
can read these old Palms so well in the daylight is because they are
made to be used without a backlight.

Consumers get very excited over color screens that constantly have the
backlight on.  I don't want that, it just reduces the battery life.  I
have no need for color.  I would really like a Palm about the same size
or smaller than my Vx but with a much higher resolution screen.  I am
sure that isn't likely to happen though, because everyone wants bright
shiny colors :p.

My Vx is also quite sturdy.  Some friends were borrowing it to datalog a
car with.  One of them set it down on the backside of the someone's car,
and a short while later they drove off.  They found it a little ways
down the road, I believe it was on Belt Line in Garland.

It has a little road rash, and since then the digitizer needs to be
calibrated once a month or so...  But other than that it is good as new
:p.

Pat