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#182396 - 02/10/2003 11:06 Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi?
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
Is there a good PDA / Palmtop that runs (or can run) Linux, has a Compact Flash slot as well as WiFi (preferably internal)?

There are plenty of devices that have a mixture of the above, but I really need something that has all of those features.

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#182397 - 02/10/2003 12:33 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: ricin]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
The Zaurus meets all those specs, but the WiFi takes up the CF slot, so that may not be what you want.
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#182398 - 02/10/2003 12:44 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: wfaulk]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
That was one of the ones I was talking about that almost has all of the features.

I have a 5500 sitting here that is perfect, and works just fine, aside from the fact that I can't have the CF barcode scanner and CF WiFi card in it at the same time.
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#182399 - 02/10/2003 12:52 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: ricin]
wfaulk
carpal tunnel

Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
How about the American Microsystems M7100, which has builtin 802.11b and a builtin scanner?
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#182400 - 02/10/2003 12:59 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: wfaulk]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
That would definitely work, although the ~ $2k price might scare my boss. A fairly small laptop/tablet PC could be had for that price. I'm trying to find something that is smaller than a laptop, but still has all the features and is ~ $1k or so. Think that's asking too much?
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#182401 - 06/10/2003 08:37 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: ricin]
brendan
new poster

Registered: 15/07/2003
Posts: 15
I'm using a zaurus (SL-C700), wireless networking *and* keeping my CF slot open. How? There are actually 3 IO ports on the Zaurus, the CF slot, the SD slot and the zaurus connector, which contains USB-client, serial and power connections. There's a product called AirCable which is a serial port to Bluetooth bridge, that snaps right onto the zaurus connector. So, with the zaurus, the aircable and a T610, I've got wireless (but slow) internet access, anywhere the phone can get a GPRS connection.

http://www.aircable.net/

-brendan

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#182402 - 06/10/2003 09:53 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: brendan]
cushman
veteran

Registered: 21/01/2002
Posts: 1380
Loc: Erie, CO
Bluetooth != WiFi (802.11)
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#182403 - 06/10/2003 10:05 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: brendan]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
Interesting, but not exactly what I'm looking for. If there was a device that plugged into the connector and provided a PS/2 or USB port I'd be set.
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#182404 - 07/10/2003 14:12 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: cushman]
brendan
new poster

Registered: 15/07/2003
Posts: 15
> Bluetooth != WiFi (802.11)
True, but it works for me.

> If there was a device that plugged into the connector and provided a PS/2 or USB port I'd be set.

What are you planning to connect to it?

-brendan

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#182405 - 07/10/2003 14:42 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: brendan]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
A barcode scanner.
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#182406 - 08/10/2003 12:44 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: ricin]
FlibblE
journeyman

Registered: 16/02/2000
Posts: 94
Loc: UK - NE Wales
I know it's not Linux but I've got a project on in work at the moment - I'm going to be using a Palm based PDA. The one I'm using is a Tungsten C (or it could be W - I always get them mixed up) it's got WiFi built in and an SDIO slot which a barcode scanner from www.socketcom.com should fit into nicely, as soon as it's available!

I take it you've already seen their products though?

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#182407 - 08/10/2003 12:49 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: FlibblE]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
Yep, actually, I have the barcode scanner from them. It works great with the Zaurus, but the problem is having both the barcode scanner AND WiFi at the same time. The whole point of this is to be able to walk around and use it to do inventory counts, etc live into the database.
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#182408 - 08/10/2003 14:35 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: ricin]
djc
enthusiast

Registered: 08/08/2000
Posts: 351
Loc: chicago
if linux is not a hard requirement, then the Symbol SPT 1800 looks to be exactly what you need. i think there are other manufacturers in the same product space, with choices of pocketpc models, too.

don't underestimate the importance of a ruggedized unit for use in a warehouse environment. something like a tungsten c/w/e is not built to handle a drop on a concrete floor, and it wouldn't last very long in the hands of a typical warehouse worker.

disclaimer: my dad is a reseller/integrator of symbol products (and some competing lines), and his firm works with applications like this all the time. i've even written some custom code for some of their clients who lacked in-house development.

good luck,
--dan.

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#182409 - 08/10/2003 15:00 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: djc]
ricin
veteran

Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
Yep, we use those (and other Symbol models) in our warehouse.

This won't be for a warehouse environment, it'll be in-store. I've tried to push the idea of using these in other areas as it would make support and maintenance that much easier, but they seem to want to go with something different and I haven't really heard a straight answer as to why. My guess is cost.
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#182410 - 16/10/2003 08:08 Re: Linux PDA / Palmtop with CF and WiFi? [Re: ricin]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
This might interest you:

ISTR you can install linux on an IPaq.

EDIT: oops...it has SD not CF...sorry. I suppose it could be paired with this SDIO barcode reader
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