Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds,comp.sys.psion.misc (More info?)

Note: Crossposted to comp.sys.psion.misc, but follow-ups set to
comp.sys.handhelds. Sorry if this annoys anyone too much.

This is (hopefully) not just another "which handheld should I buy" topic;
rather, I'm looking for any "real-life" experiences from people who've used
the machines below (or anything similar) -- things like "It's OK, but the
xxx becomes really annoying", or "xxx feature is absolutely wonderful".
Thanks in advance to any responders.

I'm currently using a Psion 5mx. Very happy with it, but there are things
it can't do, and it won't last forever. At the moment, I'm looking at two
areas: a PDA and ultra-compact PCs.

One of the most important features that originally attracted me to Psions
was the ability to "self program" on them: with OPL, you not only have a
fairly powerful language, but you can develop on the device itself. You
don't _have_ to work with a PC-based SDK.

Sticking with a PDA-type device, there's:

Sharp Zaurus SL-C860/C3000

Only available by import to the UK (has anyone had particularly bad
experiences doing this?). Given that it's Linux-based, you can probably
"self-program" by loading gcc, but what else is there? Are there any
packages that are "OPL-like" that either come with the machine or are
freely available?

(OPL, if not known: basic-like syntax; can easily use dialog boxes, menus
etc., can be extended with OPXs (similar to DLLs). Very handy for simple
"knock together" apps, but can handle some quite serious programming if
needed).

The other route I'm considering is a more portable Windows PC than a
laptop; the ones that have caught my eye are:

OQO Ultra Portable Notebooks
Fujitsu LifeBook P1120
Sony VAIO VGN-U50/U71P

Programming-wise I can use VB/VC or pretty much anything else that I could
on a desktop PC, so the main questions are how "handicapped" they are by
their smaller size? What are their keyboards like? Obviously the Sony has
a separate keyboard, so cannot be used stood up on the train as the others
look like they can. How well _can_ the OQO or the P1120 be used on the
move?

Again, thanks for all responses. If you don't want to clutter the ng, feel
free to email me.


Regards,
Graham Holden (g-holden AT dircon DOT co DOT uk)
--
There are 10 types of people in the world;
those that understand binary and those that don't.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

Graham Holden wrote:
> ...
> I'm currently using a Psion 5mx. Very happy with it, but there are things
> it can't do, and it won't last forever. At the moment, I'm looking at two
> areas: a PDA and ultra-compact PCs.
>
> One of the most important features that originally attracted me to Psions
> was the ability to "self program" on them: with OPL, you not only have a
> fairly powerful language, but you can develop on the device itself. You
> don't _have_ to work with a PC-based SDK.
>

You can install the correponding sdk on all device you quoted in your post.

> Sticking with a PDA-type device, there's:
>
> Sharp Zaurus SL-C860/C3000
>
> Only available by import to the UK (has anyone had particularly bad
> experiences doing this?). Given that it's Linux-based, you can probably
> "self-program" by loading gcc, but what else is there? Are there any
> packages that are "OPL-like" that either come with the machine or are
> freely available?

gcc + python + perl + whatever you can compile for Linux ARM. Most old Psion
5mx users don't like Qtopia (the Sharp UI) nor the Qtopia default
applications design, nor the synchronisation tools. As a programmer, I like
the Trolltech Qt toolkit but dislike the corresponding PDA sdk. There is a
too big gap between programming for Windows Mobile (VB, .NET, VCC...) and
programming for Linux PDA when they run Qtopia.

If you can install Linux on a PC, get Qtopia source code and have a look
before buying. It's easier to start programming in C++ for Zaurus than for
Symbian device thought (as long as you don't need something too complicated
requiring something else than Qt).


> (OPL, if not known: basic-like syntax; can easily use dialog boxes, menus
> etc., can be extended with OPXs (similar to DLLs). Very handy for simple
> "knock together" apps, but can handle some quite serious programming if
> needed).

You will perhaps like Python. It's more powerful than OPL. It doen't have a
very cool editor (no WYSIWYG editor) but OPL didn't have one too. And you
will certainly need to build it yourself (I mean to compile one from
source)

>
> The other route I'm considering is a more portable Windows PC than a
> laptop; the ones that have caught my eye are:
>
> OQO Ultra Portable Notebooks

Good. Not very fast but fast enough. As fast as most Windows XP tablet I
think. Enough memory to run VB or VCC. I like it but it is too expensive.

> Fujitsu LifeBook P1120

Good. Not very fast but fast enough. As fast as most Windows XP tablet I
think. Bigger. Enough memory to run VB or VCC. Better keyboard for typing
with two hands.

> Sony VAIO VGN-U50/U71P

External usb keyboard
Never tested

> Regards,
> Graham Holden (g-holden AT dircon DOT co DOT uk)
> --
> There are 10 types of people in the world;
> those that understand binary and those that don't.

--
,,,
(._.)
/|\+\\
\|/ @u(==-

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

Captain's log. On StarDate Thu, 24 Feb 2005 13:21:32 +0000 received comm from
Graham Holden <look@bottom.of.post> on channel comp.sys.psion.misc:

: The other route I'm considering is a more portable Windows PC than a
: laptop; the ones that have caught my eye are:
:
: OQO Ultra Portable Notebooks
: Fujitsu LifeBook P1120
: Sony VAIO VGN-U50/U71P

Sorry, I have not used this machine, but migth be worth concidering and asking
other people who have used it:

http://www.dialogue.com.tw/english [...] duct01.htm
http://www.lionscomputers.com/Flybook_zoom.jpg

martin törnsten

--
martinot@gmail.com

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 10:12:51 +0100, Martin Törnsten <martinot@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Captain's log. On StarDate Thu, 24 Feb 2005 13:21:32 +0000 received comm from
>Graham Holden <look@bottom.of.post> on channel comp.sys.psion.misc:
>
>: The other route I'm considering is a more portable Windows PC than a
>: laptop; the ones that have caught my eye are:
>:
>: OQO Ultra Portable Notebooks
>: Fujitsu LifeBook P1120
>: Sony VAIO VGN-U50/U71P
>
>Sorry, I have not used this machine, but migth be worth concidering and asking
>other people who have used it:
>
>http://www.dialogue.com.tw/english-flybook/product/product01.htm
>http://www.lionscomputers.com/Flybook_zoom.jpg
>
>martin törnsten

Thanks (and also to AM Christophe for your reply).

Regards,
Graham Holden (g-holden AT dircon DOT co DOT uk)
--
There are 10 types of people in the world;
those that understand binary and those that don't.

Archived from groups: comp.sys.handhelds (More info?)

I have 2 of the fujitsu p1120s (one for my wife), and they kick ass! Had
them for over a year and a half now. With the extended battery I get about
7 actual work hours out of one. The touch screen works great (use overhead
transparencies for screen protectors) and they're pretty tough: I was moving
one in my study, holding it up high so that the power cord could reach around
the corner of the desk and I had completely forgotten about the ceiling fan,
which hit the screen, knocked it from my hand, across the room, where it
crashed to the hardwood floor. It was on when this happened. Keys flew off
of the keyboard. The touch screen doesn't work any longer, but everything
else still works great! best laptops I'v ever had. Light & small too.
nate

In message <k5ld219g90veq0c4gf0agg9hl73jljfcjg@4ax.com>, Martin T?rnsten
<martinot@gmail.com> wrote:
Captain's log. On StarDate Thu, 24 Feb 2005 13:21:32 +0000 received comm from
Graham Holden <look@bottom.of.post> on channel comp.sys.psion.misc:

: The other route I'm considering is a more portable Windows PC than a
: laptop; the ones that have caught my eye are:
:
: OQO Ultra Portable Notebooks
: Fujitsu LifeBook P1120
: Sony VAIO VGN-U50/U71P

Sorry, I have not used this machine, but migth be worth concidering and asking
other people who have used it:

http://www.dialogue.com.tw/english [...] duct01.htm
http://www.lionscomputers.com/Flybook_zoom.jpg

martin t?rnsten

--
martinot@gmail.com
-- Don't cry... it's almost over.
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