Using a Linux PDA
with a Linux Desktop

By: Kevin Moseley

07/05/05

Why I did this

Ability to keep calendar on PDA and desktop

Ability to store contacts, todo items, etc...

Got a free PDA and wanted to run Linux on device.

Comparison to Pocket PC.

Wanted to be able to check email and surf the web from the PDA

Geek factor – because I could.

Steps in process

Acquire PDA that has a Linux distro for it.

Install Linux on desktop and PDA.

Configure PDA and desktop for syncing.

Sounds easy right? Not exactly.

Assumptions

PDA is a Compaq ipaq h3955 with wireless connectivity.

PDA is running the opie 1.2 release of familiar Linux.

Desktop is a HP zd7000 laptop running Slackware Linux 10.1 (KDE) with wireless connectivity.

Steps for install Linux
on a PDA

Read the release notes.

Check the prerequisites.

Download necessary files.

Install or upgrade boot loader.

Choose installation method.

Post-installation.

Read the release notes

Pretty self explanatory... Check for issues that might affect your installation.

Check Prerequisites

Verify that your hardware is supported.

Failure to check and double check can leave you with a brick.

Download required files

Select which front-end for Familiar Linux you will download.

You have the choice of opie (more kde like) or gpe (more gnome like).

You will also need to download a boot loader at this point as well.

Methods for bootldr install

ActiveSync (Windows)

Synce (Linux)

Using a CF/MMC/SD

Using FTP

Using Pocket IE

Installing boot loader

I used the ActiveSync method since I had a (gasp!!) Windows PC.

I was also running pocket pc 2k3 on the PDA at the time.

Copy bootloader and bootblaster to PDA.

Run bootblaster.

Be sure to take a backup of the current boot loader, it is your safety net from a brick.

If completes successfully, continue on.

If all went well

If all work successfully, you should see this when you boot.

Image upload methods

Serial port

Compact Flash sleeve.

Install via serial cable

The ipaq I used required a serial connection to install Linux.

On the boot loader screen, select serial boot.

At boot prompt type load root.

Use zmodem to upload image to PDA. The image is 15 MB.

Wait...

Wait...

This portion of the installation takes approx. 30 minutes.

Post-install

After upload and flashing, reboot.

You will boot into the configuration routine. Answer some questions, set time zone, etc..

Default root password is blank so... CHANGE IT!!!!!

Set PDA time by running ntpdate -b time.handhelds.org

Upgrade to latest by running ipkg update and ipkg upgrade.

Syncing PDA with Laptop
and vice-versa.

For this situation, I used Kontact and Mutisync. (These are included in KDE 3.3 and higher.

The PDA has its own sync software in the distro.

You can sync via the USB cradle using USB networking or via a wireless network.

On the desktop

Launch Kontact

Select the Multisync menu

Click on new sync item.

Configure accordingly.

First plugin should be Qtopia Konnector. This will establish the remote connection.

Second should be Local Konnector. This will sync the local and remote information.

Also set the synchronize options for your desired setting.

On the ipaq

Goto the settings tab

Click on Security

Select sync

Set accept sync from network: to be the network you are on.

Select Opie 1.0 as the sync software.

Demonstration

For the demonstration I will create a record on the desktop and the ipaq and sync them together.

I will also demonstrate the resolution system for conflicting entries.

Limitations

Cannot initiate sync from PDA, only from desktop.

Cannot sync mail from the desktop to the PDA.

Useful Links

Handhelds.org

www.kde.org - for Kontact information and howtos'

Q&A

I will answer any questions that you may have.

Welcome.

Introduction:

Name

Occupation

Experience

I received a free pda that did not work with Linux installed on my laptop.

Faced with the choice of installing Windows on my laptop or Linux on my PDA. I did not want to boot into Windows to use my PDA

Wanted to compare usability with a PDA running Linux and Windows.

Because of the geek factor.

Step 1: Check to see if a distribution supports the PDA you either own or are planning to buy.

Step2: Install Linux on the PDA and desktop.

Step 3: Configure PDA and desktop for syncing.

The model h3955 ipaq is pretty well supported by familiar Linux. Check handhelds.org for PDA's supported.

This is specific for a Linux desktop running the KDE desktop. This setup uses tools that are available with KDE so it should work with any distro running KDE 3.3 or higher. I am sure that GNOME sync is available.

If I can do it on Slackware, you can do it on your distro.

This is the procedure for installing Linux on a PDA.

I make no guarantee that these instructions will work in your situation. You attempt this installation at your own risk.

This step is very important. You hardware cannot be kind of like what they support. You have to see your exact model.

Otherwise, you are taking a risk of having to send the unit back to the manufacturer for a reflashing.

handhelds.org has a great wizard online for assuring that you download the correct files.

It steps you through the entire process process from beginning to end.

Here are the various methods for installing a new boot loader.

I used the ActiveSync method and as such I do not have experience with the other methods. Details can be found at handhelds .org for the other methods.

Copy the bootloader and boot blaster to the PDA using ActiveSync.

Start/Programs/File Explorer. Run BootBlaster.

Execute Flash/Save Bootloader to make backup of current bootloader. You can also backup your Wince install as well.

Flash/Program select the bootloader file. Wait patiently until complete.

Flash/Verify – If it says you have a valid boot loader, proceed. Otherwise, restore backup boot loader.

I did not have a CF card at the time of installation so I was forced to use the serial installation. The CF method would most likely be faster.

This part of the installation took approx 30 minutes for the image to upload to the ipaq. It took an additional 5 minutes for the image to install itself.

The default root password is blank. I highly recommend you change it.

During the config routine it asks standard questions like what time zone, If you want the documents tab to scan for documents, etc..

It is important to run the update program in order to receive the latest updates. The is a package manager so this is a piece of cake.

Kontact is KDE's PIM (Personal Information Manager). It includes the sync software built into the application. This makes it extremely easy to setup syncing.

Also, the PDA has its own sync software that works best with KDE.

I am sure that GNOME and GPE have a method for syncing but since I use KDE I did not investigate that avenue.

As the steps above detail, this is the method for configuring multisync. One issue that held me up was the use of two plugins to complete the syncing.

Once I figured this out, everything went smoothly.

Again, fairly simple configuration from the ipaq angle. You can use either Qtopia or Opie.

I have not seen a difference between the two when syncing with multisync.

Time for the demonstration. I will be demoing the syncing of the desktop and PDA. I will first add an entry into the desktop. I will make it a contact entry.

On the PDA, I will enter a new calendar entry and then sync the PDA with the desktop.

I will then delete the contact entry from the PDA and the calendar entry from the desktop to show the conflict resolution.

I have not seen a method for starting the sync from the PDA. I would like this feature as I may enter something and not be at my desktop.

I have not yet figured out how to sync the mail between the desktop and PDA. I would like this feature but it was not a showstopper for me.

Here are some useful links that I found helpful in getting this project working. As always, google is your friend.

Kevin Moseley

2005-06-07T20:38:52