Re: [newbie] 560 series

Well, since I made this post, I've found out a lot more, so I'll
answer some of my own questions here, for the benefit of other
newbies.

> ...I believe I will need
 > to buy a serial cable to do this. Anyone know where to get one, in the
> UK, that will connect to it?

I think this "Universal Autosync Cable"
(http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=J560USBSERY) from
expansys.com should do the job (not badly priced, and you can get one
from the American site, too
(http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?code=J560USBSERY)). :-)

> I'm not actually sure which 560 it is. When I look at "Memory" in
> "Settings" (on the current software), it says "Total main memory:
> 63.32 MB". Does that mean 32 SDRAM, and 32 Flash ROM, and that it's a
> 565, or does it just refer to 64 SDRAM and that it's a 568?

It's a 568, so the "Total main memory" just refers to SDRAM. I found
this out by looking at the part number in the battery compartment. It
was at this point that I found out that the backup battery in my
Jornada is useless, and I lost my data. I have since replaced the
backup battery, but it still doesn't work.

My part number is "F2915A". These part numbers can be matched against
the model numbers at
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&docname=bpia2372&lc=en

> When looking on the 560 page on the handhelds.org site, it says that
> there isn't support for sound on this device. Does anyone know whether
> this page is out of date, or whether I can hack sound support? Among
> other things, I'd like to install a 1G CF card, and use it as an MP3
> (actually OGG) player.

There is still no sound support. This is somewhat of an essential for
me. As I've started to use the Jornada, I've found the audible
reminders to be invaluable. I've come to realise that battery life may
be a bit of an issue if used as an OGG player, but I'd still like to
try.

I'm hoping to do some work on sound support, but the OpenEmbedded
platform is proving to be troublesome.

> Also, what are the main differences between OPIE, and GPE? Do either
> or both of them have handwriting recognition? I impressed my wife with
> that feature, and I don't want her to complain when it becomes a Linux
> device. ;-)

Ok, the main differences are that GPE is GTK+-based, and OPIE is
KDE-based. Basically, if you're an Ubuntu person, you'll probably like
GPE; if you're a Kubuntu person, you'll probably like OPIE. OPIE looks
a bit more colourful and fun, but I'm going to try GPE, cos I want to
use gnumeric (I'll be even happier when there's gpe-cash).

I have heard there is an issue with the touchscreen calibration in
GPE, but apparently you just cancel the normal calibration and use
ts_calibrate.

> ...And I'd like to be able to sync it
> with my Ubuntu box. In fact, can it be sync'ed with my Ubuntu box
> while it's still running Windows?

That was a bad sentence. The "Windows" was referring to the Jornada,
and should probably have read "Pocket PC". Anyway... the Jornada can,
apparently, be sync'ed with Ubuntu through use of Multisync and Synce.
As far as I understand, the Synce part is only needed because it's
still an MS device and Multisync on its own should do the job when
I've got Linux on it.

One other thing, the status page
(http://handhelds.org/projects/jornada56x.html) tells how to download
the bootblaster and bootloader, but then tells you to follow the
instructions for the H3xxx Ipaqs. If you do this, you won't be given
the option to download an image for the Jornada; you have to get them
from http://familiar.handhelds.org/releases/v0.8.2/install/files/

Hope all that's helpful to someone.

Michael.