nanogui: Thread: Microwindows PDA operating environment binary distribution available for iPAQ

Century Software Embedded Technologies is announcing a freely
redistributable binary distribution of our Microwindows based PDA 
operating environment and toolkit for the iPAQ.  This distribution 
provides a fully functional screentop, web browser, terminal emulator,
popup keyboard and handwriting recognition as the basis for
development and execution of other Microwindows-based graphics 
applications for the iPAQ.

Screenshots are available at
ftp://embedded.centurysoftware.com/pub/ipaq/ScreenShots

The binary distribution is available in RPM format for both the
iPAQ itself and for x86-based Linux desktops running X11.  The
iPAQ binaries are downloaded onto the iPAQ using the serial
link and replace the original operating environment.  This package
is available at:
ftp://embedded.centurysoftware.com/pub/ipaq/ipaq-arm-bin-1.00-0.rpm

The desktop X11 binaries allow the evaluation and demonstration of
the entire iPAQ environment within a 240x320 window on the desktop
under KDE or Gnome.  This is accomplished using the Microwindows
X11 screen driver with all applications compiled for x86 rather than ARM.
This package is available at:
ftp://embedded.centurysoftware.com/pub/ipaq/ipaq-x86-bin-1.00-0.rpm

The Microwindows operating environment for the iPAQ includes the 
following technologies:

The Microwindows Project graphical windowing environment, 
including touchscreen calibrator, popup keyboard and handwriting 
recognition, based on microwindows-0.89pre5. (http://microwindows.org)

The ViewML Project embedded internet browser, an HTML v3.2 
compatible web browser with a 2Mb ram footprint, based on 
viewml-0.18. (http://www.viewml.com)

The FLNX Fast Light Tool Kit widget set and libraries, based on 
flnx-0.14. (http://www.viewml.com)

A specialized "ScreenTop" window manager, developed by Century
Software, handles the look and feel and operating environment for the
PDA.  The ScreenTop is customizable with a configuration
file that allows various directories to be searched and displayed as
icons, as well as specifying custom titles and icons for various 
applications.  In addition, the ScreenTop handles the PDA taskbar
and controls the appearance of the applications on the display.

A set of applications including a terminal emulator, load monitor, 
clock, battery monitor, backlight switch and date/time, 
developed by Century Software.

We will be setting up a specialized mailing list to handle discussion
of this distribution, check out http://embedded.centurysoftware.com for
details.  Although this distribution is free, Century Software plans on 
producing a commercially available, supported product in the near
future with enhanced documentation for less technical people to
develop embedded graphical software applications for PDAs and
webpads.

Check it out and have fun!

Regards,

Greg

Dear Mr. Greg Haerr,
I am currently working on Intel SA1110(Assabet) evaluation board. Is it
possible that I could easily modify the Microwindows PDA operating
environment binary and port it to Assabet?
Please give me some guidance.
Regards, 
Xiaoyong 

: I am currently working on Intel SA1110(Assabet) evaluation board. Is it
: possible that I could easily modify the Microwindows PDA operating
: environment binary and port it to Assabet?

Yes, everything should port easily.  However, as you can read from the 
list, noone is quite sure yet exactly which touch-screen driver to use
for the Assabet.

If you would like Century to port it for you, we can do that too.

Regards,

Greg




: Please give me some guidance.
: Regards, 
: Xiaoyong 
: 
: 

Hi Greq,
I am a newbie to embedded Linux.
Since you says there is no modification needed to port Microwindows PDA
operating environment binary distribution to Assbet, I tried to port the
binary by just simply run the exe in windows. Then it did transferring
anything over. 
please don't blame my stupid question. since both Ipaq and Assabet are using
the SA1110 processor and the memory allocation is control by the angel boot
for assabet. why the applications for Ipaq could not run on the Assabet? why
I need to recompile the  iPAQ Microwindows PDA operating environment? 
Regards,
Xiaoyong 

-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Haerr ####@####.####
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2001 9:47 AM
To: #YANG XIAOYONG#
Subject: Re: Microwindows PDA operating environment binary distribution
available for iPAQ 


: I am very glad to hear that Centry can help me. My project is only for
: research purpose. Learning how to port embedded Linux is part of our job.
: Would you like to point it out for me? What might be the modification we
: should take note if  we want to port the PDA environment to Assabet?

There shouldn't be any modifications.  Just compile up the source
for the kernel and Microwindows.  The binaries that we distribute
for the iPAQ .rpm's should run unmodified.

Regards,

Greg