More Cheap-o Squeak-o hardware

David P. Harris dpharris at telus.net
Fri Feb 8 21:59:08 UTC 2002


Only one I can find on Compaq site is $149: http://www.compaqfactoryoutlet.com
So, Tiger looks like a better deal.
David

Gary Fisher wrote:

> Dan and All;
>
> The Compaq IPAQ IA-1 runs Linux, DOS or anything else that fits in the 16meg
> solid-state disk just fine.  I'm running a distribution called "Jailbait"
> (http://jailbait.sourceforge.net/) which was built and optimized for web
> browsing using Netscape and a USB network card.  The IA-1's internal modem
> is also usable if the necessary drivers are added, though they're not part
> of the regular distribution.
>
> There are some installation issues, the most problematic of which is that
> not all of these appear to be "hackable" due to a locked BIOS.  Those which
> *are* hackable require disassembly and manual reset
> (http://www.php.net/~rasmus/steps.html), not difficult but not for the truly
> faint of heart as some people have destroyed their IA-1s in the process.
> It's also necessary at this point to install the new OS using the compact
> flash slot, generally requiring some gymnastics with image cloning and of
> course a second CF-equipped computer (generally a laptop with CF adapter) to
> prepare the CF and image.  The IA-1 is also capable of upgrading its OS
> remotely via modem or network, but thus far the method for doing so has not
> been discerned.
>
> It is possible (in fact necessary) to boot from the CF slot, to which it is
> also possible (though not easy) to connect a regular IDE hard disk drive,
> and to run from the CF slot.  Doing so presents plenty of room to install
> both Linux (or Windows, or BeOS) and Squeak, though it would be infinitely
> nicer if someone had the skill to figure a way to run Squeak directly from
> the internal solid-state disk.
>
> These are very nice systems; the LCD screen, while less than top-notch, is
> good enough to display color photos with perfectly acceptable quality, and
> the wireless keyboard with integrated pointing device is not far from the
> best I've used, though any USB keyboard and / or mouse can be used if
> desired.  The unit is equipped with a built-in mic and speaker, and a jack
> for playing stereo audio through headphones or an external amplifier.
> Because the IA-1 was designed as a home appliance it requires no fan, so it
> runs silently.  All in all I suspect it would work very well in a classroom
> situation.
>
> Tiger Direct sold them for US$99 for some time, then ran out, and has now
> reintroduced them at $129, still a very good value *IF* the unit you receive
> is "hackable."  However, I've heard Compaq also offers the recertified IA-1s
> on its website for $99, and have seen them on eBay for even less.  It would
> be great if Compaq would make "raw" IA-1s available for development and,
> eventually, distribution as Squeak machines, but $129, to say nothing of
> $99, has to be less than these things cost to build, so I suppose the hobby
> / hacker market is where these will remain for the nonce.
>
> Gary Fisher
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dan Ingalls" <Dan at SqueakLand.org>
> To: <squeak-dev at lists.squeakfoundation.org>
> Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 12:16 AM
> Subject: Re: More Cheap-o Squeak-o hardware
>
> > "Duane Maxwell" <dmaxwell at san.rr.com>  wrote...
> >
> > >We had one of those at Exobox - we never successfully got Linux running
> on
> > >it, but that's not to say that your friend didn't.
> >
> > He says he's running Slackware Linux
> >
> > >They come stock with a
> > >special version of WinCE, just enough to run the browser and that's about
> > >it.
> >
> > Hmmm.  I wonder if it's enough to run the squeak port.  Presumably would
> save memory to use what it comes with.
> >
> > >IIRC, the 16MB Flash is soldered down, so it's not easy to upgrade.
> >
> > I saw a somewhat cryptic reference to flash access:
> >
> > Compact Flash slot
> > SanDisk type 1 or 2 capability
> > to be supported in future updates
> >
> > >There were a number of other connector pads with no connectors.
> > >
> > >It's very similar to many other Internet Appliances of its day, though it
> > >didn't run the National Geode chipset like most of the rest of them.
> > >Unfortunately, it does NOT have a touchscreen - and the display is
> passive,
> > >so the image quality is not very good.
> >
> > Ah.  Too bad.  But, hey, $100.
> >
> > I've sent a list of detailed questions off, and will post the answers.
> >
> > - Dan
> >




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