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Linux on the Road

A Guide for Laptops and Mobile Devices

Werner Heuser

Version 3.13

Copyright (c) 2000-2003 Werner Heuser. For all chapters except "Lectures, Presentations, Animations and Slideshows" permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the Invariant Sections being "Preface" and "Credits", with the Front-Cover Texts being "Linux on the Road - the First Book on Mobile Linux", and with the Back-Cover Texts being the section "About the Author". A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".

$Date: 2003/06/15 15:06:07 $

Abstract

Mobile computer devices (laptops, PDAs, cell phones, digital cameras, calculators, wearables, ...) are different from desktop/tower computers. They use certain hardware such as PCMCIA cards, infrared ports, batteries, docking stations and hardware parts cannot be changed as easily as in a desktops, e.g. the graphic card. Often their hardware is more limited (e.g. disk space, CPU speed), though the performance gap is becoming smaller. In many instances, laptops can become a desktop replacement.

Hardware support for Linux (and other operating systems) on mobile devices is sometimes more limited (e.g. graphic chips, internal modems). They often use specialized hardware, hence finding a driver can be more difficult. Many times they are used in changing environments, so there is a need for multiple configurations and additional security strategies.

Though there are laptop and PDA related HOWTOs available already, this guide contains a concise survey of documents related to mobile computer devices. Also, laptop and PDA related Linux features, such as installation methods for laptops (via PCMCIA, without CD drive, etc.), laptop hardware features and configurations for different (network) environments are described.

And though some caveats Linux is a better choice for mobile devices, than most other operating systems. Because it supports numerous installation methods, works in many heterogenoues environments and needs smaller resources.

The printed version includes an additional part "Lectures, Presentations, Animations and Slideshows".


Table of Contents

Preface
About the Author
Sponsoring
How to and Why Sponsor?
Table of Sponsors
About the Document
URLs in this Document
Latest Version, Mirrors
Translations
Proposed Translations
Contact
Disclaimer and Trademarks
I. Getting Started
1. Which Laptop to Buy?
Introduction
Portables, Laptops/Notebooks, Sub/Mini-Notebooks, Palmtops, PDAs/HPCs
Portables
Laptops/Notebooks
Sub-Notebooks/Mini-Notebooks
Palmtops
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)/Handheld PCs (HPCs)
Wearables
Linux Features
Main Hardware Features
Weight
Display
Batteries
CPU
Cooling
Keyboard Quality
Price
Power Supply
Sources of More Information
Linux Compatibility Check
Related HOWTOs
Check Methods in General
Writing a Device Driver
Buying a Second Hand Laptop
No Hardware Recommendations
2. Laptop Distribution
Requirements
Recommendation
3. Installation
Related HOWTOs
Prerequisites - BIOS, Boot Options, Partitioning
BIOS
Boot Options
Partitioning
Linux Tools to Repartition a Hard Disk
GNU parted
fixdisktable
Caveats
Multi Boot
Laptop Installation Methods
From a Boot Floppy plus CD-ROM - The Usual Way
From a DOS or Windows Partition at the Same Machine
From a Second Machine With a Micro Linux On a Floppy
Introduction
Prerequisites
Source Machine
Destination Machine
Configuration of the Destination Machine after the Transfer
Miscellaneous
From a Second Machine With a 2.5" Hard Disk Adapter
From a PCMCIA Device
From a Parallel Port ZIP Drive
From a Parallel Port CD Drive (MicroSolutions BackPack)
From a Parallel Port Using a Second Machine
Installing Linux on Small Machines
Installing Linux on Macintosh PowerBooks
Mass Installation
2.5" to 3.5" IDE Adapter
SystemImager
Debian/GNU Linux
SuSE
Replicator
bpbatch
partimage
II. Handheld Devices - Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
4. Palmtops, Personal Digital Assistants - PDAs, Handheld PCs - HPCs
Resources
Linux PDA Distributions
General Hardware Information
5. History of Linux on PDAs
Itsy
Resources
6. Linux PDAs
Agenda VR3
Resources
YOPY
Resources
Zaurus SL-5000/5500
The SHARP System
The Community Systems
Synchronization with your Linux PC
External Serial Keyboard
Cross-Compiling
Caveats
Resources
Conversion from Palm Pilot to Zaurus
7. Non-Linux PDAs - Ports and Tools
HELIO
Resources
iPAQ
Resources
Braille Terminal
Newton Message Pad
Resources
PALM-Pilot
Resources
HandSpring VISOR
USB
Psion 5
Resources
8. Connectivity
From a Linux Box to a non Linux PDA
III. Tablet PCs / Pen PCs
9. Introduction
10. Display
Touchscreen
Screen Rotation
11. Handwriting Recognition
12. Keyboard
Soft Keyboard / On Screen Keyboard
Remote Keyboard
13. WLAN
14. Examples
IV. Cellular Phones, Pagers, Calculators, Digital Cameras, Wearable Computing
15. Cellular Phones, Pagers, Calculators, Digital Cameras, Wearable Computing
Cellular Phones
Pagers - SMS Messages
Digital Cameras
Related HOWTOs
Introduction
Calculators
Wearable Computing
Watches
V. Mobile Hardware
16. Hardware In Detail
Introduction
Kernel 2.4
PCMCIA
Powermanagement
Hotplug
BIOS
CPU
SpeedStep
PCMCIA Controller
Linux Compatibility Check
Related HOWTOs
PCMCIA Configuration - Survey
Infrared Port
Linux Compatibility Check
Related HOWTOs
IrDA Configuration - Survey
Graphic Chip
Linux Compatibility Check
Related HOWTOs
Survey X11-Servers
Resources
External Monitor
Miscellaneous
LCD Display
Laptop Displays
PDA Displays
Sound
Linux Compatibility Check
Related HOWTOs
Survey Sound Drivers
Additional Soundcards
External and Internal CD Drives
Keyboard
Linux Compatibility Check
External (Second) Keyboard
Extra Keys / Hot Keys
Related HOWTOs
Utilities
Function Key
Power Key
Extra LEDs
Numeric Keypad
Pointing Devices - Mice and Their Relatives
Linux Compatibility Check
Related HOWTOs
Mice Species
PS/2 Mice
Touchpad
Jog-Dial
Touchscreens
Pen Devices, Mousepoints
External Mouse
Macintosh PowerBooks
Advanced Power Management - APM
Linux Compatibility Check
Introduction
Caveats
Troubleshooting
APM and PCMCIA
APM and Resuming X Windows
Modularization of APM
APM Resume Options
APM and Sound
apmsleep
Software Suspend
Tips and Tricks
ACPI
Power Management Unit - PMU (PowerBook)
Batteries
Memory
Plug-and-Play Devices (PnP)
Docking Station / Port Replicator
Definitions
Other Solutions
Connection Methods
Network Connections
Related HOWTOs
Connection Methods
Modem
Modem Types
Caveats
GPRS
SCSI
Linux Compatibility Check
Related HOWTOs
Survey
Universal Serial Bus - USB
Linux Compatibility Check
Miscellaneous
FireWire - IEEE1394 - i.Link
Floppy Drive
Linux Compatibility Check
CD Drive
CD-RW
DVD Drive
Harddisk
Linux Compatibility Check
Miscellaneous
Form Factors
WireLess Network - WLAN
Video Port / ZV Port
17. Accessories
PCMCIA Cards
Card Families
Linux Compatibility Check
SmartCards
Memory Technology Devices - RAM and Flash Cards
Memory Stick
USB Devices
Ethernet Devices
Printers and Scanners
Survey of Mobile Printers and Scanners
Scanner and OCR Software
Connectivity
Serial Devices
Keyspan PDA Serial Adapter
Power and Phone Plugs, Power Supply
Bags and Suitcases
VI. On the Road
18. Different Environments
Related HOWTOs
Configuration Tools
NetEnv
System Configuration Profile Management - SCPM
divine
Mobile IP
DHCP/BootP
PPPD Options
/etc/init.d
PCMCIA - Schemes
Bootloaders
X-Windows
E-Mail
Email with UUCP
MailSync
More Info
Data Transport Between Different Machines
Hardware
Software
Connections to Servers
Security in Different Environments
Introduction
Means of Security
Theft Protection
Means to Protect the Data
Means to Protect the Hardware
The Day After
Resources
Dealing with Down Times (Cron Jobs)
Mobile Printing
Noise Reduction
Console (Shell) and X11
PCMCIA
USB
Fan
Harddisk
Miscellaneous Applications
19. Solutions with Mobile Computers
Introduction
Mobile Network Analyzer
Mobile Router
Hacking and Cracking Networks
Mobile Data Collection
Related HOWTOs
Applications
Specific Environments
Mobile Office
Connection to Digital Camera
Connection to QuickCam (Video)
Connection to Television Set
Connection to Cellular Phone
Connection to Global Positioning System (GPS)
Connection via Amateur Radio (HAM)
Satellite Watching
Aviation
Blind or Visually Impaired Users
VII. Appendix
A. Other Operating Systems
Microsoft DOS and Windows
Introduction
DOS Tools to Repartition a Hard Disk
Partition Sharing
Installation without CD Drive
Miscellaneous
BSD UNIX
OS/2
NOVELL Netware
Debian GNU/Hurd (hurd-i386)
B. Other Resources
Main WWW Resources
Mailing Lists
General Lists
Lists Dedicated to a Linux Distribution
Lists Dedicated to a Laptop or Manufacturer
USENET Newsgroups
Linux Newsgroups
PDA Newsgroups and IRC Channels
X Window System Newsgroups
Hardware Newsgroups
Newsletters, RSS Channels
Magazines
General Laptop Information
The Linux Laptop Volunteer Support Database
C. Repairing the Hardware
D. Survey about Micro Linuxes
E. Dealing with Limited Resources or Tuning the System
Related HOWTOs
Introduction
Small Space
Introduction
Techniques
Harddisk Speed
Small Memory
Related HOWTOs
Techniques
Low CPU Speed
Power Saving Techniques
Kernel
Related HOWTOs
Tiny Applications and Distributions
Hardware Upgrade
F. NeoMagic Chip NM20xx
Introduction
Textmode 100x37
Survey
More Details
Road Map
G. Annotated Bibliography
H. Resources for Specific Laptop Brands
Acer
COMPAQ Concerto Aero
DELL
IBM ThinkPad
Sony VAIO
Toshiba
I. Kernel Configuration for Laptops
J. Revision History
K. Credits
L. Copyrights
Copyrights
GNU Free Documentation License - GFDL
0. PREAMBLE
1. APPLICABILITY AND DEFINITIONS
2. VERBATIM COPYING
3. COPYING IN QUANTITY
4. MODIFICATIONS
5. COMBINING DOCUMENTS
6. COLLECTIONS OF DOCUMENTS
7. AGGREGATION WITH INDEPENDENT WORKS
8. TRANSLATION
9. TERMINATION
10. FUTURE REVISIONS OF THIS LICENSE