Re: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions

2008-05-19 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions
Date: Mon 19 May 08 10:27:25AM -0400

Quoting Ian Darwin ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> ... and the main applications from the GTK-based apps
> (developed by OpenMoko and OpenedHand) to QTopia (but using X11, of
> course).

Thanks for letting us know. This makes the phone much less hackable
for me (c++-based) and thus, if this decision is not reverted, I will
most probably not buy the phone, at least for now.

I would like to know if the original GTK-based libraries and apps have
been left in a decent (useable) state, and if it will be possible to
switch to them in a direct and clean way.

Carlo

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Re: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions

2008-05-19 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions
Date: Mon 19 May 08 12:16:30PM -0400

Quoting Ian Darwin ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> > I would like to know if the original GTK-based libraries and apps have
> > been left in a decent (useable) state, and if it will be possible to
> > switch to them in a direct and clean way.
> 
> OF COURSE THEY ARE :-) Carsten has made it very clear on this same
> list within the last few days that all the major libraries - GTK+2,
> QT, efl, - are and will be available.

He wrote about libraries, not about the phone/pim apps. Have the apps
been orphaned?

Those apps are the heart of the phone, and I would not want to have
C++/QT versions running on my phone.

Carlo

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Re: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions

2008-05-19 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions
Date: lun 19 mag 08 11:10:50 -0600

Quoting Travis Tabbal ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> On Mon, May 19, 2008 at 10:49 AM, Carlo E. Prelz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > Those apps are the heart of the phone, and I would not want to have
> > C++/QT versions running on my phone.
> 
> I really don't understand the sentiment there. If the app works well and
> gets the job done, why does it matter what language it's written in or what
> widget toolkit it uses? I could see not wanting a closed app on OM, but it
> sounds like there is source available. 

There are two levels here. One is the ethically-justified desire to
run open software. The other one is the concrete possibility to dig
into the code and actually adapt the operativity of the code to your
specific needs. 

The first level is clearly satisfied.

With regards to the second one, things differ from person to
person. For most of its life, the openmoko project has been based on C
and GTK, which I happen to be reasonably versed in. The switch to QT
*requires* the abandoning of C in favour of C++, a language that I
personally find unsuitable for use. 

> Or, you could pick up the older GTK apps and finish them up. It sounds like
> the shipping apps are a placeholder to get a nice working phone for shipping
> Freerunner. It's an open platform, so switch them out if you want the other
> ones. Or improve the new ones. Or write new ones from scratch in Ruby.
> Whatever. :)

This could come to be true, given enough free time. Nevertheless,
there is a big difference between having the core applications of a
phone maintained and updated by Openmoko and having to depend on my
scarce free time or other voluntary work for the same core apps.

Later on, if I read that the GTK apps are usable, I may eventually
decide to buy the phone. I just wanted to let Openmoko know that it is
because of this switch (which I only learned about yesterday) that I
won't be an early adopter.

Carlo

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Re: Switch from GTK to QT (was: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions)

2008-05-20 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions
Date: mar 20 mag 08 08:21:06 -0600

Quoting Travis Tabbal ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> On Tue, May 20, 2008 at 12:39 AM, Carlo E. Prelz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > The switch to QT
> > *requires* the abandoning of C in favour of C++, a language that I
> > personally find unsuitable for use.
> 
> QT is C++, but you can write your code in C and just use the various classes
> to get GUI widgets. 

Funny way to define the concept. I must disagree: if you "use the various 
classes"
you write C++. 

> I really don't see why someone that knows C would have a
> problem with C++. I find some aspects of C++ irritating compared to Java,
> C#, Python, etc.. But it's far from "unsuitable for use". I can write both
> good and bad code in most any language. And there is nothing saying you have
> to write your apps in C++. 

Subjectively (for me), it is unsuitable for use.

I write code as a job (have been doing that for longer than I wish to
remember). C and Ruby are my current tools. I know from multiple
personal attempts that C++ goes severely against my mental engrams. My
ability to pay my bills depends on how smoothly and effectively these
engrams operate. I cannot allow them to get disrupted.

My complaint is that it would be difficult for me to put my hands into
the default apps. They are C++, QT, and expectedly using enough of
those creepy C++-isms (possibly, even those yecchy templates or
whereabouts). I would be comfortable with tinkering with C>K main
apps. On the other hand, I would find C++&QT main apps closed boxes (I
perfectly know that I could very well write C/Ruby new code on the
OM).

> I just find it an odd thing to be so irritated about.

I do not know how you received the idea that I was irritated. I am
only a bit disappointed (after waiting for this project to produce its
fruit for all these years), and I wanted to let Openmoko know that
they have lost at least one (early-adopting) client by operating the
switch to QT. 

Later, if I find that the original OM core code works to satisfaction,
I may decide to buy the phone just the same.

Carlo

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Re: Switch from GTK to QT (was: ASU software - pre-pre-release impressions)

2008-05-22 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Switch from GTK to QT (was: ASU software - pre-pre-release 
impressions)
Date: mer 21 mag 08 09:22:38 -0400

Quoting Nkoli ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> On Tue, May 20, 2008 at 1:32 PM, Carlo E. Prelz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >
> > My complaint is that it would be difficult for me to put my hands into
> > the default apps. They are C++, QT, and expectedly using enough of
> > those creepy C++-isms (possibly, even those yecchy templates or
> > whereabouts). I would be comfortable with tinkering with C>K main
> > apps. On the other hand, I would find C++&QT main apps closed boxes (I
> > perfectly know that I could very well write C/Ruby new code on the
> > OM).
> >
> From this statement, one would think that you don't use _any_ applications
> written in C++ or Qt for the simple reason that you can't tinker with the
> code. I am sure this is not the case. You use the applications written in
> C++/Qt and play with those written in the languages you're comfortable with
> or you write your own from scratch. 

I do not use any Qt app (Qt not installed on any of my PC's). My XFCE
setup is satisfactory as it is. I do use C++-written apps (starting
with dear old Groff). No need to modify them, though. 

But you do not see the point. The cutting point of OM is that I can
(rather, could) finely adapt the core phone applications to my many
quirks. If I cannot do this, well, no reason to substitute my old
palm, which goes on giving me the phone/pim services I need
(all this, with a QWERTY keyboard and long battery time).

> Refusing to get the phone because you dislike the languages the shipped apps
> are written in, not because it prevents anyone from coding in the languages
> they prefer or that any of the applications are proprietary is beyond
> ridiculous. 

You appear to have a very low ridiculousness threshold.

Carlo

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Re: Open Hardware

2007-08-15 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Open Hardware
Date: gio 16 ago 07 08:45:37 +1200

Quoting Robin Paulson ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> i don't have one myself, but the system76 range are designed from the
> ground up to be open, and are supplied with ubuntu installed. they
> have all sorts of options, and the laptops start at $1000
> 
> i have heard plenty of people speak highly of them

I had a look. Their top product - Serval Performance - is a Compal
HEL80. Compal produces barebone laptops, and buying barebone laptops
is apparently the only legal way to obtain an OS-free laptop here in
the Netherlands.

I had bought such a laptop at a small integrator here. Very nice
screen, but the PC was structurally fragile. Thanks to some coffee
being involuntarily spilled into it, the Compal hit an untimely
death. Actually, it may have been repaired, but I decided to find the
way to remove the keyboard myself (there was a sneaky trick I had not
learned) and in the process I literally destroyed the machine.

Since it had been bought a little earlier than a month before, the
same integrator offered, for a little fee, a smaller machine. I could
use the same processor (core duo, T7200), same memory (2GIG), same
disk, same DVD unit, same WiFi card. All these pieces are more or less
standard nowadays. The machine came from a different taiwanese
producer. It is a Uniwill X20II. If I had chosen it first, I could
have saved a lot of money, but that's no reason for despair... ;-)

Clearly the machine is totally different. It has a 12" screen, and it
is thus MUCH smaller. It occupies almost half of the desk
space. Fitting 1280x800 on 12" results in a crisp screen. I would
never buy a 15" screen with the same resolution.

With this processor and memory, the smaller battery lasts a little
over two hours. But where I need to use the laptop I mostly have
access to AC sockets. The machine is VERY portable. I can witness
about its solidity: I have just returned from a 2-month motorbike/tent
tour around Europe, including a 3-week work period in a Croatian
island. This laptop has been working perfectly (I had to unclog the
CPU fan a couple of times...) This mail is written on it.

(Warning: it may well be that the next barebone from Compal is a jewel
and the next one from Uniwill is a lemon. This is a question of
personal luck, I believe).

Practically everything here is supported in Linux. From the last
kernel version I compiled (2.6.23rc2) both disk and memory suspend do
work, at last! The graphic is Intel. Most probably not the fastest for
gaming, but I get bored with games. The OpenGL stuff I write for work
works sufficiently well for testing. And the XWindow driver is open
(with Nvidia and ATI you have to dabble with proprietary drivers).

Buying the machine from an integrator means that you get an empty hard
disk. Which for me saved the nasty chore of emptying it (with the
latest 'normal' laptop I bought, an ASUS, I had cleaned the disk from
the Redmond virus while on the train back from the shop. I still have
the DVD's here, sealed...) 

Compal and Uniwill are not that different from FIC, by the way. FIC
also produces laptops. When my ASUS was stolen I tried to contact FIC,
both in Europe and in Taiwan, to find out whether I could purchase one
of their laptops. Sadly, I received no answer.

All in all, I cannot see much the logic of buying a laptop with Ubuntu
preinstalled. Just download a Ubuntu cd, put it into the cd unit of
your barebone with an empty hard disk, and follow the instructions. I
use Debian, but I understand that now installing Ubuntu is quite
easy. 

Small integrators, like the one I found here in NL, exist all
around. Search and you will find.

A little bit off-topic, I know. But I hope I may be of help.

Carlo

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* K * Carlo E. Prelz - [EMAIL PROTECTED] che bisogno ci sarebbe
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Re: At the risk of being flamed : State of software

2007-08-24 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: At the risk of being flamed : State of software
Date: ven 24 ago 07 06:43:22 +0200

Quoting wim delvaux ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> have you ever tried using WxWidgets or Qt ?

WxWidgets never crossed my path. Qt is out of the question since I
don't do C++. I tried a handful of times to get familiar with it, and
was fiercely rejected every time. 

But this all is quite personal stuff, that is probably of limited
interest to list readers...

Carlo

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Re: At the risk of being flamed : State of software

2007-08-24 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: At the risk of being flamed : State of software
Date: ven 24 ago 07 05:53:43 +0200

Quoting wim delvaux ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> GTK ? GTK is a graphics library on top of which you desperately need a higher 
> level of abstraction (e.g. WxWidgets).

I used GTK, either directly from C or from its Ruby interface, so many
times now, without feeling any specific need for a further level of
abstraction. The Ruby interface defines objects for the various GTK
classes, but then it has almost a 1-to-1 correspondence between
function calls and methods. Flexibility is not negative: it offers
more opportunities.

> Comparing with QTopia, if you look at all what has been acchieved with KDE : 
> K3B, Amarok etc etc all great apps using a 'non free' but freely available 
> high quality library...

I believe you are welcome, even encouraged, to do your own port of
Qtopia for the OpenMoko phone, and distribute it. If you do it, and
you do a good job, many people who buy their phone could follow
appropriate instructions and be able to enjoy a Qtopia interface from
day one. Maybe someone might even provide the phones with Qtopia
pre-installed (I do not know about licensing though).

But OpenMoko developers should have the right to choose the
development tools they prefer. It is they who have a lot at stake in
this project. The worse that can happen to you or me is that we won't
be able to play with a new gizmo. Sean, Mickey, and the rest of the
paid OpenMoko team are defining their future, while they put ideas to
test. Let them work the way they prefer.

Carlo

PS I see that the Greenphone is on sale at $695. Any direct
experience? Is it possible to have OpenMoko running on the Greenphone?

-- 
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Re: Screen shots of Qtopia on Neo and some thoughts

2007-09-19 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Screen shots of Qtopia on Neo and some thoughts
Date: mer 19 set 07 07:39:14 +0200

Quoting Krzysztof Kajkowski ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Hi! I posted on my site: http://www.openmoko.org.pl some thoughs and
> about 30 screen shots of what I think are the most interesting Qtopia
> features.

Thanks for posting them. Now I know I do not to want qtopia.

I really hope Openmoko people do not give up on their software, or
I'll have to look elsewhere for a substitute to my old treo.

Carlo

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Re: Qtopia coming for Neo1973

2007-09-25 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Qtopia coming for Neo1973
Date: mar 25 set 07 08:18:31 +0200

Quoting Dani Anon ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> - But QT is not free (as in beer) for commercial usage

This is not the only reason why Qtopia is sub-optimal.

QT is bound to C++. With GTK you can choose to program in C, or, if
you really want to, in C++. With QT there is no way you can write your
code in C. 

Also, Qtopia, by having no X server running in the background, makes
it much more difficult for the average developer to bring his/her own
window to the screen of the phone. With X, there are dozens of ways to
paste an interactive window to the screen. They may be esthetically
discordant with the main theme of the phone, but your code can
communicate to the phone user and the phone hardware. I do not know
how easy it is for one's application to talk to the windowing system
underlying qtopia, but I have reasons to believe that a) I should have
to learn to code in a totally different environment, and b) that
environment would require coding in C++. Both things are not desirable
for me.

I see OpenMoko as a developer-oriented phone/system. Even if current
performance may be not that awe-generating, processor speeds are going
to increase, and optimizations will certainly be made. What I see as
the most important thing in this project is that I would have a
telephone that is equivalent, under as many points of view as
possible, to my main computer and laptop. For this, X is
indispensable, and the fact that the telephone and PIM applications
are coded in the same language of the underlying operating system is
an added value to the level of hackability of the OM platform.

(I also do like much more the graphical look of the OM proposed
interface, but this is purely a matter of tastes)

Carlo

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Re: Qtopia coming for Neo1973

2007-09-25 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Qtopia coming for Neo1973
Date: mar 25 set 07 01:23:37 -0700

Quoting Ted Lemon ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> This is an utterly pathetic excuse not to try something.   

It would have been, had I never attempted to get familiar with that
language. But I have, a handful of times. And I concluded, many years
ago, that it is not a language for me.

I rest my case: if you want you can use c++ with GTK. But you cannot
use c with QT. 

As far as I can perceive, making a c wrapper of a c++ library (and I
do not mean c-looking code that compiles under c++ - I mean a library
that makes heavy use of those ungodly quirks that c++ is burdened
with) is a task that no sane individual might desire to embark
into... But if/when such a wrapper becomes available, I will make sure
to carve out half a day to gain some experience with it.

> So it's kind of mind-boggling that you were able  
> to come up with so much prose to document your complete lack of  
> knowledge on the topic.

You are welcome to maintain your boggliness if it pleases you. I have
not stated an absolute judgment of value from the programmer's point
of view, of which I am not capable, since I have never programmed in
QT (and I have never programmed in QT because it requires c++ -
otherwise I would have given it a try by now, free or not free).

I still prefer the look of Gnome to that of KDE, but this is purely an
aesthetical judgment. I expect that with some effort I would be able to
use Gnome themes on KDE.

> >Also, Qtopia, by having no X server running in the background, makes
> >it much more difficult for the average developer to bring his/her own
> >window to the screen of the phone.
> 
> Case in point.   This simply isn't true.   You're saying things that  
> you don't know to be true.   Why would you do that?

Hrmpf. How many X applications can you find in sourceforge? This
translates to how many programmers who already can make use of one of
the many tools that are available to generate an X-compatible
executable? And on the other hand, how many people are there who can
easily translate their ideas into a user interface that runs under
Qtopia's windowing system? 

I do mean this when I say that X is easier than Qtopia. I have never
programmed in Qtopia's environment, so I cannot state how easy or
complex it may be.

> >I see OpenMoko as a developer-oriented phone/system.
> 
> I haven't even been able to get a build working.   It only builds on  
> one platform - the build is so brittle that if you don't have that  
> platform, you can't get it to go.   It's early days, so I don't count  
> that against the development team, but this is another stunningly  
> ignorant statement.   Have you actually tried to develop an app for  
> Openmoko yet?

No, since I do not have an openmoko. I might have bought one had they
not canceled the plan for a rebate for the second model.

But I have had a look at the code. And I understand that the X running
on OM will be basically the same X that currently runs on this laptop
of mine from which I am writing this message (minus opengl,
possibly. It will in any way be sensibly faster than the first X I
worked with, back in '93, on that old Tseng Labs video card...).

Once I correctly set up the cross-compiling chain of tools, I do
believe that the very well-known window manager that is used by OM
will not refuse to manage the windows of my humble executables, too.

Carlo

PS In your mail, you wrote 1) that I use pathetic excuses, 2) that I
have complete lack of knowledge on topics that I write my prose about,
3) that I say things that I don't know to be true, 4) that I make
multiple stunningly ignorant statements. Can you please keep these
personal observations out of the conversation? Just for the sake of
peace and harmony...

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Re: Qtopia coming for Neo1973

2007-09-25 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Qtopia coming for Neo1973
Date: mar 25 set 07 09:42:36 -0700

Quoting Ted Lemon ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> So when you say Qt is bad because there's no C API, 

N. I just say that Qt has no C api. And this makes it
unusable. For me. No mention of it being bad.

This is the only statement I object about in your last mail. I have
been writing code for a living for longer than I would care to
remember, and the programming language is my main tool. I cannot
invest a sizeable chunk of arable brain land in a tool that does not
properly express my mental patterns. C++ did not cut my cake. No need
to repeat the experience. I already know how to write what little user
interface code I need to write, either in C or in Ruby, with
GTK. Luckily I do not need to meddle with micro$oftland.

I did even buy a C++ book long time ago. I still have it here with me:
C++: The Core Language, by Gregory Satir and Doug Brown, O'Reilly, 1st
edition, 1995. TWELVE YEARS AGO! I am getting old. 

> Sorry to be such a windbag.

I would never have written this 8-)

Carlo

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Re: community@lists.openmoko.org

2007-10-24 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: community@lists.openmoko.org
Date: mer 24 ott 07 03:48:18 -0600

Quoting Mark ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> You need to keep in mind that:
> 
> - It takes maybe a couple of minutes at most to fire off a
> one-paragraph email.

and then it takes untold time and energy to extinguish the fire if the
promises made in that two-minute, one-paragraph e-mail eventually
prove to have been too optimist.

here we are not talking about describing the past or present, but
about foreseeing the future. If you are careful, and make appropriate
use of past experience, there are good, solid possibilities that your
forecast may prove true. Two minutes are way too short for this sort
of exercises.

> - If somebody, anybody, had taken 30 seconds to post a message to the
> list we wouldn't be having this flood of posts on this topic right
> now.

No. The flood is caused by lack of patience. An unripe message that
were to make wild promises may only work as a painkiller.
Painkillers remove the symptom, but they do not cure the problem.

> - Nobody is asking for an "official", press-release-ready corporate
> announcement. All we're asking for is something like this:
> 
> "Sorry, folks, but due to circumstances beyond our control we are not
> going to be able to make the release at the previously announced time.
> We are working on the issues and hope to be ready for sale in
> December."

During the life of this project I have seen several announcements of
this kind. Coming at the right time. 

I prefer not to see messages and to know the energy of the team is
focused towards having a working hardware as soon as possible, rather
than to have my impatience quelled by official postponements that have
no base in real events.

I rest comforted by the facts that a) it is their jobs, not mine, that
are in relation with a speedy delivery of both openmoko and the neo,
and b) if, come the worst, no functional phone were to eventually
surface from this project, well, my old treo still works OK... 

The best we can do to help is to provide support and encouragement to
the hard-working team. And to exercise the subtle art of patience.

Carlo

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Re: New to OpenMoko

2008-01-17 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re[2]: New to OpenMoko
Date: Thu 17 Jan 08 01:11:13PM +0100

Quoting Michael 'Mickey' Lauer ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> > No, openmoko uses GTK.
> 
> Yes, the current incarnation. There are various interest groups
> working on different and higher level APIs. I'm very confident that we
> can distill the best framework out of all these initiatives. This is
> the open source way :)

As long as you do not decide to precipitate from C to C++...

;-)

Carlo

PS any news of a model with a QWERTY keyboard, a-la Nokia E61i? This
would be much welcome (at least from me)

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Re: Nokia to acquire Trolltech to accelerate software strategy

2008-01-28 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Nokia to acquire Trolltech to accelerate software strategy
Date: lun 28 gen 08 12:59:50 -0600

Quoting Jeffrey Thomas ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> And yet OpenMoko is using GTK <>

Thanks goddess...

Carlo

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Re: now Koolu makes a phone too ;-)

2008-02-07 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: now Koolu makes a phone too   ;-)
Date: gio 07 feb 08 11:30:53 -0800

Quoting Michael Shiloh ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Yes, Koolu is a distributor.

mmm. They offer pre-order and quote a price of US$399. Available to
developers this March. And the phone becomes a "Works Everywhere (TM)
Phone". No mention of Openmoko, FIC, Freerunner... 

Will you eventually favour distributors to direct sale (in terms of
early production batches)?

Carlo

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Re: Price of the Freerunner published?

2008-03-19 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Price of the Freerunner published?
Date: mer 19 mar 08 05:51:01 +0100

Quoting Sander van Grieken ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> If I recall correctly, the initial Freerunner pricing was $450 for
> the device and $600 for the devkit.

What I really hope is that the price in US$ corresponds to the one in
euros. At today's exchange rates, 450$ = 285.46 euros. 

I am writing this because the fact of using european distributors
generally brings in big surcharges. Please do make sure that your
european distributors sell at the right price. After all, equipment is
produced in China, and imported both in the US and in EU. If at all
possible, I suggest to ship part of the production directly to Europe,
not via US. I believe the European Union is a large enough market...

Carlo

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Re: Price of the Freerunner published?

2008-03-19 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Price of the Freerunner published?
Date: Wed 19 Mar 08 07:58:50PM +0100

Quoting Peter Trapp ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Well, I've paid 300€ (=300$) for Neo1973 even without any reseller and group 
> purchasing with two other guys to save shipping costs  (to Germany)!!
> 
> So, where is the big problem?

You can go to www.oanda.com/convert/classic to have currency
conversions for any date.

On the date of Sean's famous "Get them while they're still hot!"
message, when ordering for Neo's was opened (9 July 07), 300$ equalled
220.216 euros. Today, the same 300$ equal 190.317 euros. This *should*
be evident from the pricing.

What we Europeans would need is a FIC subsidiary somewhere here,
importing directly from China, with (pre-tax) prices that are equal,
after currency conversion, to the prices established for the US
market. Sorry for the resellers, but... Delivery of a container full
of cellphones from China to either US or EU must cost comparably, and
both US and EU must offer some sort of warranty.

Resellers should get their profit from buying large quantities at a
discounted price, I believe.

Carlo

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Re: Further details of theprocess as we ramp up production of Freerunner

2008-03-19 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Further details of theprocess as we ramp up production of 
Freerunner
Date: Wed 19 Mar 08 11:55:44AM -0700

Quoting Michael Shiloh ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> The PVT runs are staggered: for example, we may build 100 phones and  
> test them, then make a minor change and build another 100, tweak again  
> and then perhaps build 200. Repeat until we verify that the product is  
> ready for true mass production.

I am just curious: what do you do with these hundreds of phones that
come out of test runs? After all due tests are performed on them,
could they be offered as a sort of lottery draw to list contributors? 
(without any warranty, at a reduced price, you name it...) Or do they
just throw them in the garbage bin?!?

(just hoping 8-)

Carlo

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Re: Price of the Freerunner published?

2008-03-19 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Price of the Freerunner published?
Date: mer 19 mar 08 05:58:19 -0400

Quoting Kevin Dean ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> >  both US and EU must offer some sort of warranty.
> 
> I don't believe this is true. IIRC the EU requires sellers or
> manufacturers to warranty items (or perhaps specific items) but
> there's no such requirement in the USA (though most companies do
> it).

You are most probably true, but if FIC has any hope to become a
serious player in the US cellphone market, I don't expect they can
make it without offering some form of reasonable warranty.

Carlo

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Re: freerunnter - get it over trisoft

2008-03-20 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: freerunnter - get it over trisoft
Date: ven 21 mar 08 05:04:55 +

Quoting Stroller ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> But I do agree with you. VAT doesn't help me, either. I don't use any of 
> those silly services (like hospitals and roads) that taxes go to  
> support! I should be exempt from paying for them!!
>
> And as for recycling! Why should I care about electronics in landfills 
> leaking lead & mercury into the water supply? I won't be around next 
> century to worry about it!!

:-)

I had previously stated as a dire need the fact of having an identical
*PRE-TAX* price for the freerunner on the two shores of the big
pond. A basic option (with just one year of warranty, e-mail or
IRC-based support, just the standard package content that comes from
FIC) should be available and clearly advertised. With a precisely
itemized price, and no intermediaries if at all possible. Resellers
should earn their market share by offering premium services. They
should not be the only choice.

Carlo

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Re: Unofficial poll: Do you want 3G in the proposed successor, GTA 03?

2008-04-14 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Unofficial poll: Do you want 3G in the proposed successor, 
GTA 03?
Date: Mon 14 Apr 08 08:55:41PM -0500

Quoting Jae Stutzman ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> I vote for current GTA02 features plus 3G and USB2.0!

I warmly suggest that FIC produce a GTA02.2 - same hardware, but with
a QWERTY keyboard... Form-factor similar to nokia e61. This should not
require such a long and difficult development process.

Carlo


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Re: Unofficial poll: Do you want 3G in the proposed successor, GTA 03?

2008-04-15 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Unofficial poll: Do you want 3G in the proposed successor, 
GTA 03?
Date: Tue 15 Apr 08 05:09:32PM +0200

Quoting Ortwin Regel ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Well, it would mean that the casing changes significantly. That means
> lots of work and cost so it's not a trivial change. I don't think it's
> worth doing this (or even reasonably possible in time) before the next
> hardware revision.

>From what I understand, changing important elements of the hardware is
what absorbs the largest amount of time and energy. I believe that
adding 3G cannot take place without changing at least the cell radio,
and possibly a lot more.

Adapting to other cases is certainly not trivial, but the possibility
to keep most of the electronic circuit equal would allow FIC to avoid
redesign, much of testing, and most certification hassles. You feed
the same circuit into the electronics CAD program, with a different
shape for the PC board. As I am saying, not trivial, but I believe
easier than changing an important element as the cell radio

QWERTY keyboards and appropriate cases are, I believe, produced
already, and can be subcontracted. There is no surprise in a QWERTY
keyboard.

There was also FIC's plan to produce *a number* of devices, based on
the hardware that is currently being finalized. I hope that one of
them will be a device with a real keyboard, and I think it appropriate
for me to show that there is support for such a device.

Carlo

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Re: Buy the Neo fra Norway

2008-04-16 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Buy the Neo fra Norway
Date: Wed 16 Apr 08 04:21:40PM +0200

Quoting Edwin Lock ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Yes, people in Europa can buy from TRIsoft (maybe also 10-pack, it's best to
> mail TRIsoft about this).

But there were voices that FIC was about to set up a european
distribution center. They should be able to sell us a phone for the
equivalent of US$399 plus any tax and shipping (hopefully, clearly
itemized). 

Today, US$399 = 252.22€ (www.oanda.com)

I vaguely remember reading that it was found out that setting up a EU
hub was found to be not that practical (although I did not read
details).

If a EU hub does not exist by the time the phone is available for
sale, I plan to buy directly from Taiwan. I hope I will be allowed to
do that. They should charge my credit card at the day's rate, and I
would then probably have to pay import duties and VAT.

Carlo

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Re: Unofficial poll: Do you want 3G in the proposed successor, GTA03?

2008-04-17 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: RE: Unofficial poll: Do you want 3G in the proposed successor, 
GTA03?
Date: gio 17 apr 08 04:20:35 -0700

Quoting steve ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> > I warmly suggest that FIC produce a GTA02.2 - same hardware, but with
> > a QWERTY keyboard... Form-factor similar to nokia e61. This should not
> > require such a long and difficult development process.
>
> Our CAD files are open.

I thought you only opened the files for the case, not the ones for the
PCBoard (electronic circuit). Are these last ones now also open?  

> Anyone who wants to persue this as a business is welcome to.

In order to adapt to another form factor, the circuit board would most
certainly have to be resized and rerouted.

(not that I am in that specific line of business)

Carlo

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Re: Unofficial poll: Do you want 3G in the proposed successor, GTA03?

2008-04-18 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Unofficial poll: Do you want 3G in the proposed successor, 
GTA03?
Date: ven 18 apr 08 08:25:57 +0200

Quoting Flemming Richter Mikkelsen ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Two things:
>  1) It is not just to print the circuit board even if you had the shematics.
> When you have transmission lines, you also need to tweak by moving the
> components, measure, move some more, measure again...and there are many
> other things too.
>  2) Nobody wants to reroute just to add a keypad. You can just connect it on
> usb or some other available bus.

I believe what I am asking may be within the plans I had read about
from FIC (producing a range of different products centered on the same
technological "core").

Doing the rerouting and the tweaking is not elementary, I agree, but
FIC is in a position to produce a keyboard-equipped (*NOT* numeric
keypad!) GTA02.2 in a MUCH shorter time and with a MUCH smaller effort
than anybody else, due to both the accessibility of the circuit files,
and the large experience they are putting together in these months
(years?).

While I am on the subject, I would suggest:

GTA02.2: Nokia E91i form-factor 

GTA02.3: Nokia Communicator form-factor (double screen, double
keyboard, clam-shell with a much more useable QWERTY keyboard).

GTA02.999 (pure fantasy-land): Asus EEE form-factor. An ultra-portable
laptop with a GSM modem included and a small, extractable headset that
can be easily hand-picked when having to make a call. I am thinking of
a solid cradle for a bluetooth earphone, that is automatically charged
while on-hook. You have your EEE-sized gizmo in your duffel bag, or
you are typing on it, and the phone rings (loudspeaker). You pick up
the earphone and answer the call. You can close the call by re-hooking
the earphone (or maybe by clicking on a screen icon). Or you keep the
earphone on your ear and you hear the ringing sound. You can thus
even keep the EEE in your rucksack.

(if FIC is listening: you may want to call your colleagues at ASUS: by
joining forces you could now bring to market GTA02.999 in no time!)

Software-wise: once the Openmoko interface is solid enough, so that
you can offer a workable interface to phone, sms and PIM-related
functions (contacts, agenda, to do), it is just a question to merge
the Openmoko layer into, for example, the Xandros distribution that
Asus uses for the EEE. The new EEE 900 has a 20Gb (!) solid-state
memory device. There is space for all you need on your transportable
PC plus phone.

Slowly descending back to earth...

Carlo

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Re: Don't ship GTA02v5 without the rework - reply

2008-04-20 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Don't ship GTA02v5 without the rework - reply
Date: dom 20 apr 08 05:15:29 +0800

Quoting Neng-Yu Tu (Tony Tu) ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> This confusion comes from time latency of series of events, but no  
> matter A5 or A6 should all apply the LED transistor change.

THANKS! Very refreshing reading.

Carlo

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Re: photographs of box and POSSIBLE contents of Neo Freerunner

2008-04-21 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: photographs of box and POSSIBLE contents of Neo Freerunner
Date: lun 21 apr 08 01:28:18 -0700

Quoting Michael Shiloh ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Anyone wishing to send me a better camera is welcome to do so :-)

In exchange for the neo? 8-)

Carlo

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A FIC phone with a real keyboard - Was: OpenMoko ON the iPhone

2007-01-12 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: OpenMoko ON the iPhone
Date: Fri 12 Jan 07 10:19:36AM +

Quoting Kenshin ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> If someone does indeed get Linux running on the iPhone, can we also
> expect to have the freedom to install anything we want, including
> OpenMoko? (it's FOSS right?)

I have a related question. I am quite happy about the development that
is bringing to the production of the neo1973, because I am eager to
own a phone for which I can comfortably develop apps. Openmoko is
going in the right direction, from my point of view. 

But I am used to have a phone with QWERTY keyboard together with a
touchscreen (currently, a treo 650). There are lots of cute models
around which sport a keyboard, from the Motorola Q, to the Nokia E61,
to this new Samsung model (SCH-i760) which can be seen on a page on
mobile-review.com whose URL was posted yesterday on this list. Or even
the Sharp PV-200 (AKA T-Mobile Sidekick 3). I am used to write SMS
messages with my thumbs while walking. I hated palm graffiti - way too
many errors: writing was painfully slow. And if, as I expect, text
input on the neo will be from a virtual keyboard on the touchscreen,
with a stylus, walking and typing will simply not be possible.

My question is: are there plans for FIC to produce a QWERTY keyboard
model with native openmoko? (Possibly with wifi in place of gps, and
with real mini-sd instead of micro-sd - but these are my personal
preferences) No matter if the phone comes to be somewhat larger!

Carlo

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Re: A FIC phone with a real keyboard - Was: OpenMoko ON the iPhone

2007-01-15 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: A FIC phone with a real keyboard - Was: OpenMoko ON the 
iPhone
Date: sab 13 gen 07 07:40:39 +

Quoting Sean Moss-Pultz ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> On 1/12/07 3:23 AM, "Carlo E. Prelz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > My question is: are there plans for FIC to produce a QWERTY keyboard
> > model with native openmoko? (Possibly with wifi in place of gps, and
> > with real mini-sd instead of micro-sd - but these are my personal
> > preferences) No matter if the phone comes to be somewhat larger!
> 
> Yes but this kind of stuff is Q3 / Q4 for us. 

Very nice to know.

> We're focusing on the software
> issue first. This, IMO, is a far bigger problem. I know our first phone is
> not 3G, not WiFi, and doesn't have a QWERTY keypad. But please remember,
> this is unlocked and unsubsidized. Many components in this handset are
> currently being shipped in our other phones in high-volume in Asia. This is
> the _only_ way I could sell a device in the sub-$500 range. Which I think is
> super important for getting critical mass of an open phone.

All this is perfectly understandable. I only wanted you (and FIC) to
know that there is interest in a treo-like open phone.

Many thanks for what you are doing!

Carlo

PS I have an unrelated question. I see that FIC produces laptops (the
contact for clients here in the Netherlands is someone in the UK). I
expect you are a user of these laptops. Do you have a good
experience? I was very upset when, at the moment of buying my current
laptop almost 2 years ago, I was forcefed a copy of XP. It is of
little importance that it was away from my HD by the time I returned
home by train from the shop. I had to pay, possibly for the first time
since MS-DOS, a microsoft tax.

Do you know if FIC is bound by the same idiot rules, or I can purchase
a portable with a clean hard drive? I might be interested in a GR3
model. 

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Re: A FIC phone with a real keyboard - Was: OpenMoko ON the iPhone

2007-01-15 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: A FIC phone with a real keyboard - Was: OpenMoko ON the 
iPhone
Date: lun 15 gen 07 04:07:40 +0100

Quoting Torsten Röhl ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Why -  QWERTY keypad ? we have a wide screen 2,8 inch and i
> love the new iphone concept without qwerty keypad.  I hope that
> the next neo1973 generation phones are also iphone like (without qwerty
> keypad) ... i think a neo1973 next generation phone with qwerty keypad is
> just another phone and not more the wonderful neo1973 linux phone.

Keys can be felt by your fingers. You need your eyes a lot less for
simple writing.

Also, I like nechanical keys. Don't you dig the solid feeling of the
keys of old HP calculators? I would never buy an iPhone!

I think I will wait for the keyboard model.

Carlo

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Re: Wish for 2nd generation Neo: USB 2.0

2007-01-18 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Wish for 2nd generation Neo: USB 2.0
Date: Thu 18 Jan 07 10:39:18AM +0100

Quoting kenneth marken ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> and make sure the port is a powered one this time round ;)

Yes, and do not forget to include a heavy-duty carrying strap for the
truck battery that we will have to carry around for all these wonders
to work 

8-)

carlo

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Re: built-in scripting languages

2007-01-22 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: built-in scripting languages
Date: lun 22 gen 07 04:07:26 -0700

Quoting Ben Burdette ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> I'm all for allowing people to use whatever scripting language they 
> want.  But I'd like the peace of mind of knowing I can write a scripted 
> app that will run on every OpenMoko phone out there, even if they have 
> no memory expansion card.  I don't want the situation where the poor 
> user has to unload someone else's app and scripting environment in order 
> to use mine, or vice versa. 

Many early adopters will happen to be programmers. This is not the
case of using a scripting language via given software, but of rolling
one's own scripts. I am a rubyist, and I will not learn python only to
write scripts on my telephone. If python were to be included, I'd
have to remove it each time I update the main installation in order to
put Ruby in. 

I have a suggestion: a do-it-yourself main distribution packaging site
from FIC, where you can choose selected alternative components, and
receive as a result your own personalized 64MB. 

Then, naturally, I will have to see if it is acceptable for me not to
use all those applications that require those scripting languages for
which there is no space on my main memory.

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Re: keyboard, please!

2007-01-23 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: keyboard, please!
Date: Tue 23 Jan 07 11:14:30AM -0600

Quoting Wil Chung ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> I vote for touchscreen interfaces only, and feel that openmoko is going in
> the right direction w/ the current design.

We keyboard fans have been told on this list that in Q3-Q4 there will
be pleasant surprises for us... Would FIC wish to lose all karma
points in one go?

;-)

Carlo

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AT commands document (Was: Fax modem? Fax software? Neo as T.38 gateway?)

2007-01-29 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Fax modem? Fax software? Neo as T.38 gateway?
Date: mar 30 gen 07 12:02:42 +0100

Quoting Andreas Kostyrka ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> > My question is: would the GSM chip has a modem
> > for data connections and also fax support?
> Good question. And if it is, is it a standard class 1 faxmodem like
> common with GSM mobiles nowaday?

Related question: is it possible to have (a pointer to) the document
with the AT commands that the closed telephone module responds to?
Most probably, the description of the AT+FCLASS command should contain
info about fax functionality.

Maybe, a repository with datasheets (I think about interfacing the
telephone module and the GPS subsystem, but there may be more) could
be already made available.

Carlo

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Re: Tuning fork, (was: music applications: piano, drum, bell...)

2007-02-04 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Tuning fork, (was: music applications: piano, drum, bell...)
Date: lun 05 feb 07 07:16:49 +0100

Quoting Marnix Klooster ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> And what about an electronic tuner for my guitar?  Of course with 
> support for alternative tunings.  Oh, and while we're at it, I'd also 
> like it to work for my concert zither 
> (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Zither.png).  And the piano as well, 
> perhaps?
> 
> Does something like this exist already?

There exists a program called gtkguitune, that uses whatever
microphone is available from the linux sound subsystem:

http://www.geocities.com/harpin_floh/kguitune_page.html

There should be no problems in compiling it. It does *not* use FFT, so
it is not too resource-hungry. A nice one to try...

Carlo

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Re: for german readers: FIC phones on the way

2007-02-21 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: for german readers: FIC phones on the way
Date: mer 21 feb 07 10:58:34 +0100

Quoting Fabian Off ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Interesting article about OpenMoko and FIC (inclunding more phones
> than only the Neo1973).

Aah! Including the one with QWERTY keyboard! SO Pretty!

Carlo

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Re: FOSDEM OpenMoko talk now on video.google.com

2007-02-27 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: FOSDEM OpenMoko talk now on video.google.com
Date: Tue 27 Feb 07 09:07:37AM +0100

Quoting denis ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Have you ever seen Nokia (or any other company) announcing the SAME 
> device (just with 2-5 more features) in 6 months. I have never seen this.

I think this pretty sums up the reason why we are more interested in
Sean's effort than in Nokia's next release.

Carlo

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Re: Audio Jack 2.5 mm

2007-04-24 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Audio Jack 2.5 mm
Date: Tue 24 Apr 07 04:01:41PM +0200

Quoting Tim Niemeyer ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> I don't mind about 3.5 or 2.5mm, but we could start a vote. ;-)

Or a flame war 8-)

Carlo

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Re: Size and weight considerations for future Openmoko devices

2007-05-02 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Size and weight considerations for future Openmoko devices
Date: Wed 02 May 07 03:24:43PM +0200

Quoting Andreas Kostyrka ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> > Yes, it makes the text a tiny bit sharper, and if you bring it to 20cm
> > from the eye, and have good eyes, you can read 80*25 text on it, but...
> > If you could knock off 50g by going to 240*320, I suspect I would.
> 
> Not really, 50g really are not relevant.

I would like to state how little I appreciate this race towards
reduced size and weight in telephones. For me, a telephone has to be
felt, both in the hand and in the pocket. Too small a phone is
unwieldy to use and way too easy to lose. 

More functions, yes. If the openmoko was two times its weight, but it
sported a 20G hard disk, a qwerty keyboard, and very good audio
quality via headphones, all this with 10 hours or more of audio
playback battery time, it would be my ideal piece of equipment.

At FIC they not have the budget of Apple, and they do not have the
possibility to market a product at a loss, I presume. The sales point
of the Openmoko phone is its extraordinary adaptability to the needs
of resourceful people, not its size or weight.

Carlo

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Re: Maximum SDHC capacity supported?

2007-05-11 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Maximum SDHC capacity supported?
Date: Fri 11 May 07 01:10:50PM +0200

Quoting Stefan Schmidt ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> Having them in the webshop and being able to deliver seems to be some
> different things for some shops.

Yes... I looked at each shop. No-one has them in stock. One shop
promises delivery in 4-6 workdays... 

Carlo

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Re: Maximum SDHC capacity supported?

2007-05-11 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Re: Maximum SDHC capacity supported?
Date: Fri 11 May 07 12:28:55PM +0200

Quoting Stefan Schmidt ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> MicroSD is up to 4GB right now. As SHDC starts from 4GB there should
> be no difference.
> 
> The real problem is to buy such a card. Until now we were not able to
> find a source for them. A bug for testing is already open:
> 
> http://bugzilla.openmoko.org/cgi-bin/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=93
> 
> If anybody knows a source for this cards let us know. We are eager to
> buy and test. :)

A quick search on preisroboter.de with keywords 'microsd' and '4gb'
returns a number of merchants in germany, ready to take your money for
such a card, apparently. SanDisk is the producer, and the cheapest one
is sold at 74.89 euros including adapter for plain SD format and USB
reader.

Carlo

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Re: Ruby for OpenMoko - got it small

2007-05-28 Thread Carlo E. Prelz
Subject: Ruby for OpenMoko - got it small
Date: lun 28 mag 07 11:33:01 -0400

Quoting Varga-Háli Dániel ([EMAIL PROTECTED]):

> So what do you think guys? Shall I keep going and trying to get it
> smaller and faster or shall I abandon this and spend my time on
> something more useful.

I for one am very much interested and grateful for your efforts.
Having used Ruby as my main programming language for all development
work (thus, not only for scripting) for more than two years now, I
consider the existence of a carefully optimized ruby engine for
openmoko as a very important piece of the puzzle. If, thanks to your
work, the ruby interpreter were to find a little corner in the default
OM distribution, that would be a key selling point for me.

Carlo

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