Installing Microwindows on the iPAQ

By Rick Lehrbaum
2001-01-15

Article Rating:

/ 0

Rate This Article:

Add This Article To:

This article is Part 3 of the exciting new LinuxDevices.com series by Jerry Epplin that explores the history, status, alternative architectures, and future developments of Linux on PDAs and handheld devices. In this installment, Jerry explains how to download, install, configure, and test the Microwindows Development Toolkit by Century Software.

Learn how to install the full X-based simulation of the iPAQ ScreenTop environment on your desktop Linux box -- that way, you can develop and run iPAQ apps while you're waiting for your iPAQ to arrive (or if you aren't ready to buy one)! Epplin writes . . .

"In the previous articles in this series, I introduced the options available for Linux on the Compaq iPAQ PDA and walked through the installation of the base handhelds.org distribution. Although Compaq ships the iPAQ with Windows CE, they also sponsor a remarkably open project at www.handhelds.org with the goal of porting Linux to the iPAQ."

"The handhelds.org distribution is a straightforward Linux port based on X, so it appeals to experienced Linux software developers. In addition, at least three other companies are developing add-on GUI development toolkits, all of which replace X with a GUI built directly on the Linux framebuffer interface. This article examines one of these three, namely the Microwindows Development Toolkit by Century Software. Future articles will take a look at the other toolkits."

"As I outlined in the introductory article, the Microwindows Development Toolkit is based on Microwindows, a windowing environment that targets the Linux framebuffer and can also be ported fairly easily to other environments. Microwindows supports two APIs: the Windows GDI and Nano-X, an X-like API intended for low-footprint applications. On top of Microwindows the toolkit provides FLNX, a version of the FLTK application development environment modified to target Nano-X rather than X. This may sound complex, but the result is simple: most applications developed for the Microwindows Development Toolkit will target the FLTK API."

Read full story

	Discuss Installing Microwindows on the iPAQ

	>>> Be the FIRST to comment on this article!



	>>> More News Articles >>> More By Rick Lehrbaum

Email Article To Friend ♦ Print Version Of Article ♦ PDF Version Of Article

FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.