“In previous articles I covered the efforts to implement Linux
on the Compaq iPAQ, a high-end PDA especially well-suited for Linux
because of its generous complement of resources; including generous
amounts of RAM and flash, a fairly high-speed processor, and a
color display. A reasonable question might be how well Linux could
function on a more restricted platform, since Palm’s products are
successfully used by millions of users but are implemented with
quite limited resources. Accordingly, this article takes a brief
look at the Agenda Computing VR3, a new PDA designed specifically
for use with Linux.”
“To call the VR3 a low-end PDA comparable to most Palm devices
is probably not quite accurate, as it has a MIPS VR4181 running at
66 MHz, 8 MB of RAM and 16 MB of flash available. Still, it retails
for $249, which puts it in the mainstream of PDA pricing. A
successful Linux-based PDA implementation retailing at that price
could mark the maturation of Linux as a PDA OS to rival
PalmOS.”
“Thus, it is encouraging to report that the VR3 is a fairly
successful implementation of a Linux PDA, from both a user’s and a
developer’s point of view. Users will appreciate the
well-designed applications, consisting of the usual complement of
personal information management programs such as a to-do list
manager, an address book, a calculator, a note manager, a utility
to keep track of expenses, and a time scheduler. It also has some
cleanly ported standard Linux games, including solitaire and
checkers.”