OpenZaurus facts for kids
OpenZaurus was a special computer program, like an operating system (OS), made for a type of handheld device called the Sharp Zaurus. Think of it like the software that makes your phone or tablet work! It was designed specifically for these Sharp Zaurus devices, which were a bit like early smartphones or PDAs. Sadly, the OpenZaurus project is no longer active.
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| OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
|---|---|
| Source model | Open source |
| Latest stable release | 3.5.4.1 / July 6, 2006 |
| Latest unstable release | 3.5.4.2-rc2 / September 2, 2006 |
| Package manager | ipkg |
| Supported platforms | ARM |
| Kernel type | Monolithic Linux kernel |
| Default user interface | Console, X Window System, GPE, OPIE |
| License | GNU GPL |
| Official website | OFFLINE |
Contents
How OpenZaurus Started
At first, OpenZaurus was a changed version of the software that came with the Sharp Zaurus devices. This original software was called SharpROM. It included the main part of the operating system, called the kernel, and all the basic files needed to make the device run.
Developers wanted to make the Zaurus OS more open and easier to work with. So, they changed the SharpROM. They fixed problems, added new programs, and removed some parts to make it more flexible.
Later, the OpenZaurus project changed completely. It started building its software from scratch, based on another type of Linux called Debian. This made OpenZaurus similar to other Linux systems made for small devices. The goal was to make it easy for users to create their own custom versions of the software.
The work done by OpenZaurus and similar projects eventually joined forces. Their efforts became part of the OpenEmbedded Project. This project now provides a common way to build software for many different embedded Linux devices.
Different Versions of OpenZaurus
You could get OpenZaurus in a few different forms for each release. These versions offered different features depending on what you needed.
- Bootstrap: This was a very basic version. It only had a text-based interface, like a command prompt, and the essential files to make the system work. You could connect it to networks using SSH, WLAN, Bluetooth, or USB. This version was good for starting a bigger system, like one with a full graphical interface.
- GPE: This version included everything from the Bootstrap version. It also added the X Window System, which provides a graphical user interface. It used the GTK+ system for its look and feel, which was part of the GPE Palmtop Environment.
- OPIE: Like the GPE version, this also had everything from Bootstrap. It included the Qt system for its graphics. This was used in the OPIE Palmtop Integrated Environment, offering a different graphical experience.
What Happened to OpenZaurus
On April 26, 2007, the OpenZaurus team announced that the project was ending. The people who worked on OpenZaurus decided to focus their efforts on a new project. This new project is called the Ångström distribution, which is also for embedded systems.
See also
- Palm OS
- Pocket PC
- Windows Mobile
