Great gadget for Linux/Open Source fans
Written: Jan 03 '02 (Updated Nov 24 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It's a Linux based PDA
Cons: It's a Linux based PDA
The Bottom Line: It delivers exactly what it promises but if flashing ROMdisk and kernels isn't your idea of fun, go with another platform.
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| chdionn's Full Review: Agenda VR3 Handheld - 8MB Memory |
Update Nov 24, 2002:
Since I wrote the review, the US and Hong Kong web sites have apparently shut down. The German web site is still there http://www.agendacomputing.de but says they have no units in stock. You can still buy the VR3 from Softfield Technologies http://www.softfield.com and several web sites offer support. The best place to start is http://www.agendawiki.com which has lots of info and links to the other sites that are still active. This is still not a bad alternative for students and Linux geeks on a budget at $105 for the 8 Mbyte unit and $135 for the 16 Mbyte unit.
Original Review:
I've had mine since early this year. I couldn't wait. Linux on a PDA! If this alone isn't reason enough for you to spend $200 plus on a PDA, then read no further. You may now go look at the many fine PalmOS, EPOC, Pocket PC, etc. devices on the market. I've got nothing against the other OS's. I bought my wife a Visor Edge.
For those still interested, the VR3 is becoming more than a toy with the Agenda Desktop project on sourceforge.net and the updates available from Agenda Computing in Germany who have a Windows compatible desktop which I'm hoping to try out soon.
I ordered the unit online from Agenda Computing USA and the unit was on my doorstep within two weeks as promised.
What I received was the developers edition with no manual or CD. I'm not technically a developer but since commercial units weren't shipping yet, I signed up. The software loaded on the machine included the usual PIM stuff: calendar, contacts, world clock, notes, calculator, expenses, and to-do list. A couple of games including minesweeper and basic utilities for setting the clock and screen contrast. The battery indicator was stuck at 30%, software loading was noticably slow and I found that it was best to load only one or two applications at a time. In fact, I shut off the status bar with the broken battery indicator and the launchpad with the nice icons because I thought they were using too much system resources.
Two ROMdisk and kernel upgrades later, I now have a more usable product. The ROMdisk and kernel I'm using now loads and executes software much faster. The power indicator works and I can leave the status bar and launchpad turned on. Thank you, Agenda Germany!!! Applications now include an email client, support for an ethernet adapter also available from Agenda Germany, improved networking capabilities and some nice games like space invaders. Several more applications are available at no cost from sites like sourceforge.net, Agenda Software Repository and agendawiki.com. By the way, if you do buy one make sure you write protect PMON before you do any upgrading.
I'll say one more time that this product is for Linux/Open Source fans for now. There are more devices coming on the market. I believe that a commercial Linux based PDA will be a reality long before the penguin shows up on the corporate desktop in significant numbers.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 175 S&H
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Epinions.com ID:
chdionn
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Reviews written: 3
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