I just got my shiny new SL-5500. Pretty . However, I'm having some connectivity troubles with Linux. I followed the howto from this link:
http://www.ruault.com/Zaurus/etherne...usb-howto.html
I can ping the device and get an answer back, but that's it. QTopiaDesktop doesn't work at all, it doesn't see the Zaurus. Any ideas? I'm running the 2.6.7 kernel with ROM version 3.10 on the Zaurus.

Took a look at the ChangeLog for the v3 ROM, it seems that it isn't compatible with Linux. I think I'll get the older ROM 2.38 and flash it to the Zaurus with Windows.

There are rumors on the Qtopia site that a new version supporting the Sharp 3.1 rom is due in late 2004, but here we are in late 2004 and there doesn't seem to be any movement on their part. I am trying desperately to download the new OpenZaurus 3.5.2 rom from openzaurus.org, which is supposed to sync fine with qtopia. The OZ rom also has a lot of features I always wanted on my Z, like the ability to change the browser to render pages sideways, etc. I would hate to go back to the original Sharp ROM just so my PDA can sync, but other than OZ I may have no choice. Damn you Sharp, you wolf in sheeps clothing.

Personally i made the move to openZaurus.
I have it usbnetworking with my box just fine,
a quick bit of iptables and now the zaurus accesses the net and has access to all the package repositories.

Next: bluetooth

I think I'll try OpenZaurus. Any compatibility problems with the original Sharp ROM? I'd have to flash it using a Windows machine, although that doesn't seem to work either (I think I found the problem, though, old syncing software with a new ROM)...

After a few weeks of playing with it (call me slow) I have found out that openzaurus rules. Once you install oz-compat you can run apps designed for the sharp roms just fine, with the exception of the floating-point apps like Zaurus Unit Converter. It also ships with a package-manager that resembles apt with synaptic. Within 20 minutes of clicking 'ok' I had all my favorite games as well as the handcom apps (get from your old rom or on the web). If you want the hancom apps to work, make sure you get the 1.0 versions as opposed to the 1.5 versions which are incompatible.

Flashing the rom with Windows is asking for trouble. It is easier to copy the image to a CF card and manually flash it.

For anyone looking for a good sync option (for PIM data) between a zaurus and Linux, I strongly suggest looking at http://pi-sync.net. The have embedded versions of Korganizer, Kaddressbook, Opie-mail, and a password manager. I downloaded the SuSE packages for the desktop side, installed the ipkg files on the zaurus, and ran through a simple GUI-based setup and now my Zaurus syncs beautifully with SuSE 9.2. You can even use the normal desktop versions of Korganizer etc. Set up the desktop software from the link above to dual sync (with Z and KDE-pim apps) and you are all set.

I have an SL5500 too. Haven't it on 3.5.2 yet, but on 3.5.1 (which needs compat libs) ZUC worked fine for me.
Concerning syncing, I currently use a rather clumsy inefficient method: me doing it manually via scp and ftp. When i get round to it ill write some scripts or something to make the process a bit nicer.
OZ has much more functionality than the original sharp rom (WOW! even with the sharp rom the Z was far better than any other pda on the market), I highly recommend trying it. Its faster too (newer, better gcc), and looks much better.

Enjoy!
Simon

Sounds good, although I don't have a CF storage card . I'll just go get one. Does the thing work with Zaurus File Transfer for Windows, or is there some program that can do this under Linux? (I'm assuming that OZ works with Linux?)

what you have to remeber that when you have OZ on it its less of a pda and more of a small linux box, you can run apache on it for christ sake!

hehe, in linux i transfer stuff using SCP most often.

Hehe, sounds good .

By the way, how's the wireless CF card compatibility under OZ 3.5.2?

ask me after christmas
I think its pretty good. Being Linux I'm sure you can find some sort of driver for it. I reckon that CF WiFi cards use very similar chipsets to their pcmcia counterparts, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Try to get one that uses a standard(ish) driver/chipset, from a well known company.

Simon

Both the netgear ma701 and the Lynksys (forgot the model) cf-wireless cards work flawlessly in OZ 3.5.1 and 3.5.2.

http://www.zaurususergroup.com

Check that link for starters.

Flash off the cf card is the way to go. You will gain more functionality with OZ, but there are also many more new applications to play with. So it can be a bad habit.