| handhelds.org -- a handheld computing resource site |
(Last updated: Jun. 19, 2000)
What is handhelds.org?
We are part of the Open Source Software movement, focused specifically on handheld and wearable computers. Our goal is to encourage and facilitate the creation of open software solutions for use on handheld computing platforms. We welcome participation and sponsorship by individuals, groups and companies seeking to further this goal. Our initial sponsor is Compaq Computer Corporation, and we expect to add additional sponsors over the coming months.
We provide support for at least three classes of users:System software wizards -- We provide resources in support of developers working to port operating systems and related infrastructure to new handheld computers.
Application designers -- We also support developers of application software that runs on our supported hardware/OS platforms.
End users -- The software created by system wizards and application designers is useful to a much broader class of end users. We support the broadest possible distribution and use of the software available on our site. What do we mean by "handhelds"Hardware -- At the hardware level, we embrace any device that can reasonably be considered a handheld computer. We are product and architecture neutral. Software development on an open-ended set of handheld computers is welcome within the context of our group and our website. These projects include both individual efforts and work sponsored and organized by individuals, groups or companies. The only requirement is that the results be made available in open source form, as discussed below.
Software -- At the operating system level, our focus is on "Unix-like" systems, including Linux and the various flavors of BSD Unix (NetBSD, FreeBSD, etc.). Among these alternative operating systems, healthy and energetic competition results in better software for everyone.
Platforms -- Each combination of hardware and OS defines a platform. We seek to support the widest possible spectrum of platforms, while avoiding or minimizing incompatibilities among them.
Higher-level software -- Above the OS kernel, application support infrastructure includes window systems, pen/voice input, wireless communication and other key enabling functions. At the top level, handheld applications include a growing collection of both self-contained and Internet-enabled tools. In keeping with our neutral position regarding both hardware and OS, we strongly encourage the development of infrastructure and application software that run on all supported platforms, and that can quickly and easily migrate to each new platform as it becomes available. Resources
We provide three basic types of resources to support the development of open software on handheld computers:Information -- The web pages available via this site provide a large and growing body of support for all three classes of users cited above.
Communication -- We provide resources for communication and coordination among users, including email lists, email archives, and IRC chat facilities.
Software Archiving and Distribution -- Our website provides a set of software repositories, allowing easy archiving and distribution of free software. These repositories are reliable, available, and enjoy very high bandwidth connectivity to the Internet backbone. Project teams are welcome to store their software in the repositories provided here, although links to remote repositories are also welcome. What we do not provideHardware -- We do not sell or give away computers or other equipment. Most of the handheld computers supported by handhelds.org are commercial products that can be purchased from their respective manufacturers or their authorized dealers.
Commercial software -- We do not sell software. All components of the OS kernels are available in full source form, free of charge, in keeping with the open source philosophy. We encourage developers of infrastrucure and application software to consider providing their software under the same terms. At the same time, we recognize that there are some applications and some developers for which this model does not work. Rather than see these applications fail to appear, we encourage their development for sale, at a reasonable price. We do not, however, provide facilities for online sale and distribution of such software.
Support -- We are not a provider of formal software or hardware support, although such support can often be obtained via other sites found from our Links page. Also, informal support can often be obtained from our developer community.
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