13 replies to this topic

[LunaVorax]

Hello everyone!

I'm the owner of a GP2X Wiz and a Dingoo A320.
Like some Dingoo A320 users, I followed the development of the new GNU/Linux based OS OpenDingux and installed it as soon as it was released.

I though that doing the same for the GP2X Wiz could be a good idea for several reasons:
* Taking advantage of the latest GNU/Linux kernel
--> The wiz currently use GNU/Linux 2.6.24

* Taking advantage of the latest GCC build
--> Better optimizations?

* Better tuning of the OS Kernel
--> Real-time mode, faster boot time, more drivers for usb devices (joysticks, remotes, wifi/bluetooth/ethernet dongles, etc...)

* Getting rid of the unnecessary stuff
--> Flash Player, Original UI (replaced by Gmenu2X)

* Booting the OS from the SD card like for Dingux/OpenDingux
--> Making it easier to upgrade the Wiz

* Your suggestions here

I would like to know if that sounds like a good idea.

Edited by LunaVorax, 20 July 2012 - 10:39 AM.

[DJRoby4]

Caanoo please :'(
Anyway great idea... if I only had a wiz D:

[jmetal88]

I think it would be a good idea, as long as it included a better optimized screen rotation routine!

Seriously, if someone could make the screen rotation routine fast enough, I think it could eliminate the diagonal tearing in all the existing games and emulators that have problems with it.

Unfortunately, I don't know enough about programming to be able to accomplish anything like that. In addition, I'm not entirely sure it's actually possible to do what I'm suggesting, but I'm just hoping it is!

[u9i]

I would love to see faster booting and maybe even instant shotdown But it is important that it is backward compatible, so games won't notice the difference.

[LTStone]

I'm all for any support aimed at the Wiz

[LunaVorax]

But it is important that it is backward compatible, so games won't notice the difference.

In my humble opinion, I think this should be considered as a non-issue since most of the sortwares for the Wiz are open-source, you'll just need to recompile them with the new toolchain.
Still, there shouldn't any reason not to be "backward compatible" since the OS will still be GNU/Linux based.

[hmn]

Has someone been able to boot a custom kernel/initrd from the SD card? The firmware updates work like that, so it should be possible... this would be very helpful in order to do non-NAND-destructive experiments with custom firmware...

[LunaVorax]

Has someone been able to boot a custom kernel/initrd from the SD card? The firmware updates work like that, so it should be possible... this would be very helpful in order to do non-NAND-destructive experiments with custom firmware...

So far, the kernel and boot loader source code seems to be available at http://dl.openhandhe...cgi-bin/wiz.cgi.
We should head that way first.

[rohezal]

True. What would be very interessting would be an android on sd card. Should not be too hard, chroot into sd card app if /android/ is present if not start normaly. More interessting would be if android managed to get their code into the kernel main line.

[Orkie]

In my humble opinion, I think this should be considered as a non-issue since most of the sortwares for the Wiz are open-source, you'll just need to recompile them with the new toolchain.
Still, there shouldn't any reason not to be "backward compatible" since the OS will still be GNU/Linux based.

Unfortunately, I suspect it's not quite that simple (I speak from experience!). Firstly, a lot of stuff is not open source, and that which is tends to be old and is a bit of a pain to port (plus somebody actually needs to sit and do it). Also, a lot of things access hardware directly, and subtle changes can break these. Another thing I discovered on Open2x is that a lot of people hardcode things like relaunching the menu upon exit -- it's not a huge issue, but another thing to consider.

Not that this should put you off, but it's not quite like moving from e.g. Debian to Fedora on a desktop.

[LunaVorax]

Unfortunately, I suspect it's not quite that simple (I speak from experience!). Firstly, a lot of stuff is not open source, and that which is tends to be old and is a bit of a pain to port (plus somebody actually needs to sit and do it). Also, a lot of things access hardware directly, and subtle changes can break these. Another thing I discovered on Open2x is that a lot of people hardcode things like relaunching the menu upon exit -- it's not a huge issue, but another thing to consider.

Not that this should put you off, but it's not quite like moving from e.g. Debian to Fedora on a desktop.

It'll take time. I knew/suspected theses issues already. If the OS was 100% FOSS it would have been surprising not to see an alternative OS for the Wiz.
But I'm sure this great device deserves better than it's original firmware. I spent some time reading the elinux.org wiki and there's quite a LOT of interesting ideas for the Wiz.

But yeah, it's not a project like when 9yrs old people think they'll just shout the idea and a bunch of random people will make the work overnight for them. It's a durable idea.
I even though about reverse engineering the closed source stuff (ie: GPU driver). Not easy, but so far I know it's not impossible.

Thanks anyway for the warning

[Orkie]

If you are interested in the 3D hardware, I know JustBurn had a simple driver of his own working a few years ago.

[Senor Quack]

Mmmmm open2x on the Wiz/Caanoo.. My Wiz still works like new, maybe I can work on it sometime soon.

Been taking a break from all forms of productivity, but recently I've been throwing around the idea of porting a bunch of Kenta Cho's stuff from D to C++ for the Wiz.

[Orion4874]

Open2x is a masterful firmware imo. Seeing it on the Wiz/Caanoo would probably bring some people back here.

Would backwards compatibility be possible? I know we have Ginge but not everything works or works 100% with it. Plus seeing a more recent Linux kernal would definitely be a big plus!