The AlphaSmart Dana - from a hardcore computist's point of view FAQ (or rather, should I call this an iFAQ - i for infrequently?) Copyright 04/02/06 by msimons@slackware.com - Version 0.2.3 (updated 5/29/06) The most recent version of this can be found at http://www.michaelsimons.com/ or on one of the Alphasmart Discussion groups mentioned in this file. Q) Why is there so little hacking-oriented information out there about the Alphasmart Computers? A) I don't really know. I am assuming that they're too expensive for the average hacker to play around with. These devices retail for $400+ which is a hefty sum to dismantle, play around with, etc. Q) Are there any photos or diagrams of internals of Alphasmart computers out there? A) The only thing I have found so far are pictures of the internals of an Alphasmart 3000 at the flickr community (see below.) Q) So why are you doing it? A) I'm not, yet. I'm just starting this document as a way to collect all available information in one location and perhaps grow available knowledge. Q) So, why did you get an Alphasmart Dana? A) I am currently renovating a large building without any power. I need to be able to do work while I am down there, especially getting online and emailing people, doing research, etc. without needing to recharge a computer or PDA every few hours, or buy expensive replacement batteries. I was also able to get an AlphaSmart relatively cheaply and the Asus MyPal I wanted went too expensively. :( Q) But the Dana doesn't have a network connection! A) No, but the Dana Wireless does -- although that's not what I've got. The Dana (non-wireless) does have USB ports and two SD slots so there are the possible peripherals to get online with. Q) Which devices can I get online with? A) So far I've found a small list of Modems both USB and Infrared. list from: http://support.renlearn.com/techkb/techkb/5140410e.asp These include: IR: 1) Pegasus III 56K Ir Modem 2) Psion 56k IR Travel Modem An interesting comparison between the two above IR modems: http://www.3jtech.com/news/PSION-Pegasus.pdf These modems also have serial connections, so that is a plus, although one would need an appropriate serial->USB connector/cable. USB Modems: 1) MultiTech Models MT563ZBA and MT5634MU MT5634MU is a small pocket modem: http://www.multitech.com/PRODUCTS/Families/MultiMobileUSB/ The MT563ZBA is a SEEMINGLY a full sized modem, so for the purposes discussed in this document it is not favorable. http://www.multitech.com/PRODUCTS/Families/MultiModemZBA/ 2) Zoom/FaxModem 56K USB Model 2985 http://www.zoom.com/products/dial_up_external_usb.html http://www.zoom.com/graphics/datasheets/dial_up/298529860101.pdf Note: another USB modem on the same page, the 3090 mini modem is *significantly* smaller, so it would be nice to know if it is compatible. Wireless/Wifi devices include: USB 802.11b: List from: http://support.renlearn.com/techkb/techkb/5140442e.asp 1) Microsoft MN-510 http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/6/9/b69c956c-85d9-4641-aa6f-1548391e0967/mn-510fy04.pdf http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/6/9/b69c956c-85d9-4641-aa6f-1548391e0967/mn510_mn-520_usersguide.pdf 2) USRobotics 1120 http://www.usr.com/support/product-template.asp?prod=1120 Specifications: http://www.usr.com/support/1120/1120-ug/seven.html 3) Dlink DWL-120 (The older version that had the prism chipset. This version is characterized by being: gray, not foldable, has an antenna; has an exclamation mark where the red arrow is, no revision number.) In addition you can see pictures of a hacked MN-510 here: http://homepage.mac.com/pillowcase1/PhotoAlbumold31.html with a description of why & what he did here: http://pillowcase1.blogspot.com/2005/03/warbox.html I have just found a reference to the MN-510 that mentions the Prism chipset -- so if the DWL-120 is compatible because it is Prism, and the MN-510 is the same, then it might make sense to search for devices with the same chipset. Mention on this page: http://www.fuw.edu.pl/~pliszka/hints/wireless.html mn-510 quote: "Prism2.5, firmware 1.1.2/1.5.1, internal antenna jack: Hirose U.FL SMT i(I had no time to check it, this is what I was told on some mailing list, personally I would rather expect MMCX connector inside) FCC ID: HEDACCWN330168" Q) Which device is BETTER to get online with? As far as battery life, performance, etc? A) This would require side-by-side performance tests. Since I don't have all the devices, I cannot test them. If anybody wishes to send me these devices I will gladly do the comparison. :) I assume that wired devices might do better than IR devices, however the IR devices would also be self-powered. The source above claims the Microsoft USB connector is the preferred one amongst the USB connectors, but gives no reason as to why. Q) Are there any devices out there that are either battery powered themselves or might help to battery power the devices so that you don't drain the Alphasmart's battery? A) I don't know yet. I assume that you could hack one of the devices to add batteries to it; I have already seen a hacked version of a MN-510 adapter, but I did not see power supply mentioned. I also assume there might be a battery powered USB hub out there that might supply power to devices itself but have not yet found that either. I've found the following battery powered USB 2.0 hub. http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/CPH420MP.asp Q) What is the maximum memory expansion you can achieve with SD (or miniSD with adapters) cards? Is there a maximum speed rating of cards one can use? A) According to http://support.renlearn.com/techkb/techkb/5084640e.asp "Yes, the Dana supports the use of all standard SD and MMC memory expansion cards." The question is phrased in reference to "expansion cards" and one would hope that this applied to ALL types of SD/MMC devices/cards, but unfortunately the answer only references memory cards. Q) Are there any SD or miniSD with adapter memory cards or brands that are more conservative in power usage? Is this difference in technology even possible? A) I don't know yet. Q) What OTHER peripherals can I use with/attach to my Alphasmart Dana? A) I don't know yet. Are they Palm 4.1.x compatible? Can you hook them up via USB or SD? Q) Is GPS possible with the Alphasmart Dana? A) Well, you would need a GPS receiver accessory and appropriate software. In theory, yes, but I am not yet aware of the appropriate compatible hardware. This looks like a fairly good page on GPS usage with Palm units: http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/Palm/pilotgps.htm From other research it looks like the SiRF IIe/LP chipset would be good for a device to be based on. (LP stands for low power.) Q) Are there any DSL modems suitable for use directly with the Dana and/or portable DSL modems (battery powered, usb powered, line-powered)? A) I have found the following 'pocket DSL modem' that is USB powered however I have no clue if Dana would be able to use it or not: http://www.netopia.com/equipment/products/3000/3300p.html There are now also apparently models (very similar) using the model numbers 3342 and 3352. I do not yet know the differences between the models, if any. Q) Are there any cable modems that meet similar requirements (battery powered, etc.)? A) I have found that Motorola has several VOIP enabled cable modems that use the 'integrated' pb1000 lithium battery -- for some models, you may need to add on the battery in order to maintain VOIP service during a power failure. These models are SBV4200, SBV5120, SBV5220 (it may be that the sbv5220 has the integrated battery whereas the other two models need the add-on battery.) I am assuming that it may be possible to add a solar panel for charging the battery. Apparently the Arris Touchstone cablemodems also have had a battery backup capability. The Touchstone TM502G includes a single battery slot with two battery pack options. The Touchstone TM402P includes two battery slots each capable of holding an 8 Hour battery pack. The Touchstone TM402G includes a single battery slot for one 8 Hour battery pack. However, they also point out "Battery packs are intended to provide backup capability for local power failure only and are not intended to take the place of AC power." In other words, both these and the motorola ones probably can't handle a constant discharge-recharge cycle. However, it gives me hope. Q) What about other connectivity options? A) I don't know anybody about this yet, but I found the following telephone line powered modem: http://www.arcelect.com/Zero_VDC-Telephone_line_powered_modem.htm this site also has a number of other low-power modems(dc, solar compatible,etc.), etc. Q) What about power? A) The device is powered by AA batteries or a rechargable battery. It can also be powered by an AC adapter which also charges the rechargable battery. The rechargable battery can also be charged by USB from another computer (can it also be run on this, without a battery?) It would be theoretically possible to create an external powerpack that would either feed power in via USB, the adapter socket, or directly to the battery compartment leads. The following are the AC Adapter requirements from: http://support.renlearn.com/techkb/techkb/5139924e.asp Input: AC 120v 60Hz 9W Output: DC 7.5V 500 mA Center Positive. Q) What about printing to parallel printers or interfacing with other parallel devices? A) According to http://support.renlearn.com/techkb/techkb/5085490e.asp you can only do this via first connecting to your computer via USB and then printing from the computer OR, with a parallel to infrared adapter. Q) My Dana broke, how can I fix it or have it fixed? A) I believe you can send them in to Alphasmart to get them fixed, at IMO high prices. As I have not yet found internal images, I haven't found schematics, or repair diagrams, directions, etc. Q) Alphasmart's website say both the Dana and the Dana Wireless have 16mb of memory but I've heard of some models having 8mb. Is it possible to upgrade these? A) I don't know yet. Q) What peripherals CAN'T I use? (And why?) A) I don't know yet. Q) Can I run Linux, *BSD, or any other OS on my Alphasmart Dana? A) In theory, yes. You should be able to use uCLinux, mLinux, or other similar Linux kernels/distros for embedded systems. Of any of the *BSDs, of course NetBSD would be the one that *might* be able to do it, however, due to some technical reasons there does not seem to yet be one, and probably won't, unless you want to do the adaptation. (I think it has something to do with these processors not having an MMU.. if you DO choose to do the work, I think lots of NetBSD hackers will love you for it, there are a lot of devices not supported for this very reason.) Q) What processor does the Alphasmart Dana use? A) I have heard that it runs a Dragonball VZ. Q) Where can I find information on the Dragonball VZ? A) The Dragonball is a (formerly Motorola) freescale semiconductor processor. You can find out more at http://www.freescale.com/ Q) What does that tell us? A) That's a little beyond me at this moment, and plus I haven't read all the documents. Q) What peripherals CAN I use but would be a waste of time/money to aquire because the Dana itself can't take full advantadge of the capabilities of? A) I don't know yet. Q) Where can I find out more/talk to other Alphasmart users, etc.? A) There are two communities that I currently know of, a flickr group, and a Yahoo group. There *used* to be an ultimatebb on alphasmart.com called the "Alphasmart Community Centre" that was the official community but it was shut down sometime in 2005 I believe; I don't know why. A lot of the people from there seem to have taken up the flickr community as their primary community home. There is also a Yahoo group discussion board. http://www.flickr.com/groups/alphasmart/ Personally I'm fond of Yahoo groups -- flickr discussion format is new to me http://groups.yahoo.com/group/alphasmart/ There is also a Yahoo group for former and current Alphasmart employees to stay in touch with one another. Q) What about software? A) The Alphasmart Dana uses Palm OS 4.1.x -- so any software that works on that should effectively work on the Dana. Some software can actually take advantadge of the Dana's larger screen, but most is not aware of it (get to it, developers!!) I've seen figures that this is somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 software packages. There are opensource, freeware, shareware, and proprietary and commercial software packages to be found, of course. Q) Where are good places to find software? A) Some good download sites for software: 1) http://www.palmopensource.com/ 2) http://www.handango.com/ 3) http://palmsource.palmgear.com/ Q) What are some good useful sites for other reasons not already mentioned? Information/community/tools? A) I'm told the following site is good for mobile web users: 1)http://winksite.com/site/index.cfm 2)http://www.avantgo.com/frontdoor/index.html The Dana User Guide is currently available here: http://www.alphasmart.com/pdf/dana_user_guide.pdf Q) What about a Dana powered wearable? A) Well, it would be more like a Dana powered backpackable. ;) Considering however that there are references to palm-powered wearables, I assume that it is feasible. Send me lots of donated tech gear, and I will build one and get back to you on that. :D Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks about this device in relation to such issues: http://www.rdrop.com/~cary/html/wearable_electronic.html Q) What do you mean by a wearable? A) I mean a device that you can continously and easily operate (input to and receive data from) while not having to neccessarily sit down, in otherwords a device you can utilize while moving around, not being able to type on it's normal keyboard, etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wearable Q) Do you know of any hardware hacks to Alphasmart systems? A) I haven't heard of any yet. Q) Are there any other similar devices to the Alphasmart lines? A) Yes, there is the original Radio Shack Model 100 computers from the early 80s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80_Model_100_line and there are Quickpads http://www.quickpad.com/ in addition, as the Dana is a Palm OS device obviously there are hundreds of other Palm OS devices in existence. CalcuScribe Dreamwriter two different models, one is clam-shell. Laser PC http://www.8bit-micro.com/laser.htm Q) Do you have any other data that doesn't answer any of the above questions? A) Yes. Here's the start, please let me know if I should put this elsewhere, or if you have any other data. :) 1)USB ID: 081e AlphaSmart, Inc. from http://www.linux-usb.org/usb.ids