Linux Software Compatibility

[funkenstein]

Hello I'm a new member who has yet to purchase a GP2X (I'll have one soon though!!). Basically I was wondering is it possible to run Linux software (games, utilities) on the GP2X? Is there a (for the want of a better term) Linux emulator available that can run non GP2X Linux software. There are so many games and pieces of software out there for Linux it'd be a shame if it was not possible to run any of them. Any and all help will be very much appreciated.....Cheers

 

[saehn]

Hello! The GP2X is a Linux-based console; it already "runs" Linux. It is possible to run some relatively simple Linux PC apps and games on the GP2X, but they have to be re-compiled for the GP2X (since they were previously compiled to run strictly on PC-based architectures).

If that didn't make sense to you, don't worry. The simple answer is: no, not unless somebody makes a version of that game/app specifically for GP2X Linux.

 

[funkenstein]

Hello! The GP2X is a Linux-based console; it already "runs" Linux. It is possible to run some relatively simple Linux PC apps and games on the GP2X, but they have to be re-compiled for the GP2X (since they were previously compiled to run strictly on PC-based architectures).

If that didn't make sense to you, don't worry. The simple answer is: no, not unless somebody makes a version of that game/app specifically for GP2X Linux.

Would it be possible then for someone to create a Linux "emulator" using the GP2X's kernel?

 

[Squidge]

Simple answer: No.

Linux software for the PC is usually only for Intel/AMD processors. The GP2X uses an ARM processor, so requires Linux software which is made for that processor. For some simple programs, then you can 'converted' quite easily. For others, it's a big task.

 

[skeezix]

Aside from the CPU differences, consider ..

- input -- most Unix/Linux software rather assumes a keyboard and/or mouse
- output -- most Unix/Linux SDL games (or framebuffer, X11, etc) assume more than 320x240 screen size

Hence why it is technology easy to port (its all Linux), but the challenge is in the 'reformatting' to the GP2X (smaller screen, different inputs.)

Now, that said -- you _can_ feed other ARM Linux binaries into the GP2x and have them work; ie: The GP2x is not the only ARM architecture out there; you can feed Sharp Zaurus apps in and maybe they work (some do); you can find ARM Linux builds for various desktop machines.. can work. But in that case you've just eliminated the CPU as an issue (so a recvompile might not be needed), but introduce library dependancy problems, and still the screen and input problems.

So as above.. the simple answer is -- yes its linux, but it takes work.

jeff

 

[thumpgun]

will all the gp2x games and programes work on a linux pc ?...i have an old laptop with linux on it....

 

[Squidge]

Don't be silly and reread this thread