Frequently Asked Questions: Difference between revisions
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=== First Run Wizard === | === First Run Wizard === | ||
After booting, the screen will look something like [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXnFyYXxCZ4 this]. | After booting, the screen will look something like [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXnFyYXxCZ4 this]. Further refinements to be developed by various members of the [https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/pyra-first-run-wizard.76617/#post-1370384 community]. The first run wizard will walk you through creating a user, setting a password, and the usual keyboard setup. | ||
=== Help, I'm a Linux n00b! === | === Help, I'm a Linux n00b! === | ||
Revision as of 13:56, 24 March 2016
What to expect when booting Pyra for the first time
First Run Wizard
After booting, the screen will look something like this. Further refinements to be developed by various members of the community. The first run wizard will walk you through creating a user, setting a password, and the usual keyboard setup.
Help, I'm a Linux n00b!
How do I connect to WiFi?
What software is available for the Pyra?
How do I install software?
The default Pyra OS is based on Debian testing, specifically for the "armhf" architecture, which has many programs. To locate a package to install, try searching for a keyword like this (on the command line): apt-cache search synthesizer. Then run sudo apt-get install zynaddsubfx to install the program. Then type in zynaddsubfx to run it. Easy!
For CPU-intensive programs such as games, however, the standard Debian packages won't be optimized well for the Pyra hardware. Like the Pandora community repository, there will be a Pyra specific repository which utilizes the DBP (DragonBox Package) format. (For the interested, see the development thread.) TODO: simple install instructions for DBP.
How can I control volume via software?
What's this about screen tearing issues?
When will the GPU be fully utilizable?
How can I customize my Pyra?
How can I change the theme?
How can I tweak the options for Pyra-specific hardware? (e.g. Keyboard, Nubs, Touchscreen, etc.)
Hardware questions
Why only 2GB? Why not 4GB RAM?
Simple GNU/Linux distributions (such as the default Pyra OS) do not require the 1 to 2 GB of memory that other proprietary OSes require, so most of the 2 GB will be available to the user, and this will be sufficient for the vast majority of Pyra software and use-cases. For a demonstration trying to push a Pyra devboard to its limits, check out this video.
There are always compromises to make when working on a device, especially one not expected to sell millions of units. The Pyra is based around a small but active community, which can really push the potential of the device. If you are more excited about specs than community, then perhaps the Pyra is currently not for you. There is the possibility of an upgrade to 4 GB or 8 GB if the Pyra does well, which would only require an update of the CPU board (with the extra RAM). A few years in the future, CPU upgrades would also likely increase the RAM.