Newton and Linux Mini-HOWTO

This HOWTO collects all informations about using a Newton PDA with a Linux workstation. If you have any suggestions, ideas or solutions, please contact me.

You can always find the newest version of this Newton and Linux mini-HOWTO under

How to connect the Newton to a Linux workstation with NIE and a serial link
How to connect the Newton to a Linux workstation with NIE and a PCMCIA ethernet card
How to connect the Newton to a Linux workstation using IrDA
How to read and write Macintosh or DOS disks under Linux
How to extract a Newton package under Linux
How to backup your Newton under Linux
How to install a Newton package from Linux
How to create Newton applications under Linux
How to create Newton books under Linux
How to create Newton screenshots for Linux
How to upload a Newton package to Linux
How to print from a Newton using Linux
How to transfer Newton datas to/from a Linux machine
How to synchronize Newton data with Linux applications
Where can I find more informations about Newton and Linux
Which Linux software is available

How to connect the Newton to a Linux workstation with NIE and a serial link

Using the Newton Internet Enabler (NIE) is a very interesting method to connect a Newton to a Linux workstation over serial link. After setting up this connection you are able to use normal TCP/IP tools like telnet, ftp or http from your Newton.
Thanks to Andrew Maier and Brad Midgley for these informations.

1. On the Linux side you have to set up PPP correctly :

Activate PPP in the Linux kernel.

Start the following shell script as root :

#!/bin/sh
# This shell script starts the PPP daemon to connect an Apple Newton MP to a
# Linux workstation.
# Linux-System-IP : 128.0.0.20
# Newton-IP       : 128.0.0.5
# Serial device   : /dev/ttyS0
# Serial speed    : 115200
/usr/sbin/pppd -detach local lock proxyarp 128.0.0.20:128.0.0.5 /dev/ttyS0 115200

2. Install NIE on your Newton, then start the Internet Setup Utility and create a new connect script using Generic Setup :

Setup Name : My Linux system
Protocol : PPP
Configuration : Manual
User ID : Your user ID
When closing : disconnect never
Local IP Address : 128.0.0.5
Gateway/Router Address : 128.0.0.20
Primary DNS/Name Server Address : 128.0.0.20 (if you set up DNS on the Linux machine)
Domain Name : Your domain name
Advanced Setting : Seriell, 115200-None-1, Hardware Flow Control

Remember : Your Linux system IP from the Newton is now 128.0.0.20 !

After that, NIE-based tools like Newt's Cape (Web-Browser), PT100 (Telnet), NewtFTP (FTP) or NPDS (HTTP server) should work with this connection. Check Steve Weyers list of NIE related software for a complete summary.

How to connect the Newton to a Linux workstation with NIE and a PCMCIA ethernet card

That connection method is the most elegant connection method for a Newton. There are several PCMCIA ethernet cards available on the market. Since there are usually no manufacturer drivers available for these cards, have a look at the Ethernet card driver page by Niroshi Naguchi which cards are supported. After installing this driver package you have to install the NIE package. Use the Internet Setup Utility to set up the network parameters (IP-address, netmask ...). After that, NIE-based tools like Newt's Cape (Web-Browser), PT100 (Telnet), NewtFTP (FTP) or NPDS (HTTP server) should work with this connection. Check Steve Weyers list of NIE related software for a complete summary.

How to connect the Newton to a Linux workstation using IrDA

The Newton Message Pads 2000 and 2100 have an IrDA infrared port. Basicly it should be possible to use this connection method with the IrDA interface written by the Linux IrDA project. The Newtonlink developer team is working on a solution.

How to read and write Macintosh or DOS disks under Linux

Commercial Newton software is normally shipped with Macintosh or DOS disks. So you should be able to read these disks under Linux. Fortunately there are several good solutions for this problem available.

DOS disks can be read and written by the well known mtools by Emmet P.Gray.
The DOS fat filesystem is directly supported by the Linux kernel. So you are able to mount a DOS disk with e.g. mount -t msdos /dev/fd0H1440 /floppy.
Look at Robert Leslie's HFS utilities for Unix. These utilities are similar to the well known mtools for DOS file systems, with a good looking Tk shell.
The Macintosh HFS filesystem is directly supported by the Linux kernel. So you are able to mount a MAC disk with e.g. mount -t hfs /dev/fd0H1440 /floppy.
Another way to work with Macintosh disks is to use the Ardi Mac Emulator for Linux or the vMac emulator for Linux. You can use the free demo version of the Ardi Emulator, which runs for 10 minutes which is enough.

How to extract a Newton package under Linux

Newton packages are normally distributed as Macintosh .hqx, .sit or .sea files or as PC .zip files.

You can extract .zip files directly under Linux with the Infozip utility, which should be a part of all good Linux distributions. Encryption code is distributed separately because of the US export regulations. It's available under ftp://ftp.icce.rug.nl/infozip/UNIX/LINUX/. Decryption can be made with unzip 5.0p1 or later, or with zipcloak (which is provided in the encryption supplement).
Another way to extract .zip files under Linux is to use the DOS version of PK-ZIP under the Linux DOS-Emulator. This package should also be a part of all good Linux distributions.
Extracting Macintosh .hqx, .sit and .sea files under Linux is much more difficult. You can use the hexbin utility to convert .hqx-files. There is also a utility called macunpack available, but unfortunately it does not work with newer .sit files.
Therefore the best way to extract all these Mac files is to use the Linux dosemu to run Aladdin's Unstuff/PC, which is freeware.
Another option is to use the Aladdin StuffIt Expander running under the Ardi Mac Emulator for Linux or the vMac emulator for Linux. You can use the free demo version of the Ardi Emulator, which runs for 10 minutes which is enough to extract your package.
In future it should be possible to run the Windows version of the Aladdin StuffIt Expander under the Windows Emulator Wine.
After extracting a package you can remove all files beginning with % because they are only relevant for Mac's.

How to backup your Newton under Linux

Unfortunately there is no Newton Backup Utility available for Linux. This is the only thing which cannot be done directly under Linux. Writing such a tool would not be a problem, but until now Apple hides the informations about this.

The best way to backup your Newton without Windows or a Mac is to buy a 2 MB flash PCMCIA memory card and to backup on this card. The disadvantage of this method is that with other Newtons than MP2000 and 2100 you cannot backup an additional memory card which you have in use.
A good solution for a Newton backup offers Modasys with its product MobileBackup.
In future it should be possible to run the Windows version of the NBU under the Windows Emulator Wine.
The Mac version of NBU does not work under the Ardi Mac Emulator for Linux because Ardi currently does not support serial connects.

How to install Newton applications from Linux

A Newton package installer for Unix platforms is lpkg by Filip R. Zawadiak. Lpkg uses the built-in communication function and comes with an additional 115 kbaud plugin for the Newton. Therefore it is really fast. The software is distributed as freeware under the GPL.
Richard C. L. Li wrote UnixNPI, similar to lpkg. UnixNPI is distributed as shareware and you have to register.
Newtl by Anthony Hall is also able to install packages with the built-in communication function since version 2.0.
For Newton OS 2.0 you can use Newtonlink. Newtonlink uses Sloup version 2.0 and newer by Steve Weyer as the Newton frontend.
Newt's Cape is able to install a Newton package directly by accessing it via a HTML Web page. E.g. you can install this Newton and Linux mini-HOWTO as a Newton book directly using this link
NewtFTP, a Newton FTP client is able to install a Newton package directly via a NIE connection.
For Newton OS 1.3 you can use Scott Herndon's YAPI package installer on your Newton, a program to receive Newton packages with the x-modem protocol.
As a frontend to YAPI you can use Newtl by Anthony Hall, but also every terminal program with the capability of the x-modem protocol, e.g. minicom by Miquel van Smoorenburg.

How to create Newton applications under Linux

You can use Newt by Steve Weyer, an environment for developing applications using NewtonScript and saving as packages directly on your Newton. (You can also use a PC, Mac or Unix system to edit source code and transfer and debug via terminal emulator).
There was a software project called NewtonScript for Linux by Ross Sponholtz. It looks that its no longer available.
The Apple Newton Toolkit for the Mac should work under the Ardi Mac Emulator for Linux or the vMac emulator for Linux.
In future it should be possible to run the Windows version of the Apple Newton Toolkit under the Windows Emulator Wine.

How to create Newton books under Linux

You can use Newt's Cape by Steve Weyer. With this tool you are able to create documents in HTML on your Linux machine and transfer them to your Newton and save them as a Newton book. The Newton book version of this HOWTO has been done by this way.
Another way to create a Newton book is to send a Latex file to ViewMP, a nice Latex interpreter for the Newton by Roger Golz. Newtonlink is able to work as a communication tool for ViewMP.
The Apple Newton Press Tool for the Mac should work under the Ardi Mac Emulator for Linux or the vMac emulator for Linux.
In future it should be possible to run the Windows version of the Newton Press Tool under the Windows Emulator Wine.

How to create Newton screenshots for Linux

Set up an IP connection over serial link or PCMCIA card. Install the NPDS package and receive screenshots as GIF files in your Linux web browser.

How to upload a Newton package to Linux

For this you can use the combination Newtonlink and Sloup.
NewtFTP, a Newton FTP client, will be able to upload Newton packages directly via a NIE connection in the next release.

How to print from a Newton using Linux

Direct printing from the Newton to a printer connected to a Linux system is simple, if the printer is supported by the Newton Print Pack.
Start the following small shellscript on the Linux system and then print from the Newton using the right driver for your printer (assume the Newton is connected to /dev/newton and the printer to /dev/lp1).
```
  stty 57600 raw </dev/ttyS1
  cat </dev/ttyS1 >/dev/lp1
  
```
Newtonlink is able to transfer text based Newton prints stored in the Newton outbox to a Unix system.
Newtl is also able to get Newton prints stored in the Newton outbox to a Unix system.
Printing via ethernet using netatalk
- This method uses Linux to print from a newton to any printer supported by ghostscript. It only works with a Messagepad 2000, 2100, or emate. It requires ethernet cards for Linux and the Newton, but he connection over localtalk and serial line should work with the supported localtalk cards. Have a look in the Linux kernel cops documentation.
- Install RedHat packages for netatalk and ghostscript.
- In the RedHat printer control panel create a print spool that accepts postscript for your printer. Martin Hebrank reports that you can even choose an SMB network printer this way.
- Next, edit /etc/papd.conf to create an appletalk resource for the new print spool. The following line
  gs660c::pr=lp0:op=brad:pd=/usr/etc/hp_650c1.ppd:
  will make the printer appear on the Newton with the name gs660c, will send to the printer spool lp0 (match this with the column Names in the printer control panel) , will spool the jobs as user brad, and uses the printer description file /usr/etc/hp_650c1.ppd. (Printer description files are ignored by Newton, I believe, but are necessary for Mac clients. The files can be found on ftp.adobe.com.)
- Reboot Linux.
- On the Newton, make sure you've checked Use card for Appletalk in Card. Click the routing on an item and in the print dialog, click Choose Network Laserwriter and the printer should appear.
- I have used this process successfully with HP 660c and Epson Stylus 800 inkjet printers.

How to transfer Newton datas to/from a Linux machine

For this you can use Sloup by Steve Weyer. It is a great program to get Newton soup data or to tranfer data into Newton soups via serial link, infrared or ADSP . Sloup is shareware and you have to register.
On the Linux side you need a frontend to work with Sloup. There are currently five programs for Linux available :
- Newtl - a UNIX front-end for Sloup by Anthony Hall
- Linewt3 - a Perl script to read email from Newton (via Sloup) to Linux by Dean Hall
- Newtonlink - UNIX frontend to Sloup
- nXchange - Newton to Linux connectivity tool.
- nab - Newton Addressbook for WWW by Gerhard Muth
EEtransfer from Easter Eggs allows to perform and automate various kinds of connections and data exchanges with any other computer.

Infozip - extract utility for .zip file.
HFS utilities for Unix - read and write Mac filesystems by Robert Leslie.
HFS for Linux - a loadable module filesystem driver under Linux by Paul Hargrove.
Newtl - a UNIX frontend to Sloup by Anthony Hall
Linewt3 - a Perl script to read email from Newton (via Sloup) to Linux by Dean Hall
Newtonlink - UNIX frontend to Sloup
nXchange - Newton to Linux connectivity tool
UnixNPI - Newton package installer for Unix platforms by Richard C. L. Li
Lpkg - Another Newton package installer for Unix platforms by Filip R. Zawadiak
nab - Newton Addressbook for WWW by Gerhard Muth
PocketWeb - a WWW Browser for the Apple Newton MessagePad with a Unix server by the PDA developers group of the University of Karlsruhe.

$Revision: 1.7 $, $Date: 2000/04/05 19:59:30 $ - Reinhold Schöb Reinhold.Schoeb@gmx.net

Newton and Linux Mini-HOWTO

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