Why can't I just purchase Microsoft Mobile 2003 from Microsoft rather than Dell? What tweaks do they (Dell) have to do to make it work on their hardware? Will the Dell modifications cause any loss in functionality or features when compared to the original Microsoft Mobile 2003 software?

Signed: Too New To Know Better.....

They make it so it takes advantage of the different hardware buttons (jog dial for one) i think. And to just generally optimize it for the specs of the axim.

Dell Axim X5 Advanced w/ pxa 255
256 mb Lexar SD card
256 mb Simpletech CF card
Rhinoskin Aluminum hard case

And the other reason you cannot buy it from M$ is, AFAIK, they don't sell it.

-Ike-

     

Yes, like Ike said, Microsoft doesn't sell the licence of PPC for end users directly.BTW (like you probably know?!) in computer world, you actually don't buy the software, just licence to use it.

In the PC world, you buy the OS from Microsoft and get drivers from the manufacturers (if they aren't already included). The PPC has the same issues. Everybody has a different video controller, button controllers are not standardized as PC keyboards are, audio interfaces are different.

Since all this hardware is built-in and not user configurable, M$ took the very reasonable approach of letting the hardware manufactures support their own drivers. Dell pays M$ for the OS, installs their drivers, and gives us the complete package.

The world may not be perfect yet, but the Axim is (almost).

It's just like a "Restore CD" that comes with your new Dell, Compaq or other manufacturer's desktop PC.

The disc not only contains the operating system, but all the drivers and device-specific applications that your computer needs to operate properly.

Sure, you could buy the standalone operating system but you'd need to spend hours hunting down drivers and your included "companion" apps would no longer work (you'd need to purchase full versions of the software).

I dont think MS sells the PPC CD on its own. They give it to each manufacturer to distribute for them.

It would be impossible for MS to configure PPC 2003 to match every manufacturer's different situations.

Would it? Doesnt Microsoft put out how the hardware requirements can or should be and manufacturers decide how they want to configure and manufacturer them? Besides its something they already do for Windows and PPC 2003 is just a stripped out Windows.

Im guessing Microsoft probably could but since they are not in hardware and probably dont want to deal with support issues they just let the PPC makers handle all of it. Which makes us at the mercy of the PPC makers and what they decide.

Pretty much yes ... You can't compare it to a standard windows installation ... Its not a standard install ... Not all PocketPCs have the same hardware ...

How would Microsoft know what drivers to put in the ROM image ... They can't put them all as there is no way it would fit them into the small space required. Not considering all the PDA makers and all the different hardware there is. Not only that but not all hardware on the PocketPC is PlugnPlay. If it can't automatically install the driver do you know which are needed to do it manually?

I perfer the system the way it is.

All PDA operating system updates are released by the PDA manufacturer. As mentioned above, this is so only drivers required for each device are included in that build and the drivers not need are left out. Otherwise you would have a lot of your ROM filled with drivers that do bugger all.
I remember I flashed my Ipaq 3630 from CE to PPC2002 with a 30mb rom file from Compaq - it only took about 10 minutes.

Eagles may soar high but weasles don't get sucked into jet engines.

Look at all the ROM updates for the Ax & multiply that by every manufacturer/model of ppc...

I think some people are missing the point...as long as you can obtain it, who cares where it is bought from? The fact of the matter is that Dell is selling it for a reasonable $30. I doubt that they are making a huge profit off each licence sold. Additionally, optimized code is better than unoptimized. MS could build PPC2003 with generic code to run on a variety of devices, however the device would run much slower. It is up to Dell to maintain their hardware and provide end users drivers for the Axim; not MS. For instance, most PPC's have a different LCD screen. When was the last time that you downloaded a driver from the Twainese company who manufactuers them? Dell writes the drivers and as they tweak things, release service updates toe the ROM.