User Guide

This user guide is for Sharp Zaurus 5500.

Updated: Scroll down to see the latest feature.

Concepts

JSquiggle is a peer to peer network sketch pad. To join the network, simply type in one of the IP address of your peer's device, and start sketching. It based on web service protocols (XML/HTTP), so you can even talk to your JSquiggle with a regular browser!

• Adding a neighbor: You can "join" a JSquiggle network by typing the IP address you want to talk to. Your join event will be forwarded to all neighbor devices (peers) after a few sketches. Next time when they write back, you will receive their sketches as well.
  
• Ordered messages: JSquiggle network is a distributed network architecture. There is no single centralized server needed. However, that also means every device in JSquiggle network might have different internal clock time. JSquiggle use a 'logical timestamp' to make sure your sketch messages are in order. When a network is formed, the logical timestamp is updated at each communication, so all your peers will see the same sketch as you do.
• Open protocols: JSquiggle use XML and HTTP/1.1 for all communications. It actually contains a small web server and clients inside. The message format is compatible with the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format. This might be an overkill for a simple sketch application, and do gives some performance penalty, but we believe by using open standards, JSquiggle will be more extendable in the future.

Installation on Sharp Zaurus 5500

1. Download the installation sketchpad.ipkg file
2. Install the file on Zaurus with the installation manager, or simply click on the icon to start the installation.
3. The program can be installed to RAM or to SD card. Don't install the program to CompactFlash, because we want to use CF card slot for 802.11b connection.

Add neighbors (peers)

No setup is needed for running JSquiggle. However, if you want to add your neighbors into your peer list (so they can see your sketch) you may do the following:

You can always skip the steps by pressing [Done].

1. Get your friends IP Address number.
2. Type in his/her IP address number in Host Name field
3. Press [Add]
4. Your friend is now added in your peer list
5. You may add more peers if you want
6. When you are done, press [Done]

Once your friends get your sketch message, they will automatically add your IP address to their peer list. Next time when your friend write on their Zaurus, you will receive their sketch as well.

Do sketching

Simply use your stylus to sketch freely on the blank area. Your sketch is transmitted to all friends in the peer list.

You may:

• Choose Pen size by selecting "Pen" menu.
• Choose different color by selecting "Color" menu.
• Clear this sketch by selecting Pen/Clear, and tap/drag on the screen. (We make this a little bit complex, to avoid accidentally erase all peers sketches)

If you have peers(neighbors) in your peer list, they will see the same sketch as you are drawing.

Save/Open

You may save current sketch by choose Tools/Save. Currently you are not allow to save as different files. Previous saved data will be erased by new saves.

Open previously saved file by choose Tools/Open. When an old sketch opened, the sketches will be transmitted to your peers.

Exit Program

Click on the (x) on the upper right of the window and wait for the program to close. It might take 30 seconds to close all the connections.

Status Bar

There is a floating status bar on the bottom of the screen. It will activate when there is no action the sketching area to display current color and pen size. When you start writing, the status bar will hide automatically. You can move the position of the status bar by dragging the ||| at the left of the bar, or close the status bar by click on the [X] at the right of the bar.

Replicator

JSquiggle 1.6 (Mac OS X 10.2 and Windows) provides a pen-replicator function that allow your desktop computer mouse pointer to emulate your Zaurus sketching action.
     Originally JSquiggle drawing sketch on a blank canvas. When Replicator is select, instead of drawing on a canvas, the replicator take control of your mouse and move it as if it is drawing on your desktop.
     Please note that this feature may cause serious data loss or desktop damage if the emulated mouse activity is harmful. For example, if you move your mouse and drag a file into trash, it will be moved into trash. Make sure you choose the sketch area correctly.