mn :: comp :: hardware

Using a Clie's Memory Stick with Linux

Piece of cake, really. Assuming you use a modern distribution with modular USB-storage support, all you have to do is:

1. Insert the Memory Stick into your Clie.
2. Put the Clie on the cradle.
3. Run the MSImport program on the Clie.
4. mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/clie or some such. If you use other usb-storage devices frequently or at the same time, your Memory Stick may show up at a different address (/dev/sdb1 for instance).
5. Using your favorite file manager or shell, copy and move programs around in the mount point. The directory structure needs (as in, won't work if you change it) to be like this:
   

                       PALM/
                            PROGRAMS/
                                     MSFILES/ <- you can put things here.
                                     plucker/ <- plucker docs should go here.
   

6. umount /mnt/clie.
7. Click Disconnect on the Clie and remove it from the cradle.

You can also use MSGate on the Clie to copy things back and forth or to set a default insertion action. If you use Plucker and you've set up the Memory Stick's directory tree as above, you can make Plucker run and open the Memory Stick as soon as you insert it.

This is of course a great way to carry a lot of text information in your pocket, and coincidentally the Linux Documentation Project makes all of its documentation available in Plucker format. As of this writing, that pile of documents just barely fits on a 16MB Memory Stick, which costs about $18.

Last modified: Nov 25, 2005 12:48 pm. Contact me.