NewsForge's Tina Gasperson points out that although Sharp promotes promotes use of the proprietary SD card for the Zaurus Linux PDA, the more open MMC works just fine and offers some advantages. Gasperson writes . . .

“Sharp's first Linux handheld, the Zaurus, has a proprietary, closed Secure Digital (SD) memory card expansion slot. Many people do not know the slot will also work with the MultimediaCard (MMC), a different kind of expansion card which is similar in power and potential, but much more open — in fact, it's a viable alternative for Linux developers who don't like the restrictions of the SD card. Why doesn't Sharp mention that MMCs are interchangeable with the SD cards in any of its Zaurus product literature?”

“MMCs fit into SD card slots and are readable in the same way. Sharp's decision not to include this information in advertisements for the Zaurus could hurt its chances of attracting a large community of developers. For cost reasons and on principle, Linux developers should know the MMC is a less restrictive alternative to the SD card, although the SD card has made some advancements in I/O and speed that some critics say the MMC is not currently capable of reaching . . .”

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