i managed to get my zire m150 work with evolution. ok, in fact just rsync, but it works!
you have to specify the correct device. for me it´s not /dev/pilot, but /dev/usb/tts/1
this device is existing just if you activate rsync on your palm.
try the pilot - tools: pilot-xfer -p /dev/usb/tts/1 -l ...