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Raspberry Pi presold sight unseen over 350,000 units while restricted to one-per-customer. They ramped up the factory to 4,000 units a day - a run rate of 1.5 million units a year. They're little bare project boards. We're not even sure what we can do with them yet. Now that the schools they were intended for can order them in the bulk appropriate to the use of entire school districts full of students they may ramp quite a bit. School districts order in the dozens of units for test/dev and for deployment up to tens or hundreds of thousands so in the launch enthusiasm for RPi they were pretty much shut out so far. It doesn't hurt at all that their HDMI video output is standard input for flat panel monitors and TV's these past few years, so displays for them are everywhere and likely to last far longer than the PCs they came with.

If a bunch of hardware OEMs aren't snapping to attention over this they should be. The march of tiny low power ARM platforms seems to not want to stop. Now we have the Android TV dongle, five of these SBCs including the one in the fine article, a Kickstarter for OUYA that raised $5.3 million so far in 11 days from 41,000 backers who have no guarantee the product will ever even be made, on the strength of the reputation of the participants and the description of a product that isn't anticipated even being made until 9 months out - if they succeed in making it at all. That so many would put so much of their own personal money on only the promise of a thing is evidence of immense underlying demand for something.

Of course over in China and India they're making about a thousand different kinds of low-cost Android devices including a 7" tablet that costs $40 and runs Android ICS. Then there's the Nexus 7 tablet which sold out in retail stores around the planet on launch day and the 16GB version is even sold out on the Google Play store until further notice and the 8GB version probably soon will be - most of them were presold before they even hit the shelves. This one alone may move 10 million units the first year or more. Maybe much more. It's a product that may have buyers camped out at retailers awaiting fresh shipments like they were iThings.

The iThings are going great by the way, moving about a 500,000 units a day between iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch - every one a neat little ARM PC. And they just opened up the China market, which is like a whole third of everybody.

At last report little Android ARM PCs that also happen to have cellular phone capability are also doing well, activating 1,000,000 units a day - a run rate of 365,000,000 per year and still growing at a 2.5x pace year over year. And early next year come little ARM SOCs with 75% more processing power and 2x the graphics power for about the same price - and the SBCs that are made from them. Wow, the pace of progress here is stunning. It's like the early '90s again in PC land.

The traditional PC is stagnant. If you have one that's not too old you probably can suffer through another couple years with it, or until it fails completely, and save the money you would have put to a new one on one of these amazing new things. It's not like your laptop isn't already overpowered for what you're using it for. People have a certain budget for neat new gear anyway, and with adequate laptops costing $300 it's not like there's not money left over in the US market even if it is time to update your PC. The traditional PC market isn't going to collapse right away but I think it has peaked, plateaued, and begun its long gradual decline. In time, all things end.

All of these new things work wonderfully together, a

If you actually go to the page, they specifically say it was inspired by Google Summer of Code. so they give credit where credit is due.

What? You want me to RTFA? :-)

Anyhow, if they say that it was inspired by GSoC, doesn't that mean that they realize that they're capitalizing on the name?

In regards to the viewer comment, 99.9% of space launches put up satellites for practical purposes. So to say that viewers aren't necessary for those organizations in actually wrong.

Now you're just puting words in my mouth -- when did I say that viewers/data visualization tools aren't useful for the ESA? I think the ESA has a great idea here, and both a number of FOSS projects, the ESA, and a number of space-related organizations can benefit from the result. The whole point I was making is that the name portrays this as putting stuff (code?) up in space, and all of the links I clicked on didn't show that.

Being able to visualize where your satellite could impact given a worst case scenario is considered when developing these satellites. Additionally, visualizing the trajectories of 1000 other satellites is also important. There's a lot of space junk up there.

Sure, that's helpful, but it seems more of a "mission control" piece than an "in space" piece.

Finally, not everything is a viewer.

Perhaps I was too general in my depiction of the stated projects. It was my understanding, based on clicking on a half-dozen links, that the planned projects were to be used as either visualizers of data on the ground (not in any kind of active tracking, etc..), or as general mapping/modeling tools. Everything looked ground-based.

After reading through a bunch of the other links (the "Selected mentoring organizations" page is super-dense), it looks like there are actually a number of software projects will make it to space (or at least high altitudes). Some, like OpenCube nano-satellite hardware/software stack describe the project in plain English, but some are very technical from the get-go, e.g. pyNastran with the tag line "Nastran BDF Reader/Writer, F06 Reader/Writer, OP2 Reader, OP4 Reader & GUI," but no description or link or About page giving us a hint about what 'Nastran', 'BDF', 'F06', 'OP2', or 'OP4' means. It would be really great to have a blurb about each project on the mentoring organizations page, just so that we could see at a glance the purpose of each project, and what specific tasks they were aiming to complete for SoCiS

The ESA funded engineering projects that they believe are useful, not general computer science projects. There's a huge difference. Engineering is all about understanding a problem and finding a way to solve it. Viewers are for understanding your data.

The ESA funded a number of projects in various different areas. I just wish that they had chosen a more inclusive name so that both the projects that were going to space (hardware, software control, etc..) as well as the ground-based projects were both covered. "ESA Summer of Code" would have been short and descriptive. If they want to make it "in space," they should hire that sign painter from Kickstarter to paint a nice sign with a bold offset section for the "In Space!" portion of the sign.

I'd be interested to know which product you're talking about (especially since you say you can play the basic game for free)...

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/450703636/the-duke?ref=live

as it has been said on here before many Kickstarter projects are a scam

Zioneyez used Kickstarter to steal $350,000 and delivered nothing

When people complained, Kickstarter said "no refunds"

If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true. Problem is word is not getting out about all the scams on Kickstarter. All we hear are the successes, so people think everything on Kickstarter is legitimate when it's not, there are plenty of scams on Kickstarter.

How many stories did Slashdot run on ZionEyez? Answer: One, and even then the story was "Has this failed?" rather than "Kickstarter project stole $350,000"

How many stories did Slashdot run on Disapora? Answer: At least seven, even though Diaspora never met it's Summer 2010 deadline and many would argue it never achieved what was promised despite receiving $190,000 more than their goal

Is everything on Kickstarter a scam? Of course not, but Kickstarter promises nothing on any project, they just give the information. In that regard it's a lot like Craigslist. Craigslist doesn't guarantee the guy you hired for roofing is going to do a good job. Difference is Kickstarter is presenting the information like it's legitimate, and I think that's where the problem is, why people are offering millions of dollars on projects that are obvious scams, because they believe Kickstarter has somehow verified these people when they're really no different than the guy offering to wash your windshield for a buck.

This is what we are all waiting for, and it's already been funded! Just a matter of time until Joey finishes it: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joeyh/git-annex-assistant-like-dropbox-but-with-your-own

:(

I wish Linus would take a few weeks off to write a distributed backup system, but he just uses public FTP servers...

Of course, there're several projects that use git as a backend, like http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joeyh/git-annex-assistant-like-dropbox-but-with-your-own (already funded; he's also a Debian Developer).

Since git isn't a backup system, using it as one isn't as efficient as it could be, but it is powerful. Joey's project is an exciting potential Dropbox replacement. He knows what he's doing.

Obnam is also exciting: http://liw.fi/obnam/

Anyway, sorry, dude, I have had enough of Java VMs sucking up memory whether they use it or not, and taking a LONG time to start. One or two of those and you can't use the machine for much else. I wish people would leave Java for enterprise uses, if it's even good for that.

Of course you can do whatever you want. I'm just giving some feedback, because if you want users, I know there are many people who feel the same way I do.

Well, people are already working on it. It's called OUYA and sounds good to me.

I'm surprised no one else has posted this yet. There's been a pretty big recent success with a FOSS console on kickstarter with the Ouya Console. Why was that modded funny it would be awesome if there was a successful FOSS console I certainly hope the Ouya is a success.

They don't fit into the guidelines. In specific, health care service providers aren't:

"Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater."

So that's why there are so many Kickstarter spinoffs.

At the risk of getting modded down again: No, they are not. Pledges are a financial agreement between backers and project creators to exchange X amount of money for whatever reward was promised. Yes, you can back out prior to the ending of the Kickstarter Drive period. That's part of the agreement both parties enter into, but once that period is over that is no longer the case.

From the Terms of Use at http://www.kickstarter.com/terms-of-use:

"Project Creators are required to fulfill all rewards of their successful fundraising campaigns or refund any Backer whose reward they do not or cannot fulfill."

That's the agreement project creators enter into when they begin their Kickstarter campaign. That's in addition to the common legal protections people have in any agreement made with or without a contract.

They're not begging. They're selling it.

Pledge $99 or more:
GET AN OUYA: console and controller. Guarantee we will have one available for you, before it gets to stores. Plus the rewards above. We're figuring out how many we can make! (We have to ask you to add $20 for shipping outside the U.S.) Please add $30 if you want a second controller.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ouya/ouya-a-new-kind-of-video-game-console

All games will be free to play. Developers will make money through in-game purchases, subcriptions, unlocks, etc, like TF2 and League of Legends. This is all on the Kickstarter page.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/massiveblack/zombie-playground-zpg-3d-action-online-battle-rpg

Why do you think that means you can't make a new part? With replaceable parts limited by mass production you can only have parts that you're willing to make many thousands of, and therefore have on hand in inventory (large warehouses) with big logistical transportation systems behind them. With 3D printing you just download a copy of the part spec and print it out from a bunch of multi-purpose material you have on hand. You can even grind up old stuff for the material. You don't have to keep specialized parts in inventory and you don't have to do massive production runs to be efficient or cost effective.

It looks like the resin material used by the b9Creator is significantly cheaper than the filament typically used in additive 3D printers.

Then your wait is almost over, as it's been created, and they're ramping it up (and it's open source). Here's the kickstarter link.

I wonder if SETI could benefit from Kickstarter the same way some other folks have been successful.

I thought they did a good job to farm out little bits of data for people to run on their computers. This is the very same reason why I think it might be possible for SETI to get funding by way of kickstarter.

I am sure there are still dreamers in this blue earth that could give SETI a hand, provided the objectives and level of outsider participation (like myself) are meaningful.

ps: otherwise, just do it the archaic way: sell t-shirts, dammit. I'll buy one.

FYI:
SpaceVenture, a KickStarter project by the creators of Space Quest (successfully funded but still accepting PayPal donations)

Judging from the number of the "This had better run on Linux!" comments on Neal Stephenson's sword game Kickstarter campaign (they are likely to use Unity for CLANG), this should make some people happy.

You can choose what you want to image (e.g. Area51).
Here is the kickstarter page that has some more info

I believe individual tinkerers are already putting there little satellites in space. See http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zacinaction/kicksat-your-personal-spacecraft-in-space .

Can we please stop advertising for Kickstarter?

Kickstarter is a scam.

ZionEyez stole $344,000 and have not delivered anything in 11 months

Diaspora received $200,000, 20x their $10k goal. Suppose to be finished end of summer 2010, still in alpha but is "quite usable for some purposes".

When customers complain, Kickstarter says "no refunds"

Why are we still promoting them? Might as well burn your money and put it on youtube

Yeah, if only the money wasn't actually charged for unsuccessful fundings.

So, they meet the goal, but not the "extra" goal to pay for Linux support. I now get charged for a game I can not play... Nope.

I stand corrected - contrary to what some comments suggested, the project's main development target was Windows, other platforms being only "stretch goals".

Exactly... And I am not interested in supporting them until I know the game will run on my operating system. (Yes, I know about WINE. If I have to virtualize my environment, I will virtulize my payment as well...)

I stand corrected - contrary to what some comments suggested, the project's main development target was Windows, other platforms being only "stretch goals".

Exactly... And I am not interested in supporting them until I know the game will run on my operating system. (Yes, I know about WINE. If I have to virtualize my environment, I will virtulize my payment as well...)

I stand corrected - contrary to what some comments suggested, the project's main development target was Windows, other platforms being only "stretch goals".

I stand corrected - contrary to what some comments suggested, the project's main development target was Windows, other platforms being only "stretch goals".

If you liked the Space Quest games, and you haven't done so already, you might want to take a look at the Two Guys SpaceVenture - it's not yet funded, but has pledged Linux support from day one. I completely agree with it being a pain when projects make Linux support a stretch goal, not wanting to fund something you won't be able to play.

Can I use this opportunity to push SpaceVenture, from the creators of Space Quest?

They only have 5 days to make $150,000. If you didn't contribute to Double Fine, or to Al Lowe's Leisure Suit Larry remakes, consider maybe helping out here. Space Quest was a great series, and it would be amazing to see a modern take on the concept.

Would love to help out, but unfortunately my excess funds are currently tied up in ventures best not mentioned to the internet at large (trade secrets, or whatever).

Best of luck. Foamy out.

Yeah, if only the money wasn't actually charged for unsuccessful fundings.

If you're like me, you were ecstatic when you heard about a new Carmageddon and then bitterly disappointed when you found out that it would only be available with activation required (Steam) and only on Windows and Mac. You were all ready to fork over your money and then were let down. Well good news - in addition to being available on Linux, they said that they'd release a DRM free version. Like the Linux version it will be released late, but it's better than nothing.

The sad thing is that I almost didn't hear about their change of heart and almost didn't contribute because of it, so I'm posting this in the hope that any other people like me might see it.

Relatedly, the Two Guys from Andromeda are the only prominent Kickstarters that I know of which have been DRM free and cross platform right from the start. Everyone else seems to need to be pushed into it. They're struggling a bit to reach their Kickstarter goal (hint):

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spaceventure/two-guys-spaceventure-by-the-creators-of-space-que

Can I use this opportunity to push SpaceVenture, from the creators of Space Quest?

They only have 5 days to make $150,000. If you didn't contribute to Double Fine, or to Al Lowe's Leisure Suit Larry remakes, consider maybe helping out here. Space Quest was a great series, and it would be amazing to see a modern take on the concept.

The first step will be to make git-annex watch for changes to your files, check them into git, and automatically sync them to your other repositories. I have a prototype of this using Linux's inotify. It will be extended to also support Mac OS X.

Then I will build a web app that can be used to control and configure things. Watch files as they upload and download, set priorities, etc. No command line needed. I plan to use Haskell's amazing Yesod web framework.

Finally, I will add configuration assistants to help you get the most out of the system. Easily set up syncing to remote computers, store encrypted copies of your data in Amazon S3 or other cloud services, automate moving old files to archival drives. There are many possibilities like these, and I will prioritize the ones my backers need.

I'll spend around one month on each of these steps. Then I'll spend another month or two on an Android port, and additional time I'm funded for to add more features. I'll be blogging about my progress all along the way, and each new feature will immediately be available in git-annex's own git repository.

If he gets another $3500 in funding in the next 6 days, he even promises to spend a least 1 month trying to create a Windows port.

If you are using Linux or *BSD (including OS X), git-annex is the way to go. Seriously.

http://git-annex.branchable.com/
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joeyh/git-annex-assistant-like-dropbox-but-with-your-own

By the way, why can't I fund a closed (but funded) Kickstarter project past the deadline?

As a successful Kickstarter project creator, I would hate that.

I'm lost; you didn't actually explain why it would be bad for people to discover your project after it's complete.

As a customer, if I can find out about something awesome you've done and I want to give you money for it how is that bad? As a business owner, how is it bad if people discover you through kickstarter and want to give you more money for something you've gotten off the ground?

If it's an issue of only doing a limited run, then additional demand after the project completes indicates that your product fills a niche. You now have tons of different ways to handle that: do another limited run with crowd sourcing, sell off your extra inventory from canceled orders, expand your business (if sufficient demand), find a company to partner with, sell your product/company to someone more motivated. And if you only wanted to do one run in the first place simply say as much on your Kickstarter.

So again, what's the problem here?

By the way, why can't I fund a closed (but funded) Kickstarter project past the deadline?

As a successful Kickstarter project creator, I would hate that. It's one thing when you are doing software, but it's quite another when you are shipping a product. After it closes, you can go to the website and find out how you can get it once all Kickstarter backers are rewarded.

Well here's a better story about Andromeda... The 2 Guys from Andromeda! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spaceventure/two-guys-spaceventure-by-the-creators-of-space-que ...don't hurt me >_>

its only the first stage of the release. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/Musopen/record-and-release-free-music-without-copyrights/posts

Would you have preferred "Internet Command"?

naive students, fresh out of college; arrogant, idealistic, and with unrealistic dreams, with no sense of demographics, and no experience

You mean like these guys or these guys?

If you have experience and some sort of name in the industry you can sell to people who have real money, just as easily as you can sell to some guy on the net with $10.

Yes, and may be you don't want to sell to people who have real money, because they want to buy you to make product, not to buy the product you make. That was a big part of Fargo's motivation to go to Kickstarter.

naive students, fresh out of college; arrogant, idealistic, and with unrealistic dreams, with no sense of demographics, and no experience

You mean like these guys or these guys?

If you have experience and some sort of name in the industry you can sell to people who have real money, just as easily as you can sell to some guy on the net with $10.

Yes, and may be you don't want to sell to people who have real money, because they want to buy you to make product, not to buy the product you make. That was a big part of Fargo's motivation to go to Kickstarter.

But i could totally be making wacky furniture in 12 days!

obviously, http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/amandapalmer/amanda-palmer-the-new-record-art-book-and-tour never, ever, never - nope, impossible

A lot more, but publishers don't work like that. Just see the vid, there is a lot of truth in it. Just getting it founded from a publisher would most likely result in it getting clausules to include things that in in the "current most popular franchises", which may or may not include a joke about "The cake being a lie".

Well Stainless Games will be using Steam for Carmageddon: Reincarnation ... I'd prefer completely DRM free... but if they're going to use a DRM based distribution network Steam right now is the best there is - especially since they'll be using SteamPlay (for PC&Mac from one sale), SteamWorks (for multiplayer) and Steam Achievements....

Just hit $270k of the $400k goal.... so if you loved the old Carmageddon games (well 1 and 2 anyway) check out their kickstarter page.....

The reward tiers are pretty generous too ;)

Pretty certain it's not:

Can I get my digital copy on Steam, if I want?
Absolutely. The digital copies will be made available through Steam and other DRM free digital distribution methods.

PLEDGE $55 OR MORE ... premiere access to an early playable beta on steam.

Source

Donate to this and you'll get a free one when they are developed. It's only got 9 hours left at the time of writing so I'd hurry. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-e-paper-watch-for-iphone-and-android

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-e-paper-watch-for-iphone-and-android

I assume by now you've followed the links to Pebble? Sounds like the closest to what you want. (You didn't say e-paper, but it seems logical.)

Good sir or madam, I would like to introduce to you the Pebble:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-e-paper-watch-for-iphone-and-android

It is an e-paper watch that runs a stripped down version of Ubuntu (read: no Unity), and can pair (via Bluetooth) with your iPhone or Android phone to do interesting things. I highly recommend that you check it out. The big drawback is that they are not going to be available immediately, but you can preorder through Kickstarter.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Kickstarter or Pebble, I simply think it is an interesting concept that other people would be interested in.