Slashdot Mirror

"Despite the plentiful extra space inside the cube, the unit is powered by a rather large external wall-mount power supply." (Quote from this page, in the middle above the larger image.)

So much for a 2.2 x 2.4 inch CerfBoard in a 3x3x3 inch box! Anybody know how big the power supply is? They imply it's huge by not mentioning anything about it's size other than what I quoted above.

So, this initiative is certainly *not* unrelated to the earlier Nokia activities. Odd, though, that Nokia's not one of the founders of this alliance. In fact, Nokia recently launched their own open project.

hmmm....

So, this initiative is certainly *not* unrelated to the earlier Nokia activities. Odd, though, that Nokia's not one of the founders of this alliance. In fact, Nokia recently launched their own open project.

hmmm....

So, this initiative is certainly *not* unrelated to the earlier Nokia activities. Odd, though, that Nokia's not one of the founders of this alliance. In fact, Nokia recently launched their own open project.

hmmm....

just so the news here
And this RedHat 7.1 with 2.4 kernel scales up to 8 itanium processor!
--

Here is a quote from the the last page of the article:

"One really exciting possibility is that, since all the system logs are stored, this information can also be provided to music labels and other companies involved in the music business," adds Grison. "Imagine a bar with 200 people able to rate music in real time or the information provided by a million home users -- that's pure gold for the music industry!" (emphasis added)

Am I the only one who thinks that something may be wrong if some "companies involved in the music business" can see at any time what I am currently listening to (in my living room), or what I have been listening to during the year?

I do not know how much information is stored in these "system logs", but even the simple fact of knowing that I am currently listening to some music or not (even without knowing what it is) can be a risk. More exactly, allowing strangers to know that I have not been listening to anything in the last week although I was previously using this service regularly could mean that I am not at home for a while. This could be an open invitation to some burglars... And all this without even knowing what I am listening to. But I assume that the logs store this information as well, which could be interesting for many companies... but not in a way that I am confortable with.

Interesting link to Kevin Dankward's rant on the fragmentation of embedded linux. It is a response to the "Embedded Linux Consortium"'s proposed standard, which he claims:

"As stated, the ELC proposal will allow closed source alternatives to be certified. An OS with runtime royalties can be certified; an unreliable and unrobust alternative can be certified; an OS with poor networking can be certified; an OS with few drivers and tools can be certified; an OS with a small number of trained programmers can be certified."

That's the first time I've seen anyone in the mainstream mention a certified, closed source version of Linux. There is certainly a very strong push between a few vendors to become the "industry standard for embedded linux"... but closed source?

yuck. how could any linux company be that stupid?

Hopefully he's just being alarmist.

The article concludes with the question . . . "Wind River has made it clear that they plan to support -- and hope to gain the support of -- the BSD open source developer community. But the question remains -- how warmly will FreeBSD developers welcome the potential dominance of BSD UNIX by the world's leading proprietary embedded OS vendor?"

Well, I see that somebody already posted about where to get LCD screens..

For the actual CPU module, I suggest you check out a place like EMJ Embedded systems (or a better deal you find via the web -- They are the only URL I've got).

Really, one of the MIPS or StrongARM heavily integrated processors with the LCD controller integrated would be rather nice. But it seems that nobody's selling general purpose SBCs based on those chips -- at least not as far as I can tell from my limited glances. Linux Devices might have some information you want, however.

Hope that helps. I've been yearning for inexpensive devices like you are wanting that because I'd love to put that sort of feature into my game.

Far be it from me to criticize the sacred cow of Linux! I retract it all! Linux is perfect for every application! From coffee machines to rackmount server farms, from PDAs to desktop machines, for Games and serious applications, everything is always better with Linux in every concievable way.

The article is right about people wanting to get there hands some of these 'embedded' devices. I have been drooling over the items listed here on LinuxDevices

One of the most interesting ive seen is ZFLinux's MachZ System On a Chip - have a look at the a build of their reference implementation shown at at Linux World (half way down on the right - the thing has a tiny LCD - very cool)

For extra bonus karma-whorific-ness: Look at this: World's Smallest Web Server - Its just plain cool

The article is right about people wanting to get there hands some of these 'embedded' devices. I have been drooling over the items listed here on LinuxDevices

One of the most interesting ive seen is ZFLinux's MachZ System On a Chip - have a look at the a build of their reference implementation shown at at Linux World (half way down on the right - the thing has a tiny LCD - very cool)

For extra bonus karma-whorific-ness: Look at this: World's Smallest Web Server - Its just plain cool

The article is right about people wanting to get there hands some of these 'embedded' devices. I have been drooling over the items listed here on LinuxDevices

One of the most interesting ive seen is ZFLinux's MachZ System On a Chip - have a look at the a build of their reference implementation shown at at Linux World (half way down on the right - the thing has a tiny LCD - very cool)

For extra bonus karma-whorific-ness: Look at this: World's Smallest Web Server - Its just plain cool

fyi, here's another new "tiny" linux-based set-top box from Asia. This one, called the canD contains a National Semiconductor MediaGX processor, with 8MB ROM and 16MB SDRAM memory. The unit provides 2 USB ports for connection of external peripherals such printers and digital cameras, and a 10/100 Mbit Ethernet port for connection to the Internet. Other external connections include stereo audio output, video out, and S-Video. It's internal embedded linux OS is XTinux from Coventive and it uses the AXIS NetFront browser.

fyi, here's another new "tiny" linux-based set-top box from Asia. This one, called the canD contains a National Semiconductor MediaGX processor, with 8MB ROM and 16MB SDRAM memory. The unit provides 2 USB ports for connection of external peripherals such printers and digital cameras, and a 10/100 Mbit Ethernet port for connection to the Internet. Other external connections include stereo audio output, video out, and S-Video. It's internal embedded linux OS is XTinux from Coventive and it uses the AXIS NetFront browser.

fyi, here's another new "tiny" linux-based set-top box from Asia. This one, called the canD contains a National Semiconductor MediaGX processor, with 8MB ROM and 16MB SDRAM memory. The unit provides 2 USB ports for connection of external peripherals such printers and digital cameras, and a 10/100 Mbit Ethernet port for connection to the Internet. Other external connections include stereo audio output, video out, and S-Video. It's internal embedded linux OS is XTinux from Coventive and it uses the AXIS NetFront browser.

Do a search for SBC or single board computer. LinuxDevices has a section on them. Also see Advantech they have a bunch of 5.25 or 3.5 form factor computers with no fans. I got a 300Mhz Geode box (x86 pent class) with ether, sound, video, KB/Mouse, Floppy, UDMA 33(LINUX SUPPORTED) and I am pretty sure that you can get them with TV out support, though I'm not sure if there are linux drivers for em. They also have a few board that support the bigger mobile pentiums, but that would most likely require a fan.

• Exploring Linux PDA software alternatives (Part 1) -- this is the intro to the series and explores the history, status, alternative architectures, and future developments of Linux on PDAs and handheld devices. Introduces the Microwindows, Trolltech, and Transvirtual support too.

• Hacking the iPAQ with Linux, for fun and profit (Part 2) -- In this installment, we prepare for future exploration of three "off-the-shelf" iPAQ PDA distro's, by obtaining, installing, and testing the "generic" iPAQ Linux support from handhelds.org.

• Installing Microwindows on the iPAQ (Part 3) -- This installment explains how to download, install, configure, and test the Microwindows Development Toolkit by Century Software. Learn how to install the full X-based simulation of the iPAQ ScreenTop environment on your desktop Linux box -- that way, you can develop and run iPAQ apps while you're waiting for your iPAQ to arrive (or if you aren't ready to buy one)!

Part 4? It's coming "real soon" -- it's on the Trollech stuff . . . -- Rick

• Exploring Linux PDA software alternatives (Part 1) -- this is the intro to the series and explores the history, status, alternative architectures, and future developments of Linux on PDAs and handheld devices. Introduces the Microwindows, Trolltech, and Transvirtual support too.

• Hacking the iPAQ with Linux, for fun and profit (Part 2) -- In this installment, we prepare for future exploration of three "off-the-shelf" iPAQ PDA distro's, by obtaining, installing, and testing the "generic" iPAQ Linux support from handhelds.org.

• Installing Microwindows on the iPAQ (Part 3) -- This installment explains how to download, install, configure, and test the Microwindows Development Toolkit by Century Software. Learn how to install the full X-based simulation of the iPAQ ScreenTop environment on your desktop Linux box -- that way, you can develop and run iPAQ apps while you're waiting for your iPAQ to arrive (or if you aren't ready to buy one)!

Part 4? It's coming "real soon" -- it's on the Trollech stuff . . . -- Rick

• Exploring Linux PDA software alternatives (Part 1) -- this is the intro to the series and explores the history, status, alternative architectures, and future developments of Linux on PDAs and handheld devices. Introduces the Microwindows, Trolltech, and Transvirtual support too.

• Hacking the iPAQ with Linux, for fun and profit (Part 2) -- In this installment, we prepare for future exploration of three "off-the-shelf" iPAQ PDA distro's, by obtaining, installing, and testing the "generic" iPAQ Linux support from handhelds.org.

• Installing Microwindows on the iPAQ (Part 3) -- This installment explains how to download, install, configure, and test the Microwindows Development Toolkit by Century Software. Learn how to install the full X-based simulation of the iPAQ ScreenTop environment on your desktop Linux box -- that way, you can develop and run iPAQ apps while you're waiting for your iPAQ to arrive (or if you aren't ready to buy one)!

Part 4? It's coming "real soon" -- it's on the Trollech stuff . . . -- Rick

Other references :

• Oct 12, 1999
• Feb 10, 2000
• Sep 08, 2000
• Jan 05, 2001

Other references :

• Oct 12, 1999
• Feb 10, 2000
• Sep 08, 2000
• Jan 05, 2001

Other references :

• Oct 12, 1999
• Feb 10, 2000
• Sep 08, 2000
• Jan 05, 2001

google -> feel lucky -> Device profile: Nokia Media Terminal dated 'Oct. 19, 2000'

Maybe the san jose mercury news is not a good news source for tech info / news but well for taking the 'temerature' (ambiance ?) of standard peoples.

This LinuxDevices.com article based on an interview with the project manager provides some technical info about the vehicle's Linux+Java based "Infotronics" system, which consists of four PC/104-based single-board computers running Red Hat 6.2, Sun JVM, and Espial DeviceTop. "The goal of the Infotronic system is to provide Infotainment, 'edutainment,' and entertainment services that meet the lifestyle of each individual driver or passenger," says DaimlerChrysler. heh. Cool photo of the dashboard "Infotronics" console (with embedded linux), too.

. . . this online reference might be of interest: The Real-time Linux Quick Reference Guide -- "a handy index of distributions and implementations of the Linux kernel, Linux add-ons, and other software that support the enhanced responsiveness required for process control, high speed communications, streaming media, and other real-time applications."

. . . there's a picture of the device here, and an interview with PalmPalm's CTO here.

. . . there's a picture of the device here, and an interview with PalmPalm's CTO here.

PalmPalm Technology and the SK Telecom Central R&D Laboratory in Korea will begin shipping a combo cellphone/PDA, the "IMT-2000", this November. In case you're interested, there's an interviewwith PalmPalm's VP of Engineering with some details about the new device (some info was unavailable, because of a nondisclosure agreement between PalmPalm and SK Telecom). Besides having a complete built-in cellphone, the IMT-2000 has a 4" TFT display and a tiny built-in video camera, and will be provided with all the usual PDA functions. The PDA portion of the device is based on an 206 MHz Intel StrongARM SA1110, has 32M RAM and 32M Flash internal memory, and provides USB and serial ports for external I/O. The linux OS is based PalmPalm's "Tynux" embedded linux with Qt/Embedded for the GUI framework.

Ah, the sweet smell of legitimacy that comes from a tired trade rag and a feeble attempt at eyeball-trolling. The only question is, which members of ZDNET's talkback-audience are simultaneously technically adept enough to be able to put one of these boxes together and not already have explored his options (i.e., need ZDNET to explain it to him)? Let's go to the field and find out:

...

Hmmm, there are only two talkbacks, and one of them is from the webmaster. So there you have it!

btw, if you're interested in embedding linux, please vote in the survey -- tnx :)

btw, if you're interested in embedding linux, please vote in the survey -- tnx :)

There's also a story about their scheduler...

there's some DECT info here

I wonder how IBM's new embedded Java VM for Linux compares. It's available as a beta for x86 and PPC Linux. MontaVista recently made an announcement that they'll be distributing it with their release of HardHat Linux.

IBM is running X11 (R6.3) on a wristwatch.
--

As some have said this is basically an embedded processor solution. Sure it is not a Pentium, but it runs what it needs to with enough speed. For those of you interested here are a bunch of interesting links:
- Linux Devices
- Embedded Linux
- Embedded Planet
There are others, though if you visit the first link you should find all sorts of Linux related emmbedded solutions.

From their website:

SMARTDATA's objective is to design and develop a revolutionary architecture that will allow for multiple combinations of functionality within one device, and targeting the fast growing mobile Internet appliances market. A patent for this new architecture was applied for in August 1999 and is currently pending.

From the linuxdevices.com article:

Buttet says his company has applied for a patent on "technology that enables the production of cost effective credit card sized modular pocket internet appliances."

I agree, this is scarey, credit card sized computers are quite an obvious way to go in the computer industry with the "smaller, faster, better" mantra. Not to mention some prior art in uCSIMM? Don't the european smartcards already have CPU's on them?

I don't know about this at all... If they only patent their own technology which allows them to make these, instead of the device itself, then I guess someone else can develop a similar device another way, but both these statements show different things being patented.

-- iCEBaLM

From their site:
HITACHI 10.4" LCD SCREENS
300 pcs Hitachi 10.4" Dual Scan LCD screen model LMG9300XUCC, new pulls. As low as $90.00each for the lot! DA408

So the screens by themselves are available for fairly cheap prices if someone is willing to just go out and hack together a system. Mainly you would need to find an embedded PC system which has an onboard LCD driver (available quite commonly in industry), wire together, add a hard drive, enet if necessary, and that would be all.

Several embedded versions of Linux floating around (look at http://www.linuxdevices.com) that would work great.

• embedded linux - including Red Hat Tools for Embedded Developers
• 
  EL/IX Application Programming Interface - an embedded application programming interface
  Graphical IDE - cold fusion
  Hard Hat Linux - os for embedded appls
  mobile linux - allows linux to work on very small devices
  

I find this article interesting, as I've watched the attention paid to embedded linux grow since the summer, a time when it was a far less mature market. The splitting off of Lineo from Caldera was one of the more interesting developments that I've seen, although the purchase of cygnus by Redhat also added to the legitimacy of the market. With the recent CPU announcement by the Silicon Valley 'wunderkind' Transmeta, embedded linux has really entered a more mainstream commercial phase.

The article on ZDNet helped to point out some of the majors issues in the industry. Who wants to pay for the 250 licenses needed for even a smallscale embedded application. It may mean less to the typical consumer who might pay $90 for a copy of windows, but I really think the cost issue associated with embedded linux applications is way more relevant than in the server or desktop market. It doesn't make a big difference if you pay $250 for software on a $16,000 server compared to buying a Software license for say $30-40 on a $200 portable web device.

Another good point they brought up is ease of use. It doesn't matter to the endconsumer what OS the product uses, as long as it performs as expected, and without high incidence of failure (high being relative) Many of the companies in the embedded linux software side of the market provide technical support as a primary source of income (linuxcare, montavista, etc) Although some companies such as Lineo appear to be pursuing a more license based approach (although still providing plenty of technical support) Hopefully the end result will still be a savings of cost, but the high amount of technical support provided by these companies should help to offset any difficulty in actually using linux as the core of these applications.

Other benefits not explored in the article include portability, the 'open source' ability to take an already extant solution and modify to suit your individual projects, as well as the ability to advance or modify a project that may have been discontinued, or to correct bugs without waiting for the original programmers to take action.

Embedded projects are often so unique that a non-custom solution is often useless. The ability to customize linux combined with its low cost of use really makes this appropriate for this industry. I don't think the ZDNet article was worthless, and it in fact brought to light some points that people might not realize about embedded applications. It may seem like its just repeating stuff that people have always been talking about, but I think it was worth repeating and highlighting for this specific market. I see the success of embedded linux continuing to grow, and perhaps to exceed the growth that linux is seeing in other markets.

If you would like to learn more about embedded linux and whats going on in the industry, please check out Linuxdevices.com