Linux Port of Netpliance's I-Opener?

2bfree writes "Netpliance has the I-Opener for $200 and I was wondering if anybody was working on a port for Linux for it. This would be great for controlling other computers on a home network with VNC, Internet access for people that come over and maybe playing MP3s off the network. What do you guys think? " Update: 03/12 12:50 by C :It seems that there is a solution! Check here for the details.

Comments

Update: $99

[SEWilco]

Look again. The i-opener is now $99.

It caught my eye also. I've squeezed Linux into about 12K before, so could probably fit it there. 32K RAM is tight for web browsing, of course.

There's no network port. I could talk to another Linux box through the parallel port, or the modem if it's not a proprietary modem (I can make a modem-to-modem interface if I can tell both modems to not expect a dialtone or ring).

The i-opener uses the Trident CyberBLADE i7 graphics chip -- I haven't checked the level of Linux support for it. I also don't know how standard the signals from the mouse on the keyboard is.

Re:Just thought of something

[technos]

The software/OS can be live updated over the wire as is. Best case, it would mean sending a trick image over the 56K modem and installing the rest USB/PLIP.

Worst case involves wiring to the bus.. Ewww.. I'm hoping they're forthcoming with specifications, so I can quit playing the guestimate man
I've ordered another one from Netpliance.. $100 bucks isn't bad for a play toy.. I'll crack the case when I get it..

Re:iopener runs QNX

[technos]

I've gone through their media Q&A. This is what is known:

It runs QNX.
200mhz x86 processor. I'm guessing MediaGX
16M FlashROM, 32M RAM. 4M of user filespace.

And to boot, they profess that they may support alternative embedded OS, specifically mentioning Linux.

I'm hot to do this. I've got some experience with kernel internals, but I'm not a guru grade wizard yet. I'd need help, especially from the Embedded Linux camps. Any interested parties should contact me via email. I have also contacted Netpliance with a request for deeper specification.

Re:Razor's cheap, blades'll cost ya

[technos]

You can neither use the normal I-Opener ISP with a PC nor the converse. The iopener expects a signon containing information such as software update, etc, that is only relevant to the factory 'PIA' configuration.. The modem is a standard V.90, and it doesn't do anything funny. The OS/dialer just expects that little extra bit of handshaking that makes iopener's ISP and any standard one mutually exclusive..

They do offer 'combination' service for both a PC and an iopener for prices cheaper than, say, Compuserve or AOL..