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Another $99 Web Terminal

An Anonymous Coward writes: "If anyone is looking for a fun $99 hacking project, Tiger direct has Compaq Ipaq's for $99, great little web browsing terminals, they support Flash, jJava, ActiveX. The parts (LCD screen etc) are probably worth more than this. You'll need to get a USB Ethernet adapter so you can use broadband." Tiger Direct seems to have a mixed reputation for service, but at under a hundred dollars, this looks pretty tempting even if only used as a digital photo frame, or an adjunct mail terminal.

7 of 225 comments (clear)

  1. Leenucks by 1010011010 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Before this generates another spate of email about Linux and the IA-1, I have modified versions of Jailbait available on FBM.

    They are for a 16MB CF card. Do this to put an image on the CF card:
    dd if=image.img of=/dev/CF-DEVICE bs=1M

    I will not tell you the root password. Boot single-user to not have to use the password, then do "passwd root" to change it.

    You can boot single-user by adding the word "single" at the lilo prompt. For instance, "hdc single" -- where "hdc" is the lilo profile name.

    Enjoy. The jailbait site has information on rebuilding Jailbait images.

    p.s. avoid the Netgear EA101 USB Ethernet adapter, and perhaps any other adapter that uses the kaweth driver -- the hardware isn't reliable. Get a nice Pegasus adapter, like a D-Link.

    --
    Napster-to-go says "Fill and refill your compatible MP3 player", which is a lie. It's not MP3. It's WMA with DRM.
  2. IA-1 Specs by FreakyGeeky · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's a place that lists all the IA-1s specs along with other thin clients and PDAs.

  3. Uggg...Passport by RedWolves2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It uses passport and hotmail as the e-mail account!?!

    Great for $99 I am going to learn things like where to find cheap viagra and how to increase my bust size as well as find Hot Horny 18 year olds.

    Sounds like a great present to give to someone.

  4. Re:Notice the term "Recertified" by VA+Software · · Score: 5, Informative


    There is an explanation of "recertified" elsewhere on the site (this one for an IBM product)

    These monitors are recertified by IBM. They are not used. These monitors have been returned to IBM for a number of reasons, i.e.: a customer refused shipment, returned the monitor without opening the box, or received the shipment in a damaged box. IBM completely recertifies these monitors--at their factory--and repacks them in brand new packaging. They are recertified to "as-brand-new" condition and pass quality control checks. They carry the full IBM one-year warranty. Why pay more? These monitors are in brand-new condition, with full factory certification--and you pocket the savings!

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  5. Tiger Direct service by smartin · · Score: 5, Informative

    Tiger Direct seems to have a mixed reputation for service

    Having bought a bunch of Audrey's off them and following the hacking community at linux-hacker.net I'd just like to put in a positive word for Tiger Direct. They have treated us well with the Audrey's, taking back defective units even though they expicitly said up front when you bought them that they were not returnable. They repeatedly asked the board for input and comment on pricing and product offerings and finally sold off all the returned machines (some of which there was nothing wrong with) for parts at a dirt cheap price. I would not hesitate to deal with them again.

    --
    The difference between Canada and the USA is that in Canada healthcare is a right and gun ownership is a privilege.
  6. Re:Notice the term "Recertified" by fmaxwell · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have never had any problems with Refurbished products. I see refurbished being more reliable then buying off the self.

    I agree with you 100%. A refurbished product is normally gone over by someone who has some technical expertise while the "new" product is something that was put together by monkeys taught to wield a soldering iron.

  7. Debian works nicely on it by nowt · · Score: 5, Informative
    After perusing the linuxhacker stuff and looking carefully at the jailbait files, I was able to use jailbait's /etc/lilo.conf as a basis for booting into debian potato (dumped onto a microdrive).


    Now it's on debian-sid with gnome running nicely (Trident video driver). USB networking fine (2.4.16 kernel with kaweth and pegasus both rolled in for 3com usb + linksys adapters).


    The only outstanding item I've not been able to get working is the audio chip. Here's a link on what it is. The annoying bit is support for this does exist in the current 2.4.16 a97 codec drivers but via an intel i810-type chip. This is AMD based.

    --
    A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess? - Joshua (Wargames)