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Linux Powered Christmas Tree

_xeno_ writes "Ever wondered what happens if you cross a Christmas tree with a Linux server? You get ChristmasTree.WPI.EDU. It's a Red Hat 7.2 server running on an artificial Christmas tree as a decoration. You can make the tree play different songs (no, not your browser, the tree's soundcard) by clicking on the pictures. Apparently, the ability to control the tree lights is coming soon." Just when you think you've seen it all, someone changes what "It" is.

21 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. Brings new meaning by Fillup · · Score: 5, Funny

    Brings new meaning to the term "fire hazard."

    --
    "I think there is a world market for, maybe, five computers." __ IBM Chairman, 1943 __
  2. urk by faeryman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Please tell me the didn't choose Red Hat because Santa Claus wears one.

    --


    ,
    faeryman
  3. here is a clue on how not to get a christmas date by linzeal · · Score: 5, Funny

    do not tell some girl that you have a linux powered christmas tree, and never ever give her the url for it with you standing next to it.

  4. I hope Santa... by thelen · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...brings a fire extinguisher this year.

  5. Hmm... by appleprophet · · Score: 4, Funny

    First tree in history to be slashdotted?

  6. Better check out the page quick.... by moniker_21 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Yes, that computer you see in the christmas tree is the actual one serving this web page and music! It is a Pentium 100 with 64MB RAM, running Red Hat Linux 7.2.


    Lets count the seconds until the /. effect kicks in....

    4... 3... 2... 1...
    --
    I posted to /. and all I got was this stupid sig
  7. Obligatory Beowulf cluster comment by flegged · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can you imagine a Beowulf cluster of these?

    Or would that be a Beowulf forest?

    --

    "I think he was truly surprised at how little I cared about how big a market the Mac had" - Linus on Jobs
    1. Re:Obligatory Beowulf cluster comment by flegged · · Score: 2, Funny

      Or how about running a cvs server? I wonder what would be in their tree?

      (Sorry)

      --

      "I think he was truly surprised at how little I cared about how big a market the Mac had" - Linus on Jobs
    2. Re:Obligatory Beowulf cluster comment by flegged · · Score: 5, Funny

      What if you were to log in as root?

      --

      "I think he was truly surprised at how little I cared about how big a market the Mac had" - Linus on Jobs
    3. Re:Obligatory Beowulf cluster comment by DigitalEntropy · · Score: 3, Funny

      I guess if one were to fall, it probably would make some noise ("Jingle Bells... Jingle Bells...") whether or not anyone was around.

      --

      Thank you for reading One Man's Opinion. No participation necessary. Offer void where deemed by law or PATRIOT Act.
  8. It comes back every year... by Kirkoff · · Score: 4, Funny

    So let's sing it again and spread some Christmas cheer!

    better !pout !cry
    better watchout
    lpr why
    santa claus town

    cat /etc/passwd > list
    ncheck list
    ncheck list
    cat list | grep naughty > nogiftlist
    cat list | grep nice > giftlist
    santa claus town

    who | grep sleeping
    who | grep awake
    who | grep bad || good
    for (goodness sake) {
    be good
    }

    Think this code is on the tree?

    --Josh

    --
    There are exactly 42,935,718 letter sized sheets in a square mile.
  9. The origonal code used to run it by bluenirve · · Score: 3, Funny

    activate(SPY_CAM,1,cam1);
    cam1.monitor(BOYS,GIRLS);
    if (BOYS == "good")
    {
    give(presents, BOYS);
    }
    if (GIRLS == "good")
    {
    give(presents, GIRLS);
    }
    else
    {
    give(coal, BOTH);
    }

  10. Errr... by Psarchasm · · Score: 5, Funny

    Chuck buddy... you are in dire need of a woman.

    --
    http://windows.scares.us
  11. C'mon everyone, have a heart! by Saint+Aardvark · · Score: 5, Funny

    Honestly, just imagine 80,000 attempts at starting "Silver Bells" that get no further than the first three notes. His office mates are gonna kill him.

  12. SSH exploit didn't give me tree /root by LM741N · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think its running the Secure Ornament Server.
    SOS

    Rob.

  13. Alma Mater by Cheeko · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well after 4 years and $125,000 I can honestly feel proud about something my school did. Even if not directly sponsored by the school. Probably the first time WPI has been /.ed too.

  14. Netops is jizzin in their pants by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'll bet Charles R Anderson and the rest of the netops/ex-netops crew (yes that means you frank, phro, kozer, sean etc.) are coming all over each each other about excitement of being on slashdot!

  15. Hear that? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    That's literally the sound of a thousand terrible slashdotters setting their Christmas tree on fire...

  16. um by nomadic · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ever wondered what happens if you cross a Christmas tree with a Linux server?

    No.

  17. Dear chuck by PanBanger · · Score: 3, Funny

    There's a big yellow thing in the sky. It's called the sun. Check it out sometime!

  18. Alright... by cr0sh · · Score: 3, Funny

    As has already been posted numerous times - this isn't much of a hack - a server out of the case sitting in a fake tree - YAWN...

    So, here is a free project - do it this year (not much time left, but I bet somebody could do it), or next - or whenever...

    Get a piece of plywood or cardboard, cut it out in the shape of a christmas tree. Paint it (green for the tree, brown trunk, maybe some ornaments, or not).

    Arrange a buttload of LEDs - red, green, yellow (and maybe blue if you are rich) - on the tree, by drilling holes (or, if you cut out the tree from pegboard, it is pre-drilled!) - now, here is where you can go wild:

    1. Arrange them in a dense grid - and hook them up to the server to play tetris, etc (you know the routine). Add a web-cam, plus MP3 xmas songs through the sound card. Or use a SBC running Linux - or something.
    2. Arrange them randomly, and have strings pulsing and flashing to the music. Maybe do a double "tree" - with two pieces of pegboard at right angles, and careful wire arrangement (to make it look like decorations as well?), and have the tree spin on a turntable (power would have to be applied via batteries and and SBC, and a wireless NIC).

    Remember the web cam!

    Post it to /. and watch it melt down!

    Come on, someone should build this...soon!

    --
    Reason is the Path to God - Anon