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VNC Server for Toasters and Light-Switches

An anonymous reader submits: "How about using VNC to configure your toaster, microwave oven, or even your light-switches? Thanks to Adam Dunkels' micro-VNC server it is now possible to run a VNC server even on really small embedded 8-bit microcontrollers commonly found in such devices. The idea is that even low-cost devices that don't have a screen or graphics hardware could have a GUI, accessible over the network. To show that the server can run with very small amounts of memory, there is a demo server running on a Commodore 64. But the real question is: how would want to 'configure' their toasters using a GUI?"

9 of 290 comments (clear)

  1. Way to go, funny guys... by FortKnox · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, back in the day we used to say "Lets install Linux on a toaster!" and it was a joke.

    But now someone actually took it seriously, and look whatcha dun!! You should be ashamed!

    --
    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
  2. Pop-UP? by budalite · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, when your toast is done, will there be a "pop-up" window telling you that? Sorry. Couldn't help it.

    MadDad32

  3. /. effect by Wrexen · · Score: 5, Funny

    Quoth the page:
    The pages you are currently watching are served by a web server running on a an Ethernet equipped 6510-based system with 64k RAM running at 1 MHz (a Commodore 64 with a TFE cartridge). The same system also exports two displays using VNC and the small uVNC server software.

    Other servers have come down like they were Commodore 64's, but this one actually is one!

  4. In another of those "Huh?" moments..... by mickwd · · Score: 4, Funny

    ....I thought the title was VNC Server for Toasters and Light-Sandwiches.

    But then I realised there's no such thing as a free lunch.

  5. Re:Commodore 64 and the slashdot effect... by MrNally · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hmmm...let's take a PEEK.

    POKE.

  6. configure by brer_rabbit · · Score: 5, Funny
    But the real question is: how would want to 'configure' their toasters using a GUI?

    ./configure --with-bread --enable-top-brown-only --enable-honey --disable-butter

    oops, that's the CLI. I don't know about the GUI version.

  7. And in 100 years... by VValdo · · Score: 4, Funny

    An anonymous reader submits: "How about using an external control, made of plastic or metal, to configure your toaster, microwave oven, or even your light-switches? Thanks to Adam Dunkels' "dial", it is no longer necessary to run a VNC server on really small embedded 8-bit microcontrollers commonly found in such devices. The idea is that even low-cost devices that don't have a screen or graphics hardware could have a physical control, like a GUI only in 3-d space, accessible right on the device...But the real question is: who would want to 'configure' their toasters using a physical dial?"

    --
    -------------------
    This is my SIG. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
  8. Re:Good STUFF! by scott1853 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I was immediately thinking of how much I could freak out the wife by making all the appliances turn themselves on and off. She still gets confused when the mouse on the home computer starts moving around on it's own while I'm at work.

  9. Re:Good STUFF! by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Or Turn on your A/C from work because it's going to be a HOT afternoon. (Sure could use that today)."

    Turning on AC's now? Wahtcha gonna do, send them Goatse?