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Dashboard Linux - 1 Year Later

Posted by michael on from the how-to-raise-your-insurance-rates dept.

bergeron76 writes "It's been just over a year since the DashPC/Dashboard Linux project initially got jump started. Since then, the project has grown by an order of magnitude. The initial codebase has been released on freshmeat and sourceforge, and we're working with several other developers on integrating projects such as Linux GPS Navigation, wardrive mapping, and ODBII automobile interfacing. The potential is endless, considering just a couple of recent news headlines, and how we'd love to eventually bring them to both new and existing automobiles."

4 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. file under.... by Cnik70 · · Score: 1, Interesting

    "is this trip really necessary" interesting idea.... but a bit much???

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    -Cnik
  2. AWESOME! by _narf_ · · Score: 3, Interesting


    They've got ODB-II support as part of the project.

    For those who don't know it's a 'standard' way to interface to the car's onboard computer that most newer (~1995+) cars support. I don't recall all the specifics right now, but there's three different flavors (sort of the physical layer) of ODB-II. It roughly (but not quite) breaks down into North American, Asian, and Eurpoean makes. (i think)

    You can easily query all kinds of things in realtime, view logs/alerts, and probably a ton more.

    I've briefly looked into this for someone who likes to tinker with cars, and I sense I'll be looking into it much more soon. :)

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    Have you painted a shed today?
  3. Another option by SCHecklerX · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I've found that the toshiba libretto (I have a 110CT) fits perfectly right above my gearshift on my mazda protege (after creating a shelf using a couple of pieces of pvc pipe and some scrap plastic for a mount in the cup holder). I use it mostly for mp3, but also use it for maps and as a normal laptop at home with the wireless network (and I can check mail from the car as I pull in...cool :). While in the car it also functions as a wireless network stumbler, using kismet, and when bored in heavy traffic, hey, I can view my pr0n collection ;)

    Since I have a full screen and keyboard, there was no need for any type of special hardware hacks or custom software. I can use xmms as is. It's a really sweet setup and only cost me ~550 ($400 for the libretto on ebay, $100 for the 20 gig drive, $50 for the memory upgrade). Use keymaps in windowmaker to launch stuff and it's a great little setup.

  4. watch a DVD? by yack0 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Some of the folks in the DashPC list have systems that will play DVD's, but they also have screens in the back for the passengers. Not that it'd be impossible to put the DVD up to the front monitor, but they don't, as an admitted practice, do it.

    Several people have related stories of being pulled over for a 'TV within view of the driver' which is illegal is LOTS of places, but then the DashPC user will show them 'no, it's navigation, and MP3, and a rear view mirror, and a coffee maker.....' and the cops are generaly intrigued by it. I don't think anyone on the list reported getting a ticket for it yet.

    Not having one myself, but knowing how I'm planning to install it, I'm learning a lot from the list. It seems that a lot of the folks have a PC in the trunk wired to a screen and controls up front, while the rest have a custom made tiny PC that fits in some hole in their car. I'm going for the latter option, which will be stored in the center console with a screen in a custom made dash panel.

    It also seems that there's been some cry out for some coders to help the project, so if you're interested, go read some archived stuff and jump into the list.

    Well, hope that helps with some more info for those that can't get to the Slashdotted site.

    j

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    -- There is no sig line, only Zuul.