Slashdot Mirror
Model Train Control Using Your PDA
VP writes "Forget that crap about PDAs making you more productive by keeping useless contact lists and appointment reminders. Here is the real reason PDAs exist: locopalm.com. You might want to check out the TechTV spot as well."
I want to be able to drive my car with my PDA/Cell phone.
I want to be able to fly a remote control helicopter, too!
Here's a mirror.
LocoPalm
LocoMon
LocoConfig
LocoProg
Adapter
I.O.U One Sig.
Was he running his website on his PDA as well? Did we crash his train too?
"She's a West Texas girl, just like me" - G.W Bush Iraqis
you are SOOOO talking to the wrong people.
YOU SUCK BALLS!
Projects like this are a lot of fun, and a great way to get into electronics.
Lead developer, http://wisptools.net
this won't be cool until you can use a Palm to make 2 model trains collide and explode like in the Addams Family.
"And this is my boy, Sherman. Speak, Sherman." "Hello." "Good boy."
It's great that someone has figured out how to control model trains with a palm pilot, but think of how useful a Palm could be to control various appliances and circuits in your house. This has been done with computers, but it isn't too practical. But with a Palm, imagine... You wake up in the morning, find the Palm Pilot on your night stand, and push a button to start the coffee maker. Did your kids leave the lights on in a dozen rooms in the house, and you've just settled down to watch the game? Turn 'em all off in a snap with the Palm Pilot by your side.
How about we work on CONSTRUCTIVE projects that would make this world a better place.
Or at least someting cool like...
VNC Server for Toasters and Light-Switches
and
TCP/IP Enabled Lego Bricks
Karma: The shiznight, mostly because I am the Drizzle.
The locopalm is nice, however ...what is really amazing are the goals my 9 year old met to be able to Rent-A-Locomotive at the Golden Gate Museum Railroad!
His face was full of delight as he drove an actual locomotive (under an engineer's instruction, of course).
Sometimes there's nothing quite like the real thing.
--Hopscotch
Who really cares? everyday i keep seeing the same bullshit. Guy controls train with PDA. whoohoo. instead of posting constructive topics, we get this weird shit.
You are apparently ignorant of history. Much of compter science came from a model railroad club.
The MIT model railroad club, to be exact. See Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution for more details.
These are the folks who brought you emacs, time-sharing, and open source.
So don't be surprised at the occasional computer-controlled-model-railroad story on slashdot. That's what they were trying to do in the FIRST place.
It's nice to see that its finally working. B-)
Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
wont even get your ass laid
i dont know about you, but i don't like it when my ass engages in sexual activities...
YOU SUCK BALLS!
You don't know your hacker's lore. This article is about as on-topic as Slashdot gets.
MIT is famous for their train club, which goes way back
Tech Model Railroad Club of MIT
Note that Steve Russel's development of the first video game is tied in with his time at TMRC. Note also many geek terms originated here (As seen in a dictionary derived from one originally written in 1959 by Pete Samson)
The real world engineering problems in running trains are also a good education
"It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
Just thought I'd share...
Reading this story got me interested in what kinds of railroad simulators are available online. BVE is a cab-view simulator that has a decent collection of real-world trains and tracks for you to try out (sorry, it's windows only). If you've ever wanted to drive a train on the London Underground, here's your chance.