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Mobile Linux Project In Ammo Canister

Posted by simoniker on from the boot-boot-boom dept.

Chaosrider writes "Army Linux is a mobile development platform constructed from a 50-caliber ammunition canister. This site documents the development of an embedded Linux project, which features a backlit LCD screen, a VIA technologies Mini-ITX form factor motherboard and a 1U power supply. The site covers construction techniques, costs and hardware installation." The site also points to a similar PC-in-ammo-box project at Epiacenter.com.

15 of 219 comments (clear)

  1. US Government Rules Linux a WMD by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    After intense lobbying by Microsoft, the United States today recognized Linux as a weapon of mass destruction. The breaking point was apparently news that Linux now runs in an ammo canister. "We plan to wipe out Linux where ever it may be... and hopefully there's lots of it in Iraq!" said President George W. Bush.

  2. Lovely! by grub · · Score: 4, Funny


    Just the perfect thing to use on a certain company in Utah..

    --
    Trolling is a art,
  3. more links by klocwerk · · Score: 4, Informative

    also at mini-itx.com,
    ammobox pc
    another one
    aaaand yet another

    -your friendly mini-itx loving geek

    --

    "You worthless post!"
    -Shakespeare, 2 Gentlemen of Verona, 1. 1. 147
  4. ammo box by korgull · · Score: 5, Funny

    Seems not very portable to me if you need to catch a flight.
    I would love to see thos efaces at the check-in counter.

    1. Re:ammo box by JesseL · · Score: 4, Informative

      You can get 150 rounds of .50 BMG tracers sent to your house for $199 from right here, they're not any more restricted in most of the USA than any other ammo. I don't know why you would think they would be more of a problem to check on a plane than any other ammo. For info on firearms and ammo in checked baggage look here.

      --
      "Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!"
  5. Embedded. by mindstrm · · Score: 5, Informative

    The idea of an embedded system is one that seems to be badly distorted nowadays..
    .
    A small, but otherwise fully functional PC in a strange case is not an embedded system.

    The computer that handles your car's internals is an embedded.

    Your tivo is kind of an embedded system... not sure on that one.

    But a full on PC inside something weird certainly isn't.

    As it was once described to me.. an embedded system is a computer inside something that isn't a computer. A case doesn't count.

    Those little boards the size of a dimm slice with a processor, ram, i/o, and other stuff on them are good for embedded work.

    It's not about what version of linux runs, or what OS, or even what it does.. but a PC in a disguise is still a PC, not embedded.

    1. Re:Embedded. by Miniluv · · Score: 5, Informative
      DirecTivo is technically more of an embedded system than a standalone Tivo, in that the DirecTivo is technically a satellite receiver, that happens to also have some linux stuff bolted on to do PVR functionality. The Tivo is just a nifty case around a PPC processor and a harddrive which has a TV-IN card.

      A real embedded system is the controllers for, say, an automated automobile assembly station. The device builds cars, it just happens to have a brain composed partly of linux/qnx/tron/winCE/PalmOS to do the car building.

    2. Re:Embedded. by gl4ss · · Score: 4, Interesting

      there's one definition i like (don't know how accurate it is): if it is obvious that there is a computer inside it isn't embedded(that is, when you use the thing you know and think that you're working with a computer).

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  6. Holy Case Mods Batman by pope1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Thats a pretty interesting design, i love how computers are working thier way into stranger and smaller containers all the time.

    I really think there will be a market for Computers As Art someday. Like a woodcarving with a server in it, for some establishment that wants an ultra-fancy kiosk.

    Or maybe we'll see a return of the "Electronics in Victorian Style Furniture" that was popular in the 30's, 40's.

    --
    /* * pope1 */
  7. Once Again by stratjakt · · Score: 5, Interesting

    An article about shoving an epia board into something other than a PC case. I get it already, the boards are small.

    It goes without saying, of course, that this wouldn't be news if the installed OS was anything but lunix.

    They epia boards are relatively gutless, and frankly the "easy way" to make a small form factor PC. I want to see some FlexATX boards with honest-to-god processing power in these boxes.

    Myself, I'm working on fitting a flexATX board with a P3 800 (I cant remember the model now, I got it on eBay for 20 bucks on a whim) into a hacked PSX arcade stick. With built-in tv-out and mame it'll make a really funky portable arcade. Of course, I have big heat issues and others to solve, which makes it fun.

    I've built other boxes with great success using Shuttles spacewalker mainboards (I think the FV25 is the greatest thing since sliced bread for a small, cheap, but useful PC)

    I dunno, this just isnt all that interesting. You may as well just crazy glue a Zaurus inside the ammo box. It'll be faster.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  8. text by yerdaddy_777 · · Score: 5, Funny

    The site looks slow so here is the text:

    error in sql-statement: mysql_query, err-no: 1040
    qry: update nuke_counter set count=count+1 where (type='total' and var='hits') or (var='MSIE' and type='browser') or (var='Windows' and type='os')
    description: Too many connections

    error in sql-statement: mysql_query, err-no: 1040
    qry: select year from nuke_stats_year where year='2003'
    description: Too many connections

    Warning: mysql_num_rows(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /srv/www/web1/html/includes/sql_layer.php on line 249

    error in sql-statement: mysql_num_rows, err-no: 1040
    description: Too many connections

    error in sql-statement: mysql_query, err-no: 1040
    qry: insert into nuke_stats_year values('2003', '0')
    description: Too many connections

  9. Re:How many people by Voivod · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A) None, B) no.

    And sorry to break it to you, but people have been putting Linux in missiles, tanks, and all sorts of other deadly devices for years. I work for an embedded systems company and I do Linux developer support all the time for people in the defense industry. Once they figure out how to get some pseudo real-time behavior out of Linux, they are very comfortable with it.

  10. This is nothing. by Tristan+Tzara · · Score: 4, Funny

    Fit a Linux machine into a .50 caliber *cartridge* and we'll be talking.

  11. Dammit, I made one of these by NetDrain · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have a 30mm ammo box Linux machine sitting right next to me that I built in August of 2001 from sheer boredom. Apparently the editors didn't like my submission, oh well.

    Take a look yourself here. It's running Gentoo now instead of Redhat, and there have been some other subtle modifications in that time, but it's largely the same machine. And 30mm explosive rounds are a TON more manly than wimpy 50 caliber. hehehehe

    :D

  12. Re:Homer sez: Booorrring! by mrpuffypants · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Goddamnit!

    Here's the real link!