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Curious Blend of VPN, PDA and USB Drive

Posted by michael on from the if-you-build-it-they-will-come dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Realm Systems has developed a cellphone-sized mobile device that takes advantage of the hardware of a another PC by attaching via USB. It requires an Internet connection to connect to a backend system, but acts as a fully functional PC with dual PowerPC processors, a 20 GB drive and all your applications - if you can find someone who lets you connect to their PC. An interesting option especially for a price of $195 for the mobile device." So, for a $10,000 central server, a $1000 PC, and a $195 device, you can have the computing power of: a $1000 PC. It seems like there might be cheaper ways.

84 comments

  1. WiFi by Daxx_61 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Why not use Wi-Fi? Why bother with USB at all?

    --
    Quoth the server, "404."
    1. Re:WiFi by thea64man · · Score: 2, Informative

      Well I would guess that probably because if they used Wi-Fi #1 some computers don't have Wi-Fi(although many do) #2 most computers have USB #3 USB is cheaper (i think) I like the concept but the actual product could use refinement.

    2. Re:WiFi by dbIII · · Score: 1
      Why not use Wi-Fi?
      IR, as used on many mobiles would make more sense if you are going to be talking to a laptop. If you are going to be using desktop machines USB makes a lot more sense.
    3. Re:WiFi by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "Why not use Wi-Fi? Why bother with USB at all?"

      For the same reason that it's taking so long for ethernet to wipe out the floppy?

      --
      "Derp de derp."
  2. Too damn proprietory by Kris_J · · Score: 3, Interesting
    And it looks like it wants to more or less shut down the host PC. It's be more interesting if it was accessible via a terminal services, VNC or X window itself.

    Come to think of it, a couple of friends have a Sharp Zaurus and it's SSH-able when it's sitting in its cradle...

    1. Re:Too damn proprietory by Homology · · Score: 2, Informative
      And it looks like it wants to more or less shut down the host PC. It's be more interesting if it was accessible via a terminal services, VNC or X window itself.

      Come to think of it, a couple of friends have a Sharp Zaurus and it's SSH-able when it's sitting in its cradle...

      The developers of OpenBSD is porting OpenBSD to Sharp Zaurus

    2. Re:Too damn proprietory by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny
      attaches via an USB interface to any computer, takes over the Internet connection and creates a VPN connection via Terminal services to a proprietary backend system, the SOBA router. In this process, the MPS hibernates the host PC's operating system and takes over hardware components such as screen, graphics, keyboard and mouse.
      Sounds like demonic possession. Cue the creepy ring-tones!
      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  3. Wank words by hool5400 · · Score: 2, Funny

    "It is a paradigm shift,"

    Jesus H Christ. I'm getting sick of this pointy haired bullshit.

    --

    Remember, it takes 42 muscles to frown and only 4 to pull the trigger of a sniper rifle.
    1. Re:Wank words by AndroidCat · · Score: 1

      It's probably a paradigm rot rather than a shift. Maybe a PRRC instruction?

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    2. Re:Wank words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I realize you're posting to simply project your rage upon the rest of the choir, but it would be nice if you could curtail the blaspehmy. I know this forum is anti-religion, anti-bush, anti-corporations, anti-"anything that doesn't approach simple 10th grade thinking or communisim" but, really, do you have to??? At least you capitalized it...

    3. Re:Wank words by edittard · · Score: 0
      "It is a paradigm shift,"

      says Rick White, CEO of Realm Systems.

      Bullshit! say I, followed by "Remember the censorware project! and don't forget the other thing - you know - Davy Crocket, Santa Anna wotsitsname - that Texas thingy".

      --
      At the bottom of the /. main page it says 'Yesterday's News'. Well they got that right.
    4. Re:Wank words by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dear God, are you being serious?
      Christ almighty, that is laughable.

      Jeezus - if you can't handle this, than you might as well stay off all of the Internets, and go pray to Bush...

    5. Re:Wank words by Allen+Zadr · · Score: 1
      I hate to point this out, but, a sudden lack of "pointy haired bullshit" would require...

      a paradigm shift.

      --
      Kinetic stupidity has a new brand leader: Allen Zadr.
  4. Neat idea, but by wcitechnologies · · Score: 3, Insightful
    They need to find a way to lower the cost of production and the price they are selling it, or it will fail.

    It is a harsh truth, but I'd rather use VNC on my PocketPC than pay out the end for this kind of portability.

    --
    Electrons are free; it is moving them that becomes expensive.
    1. Re:Neat idea, but by Spy+Hunter · · Score: 4, Informative
      It's not for you, it's for large companies. Now that I understand what it is, I think it could actually be useful. The article didn't help much, but if you want to know what it really is:

      It is a USB hard drive + integrated computer running something like knoppix + fingerprint scanner, in a package not much larger than an iPod. You take it with you anywhere, then plug it into any computer you find. After scanning your fingerprint it automatically takes over that computer and brings up your suspended Linux desktop on the screen, just how you left it. It also sets up a VPN over the Internet to access your company's intranet so you can work just like you were in the office. When you're done you unplug it, which instantly suspends your session until you plug it in again.

      The central server is cool because it backs up all of the devices as they are being used, so if somebody loses theirs it's not a problem. You can just copy their backed-up image onto a new device and give it to them. You can also track usage and do security junk like that. I'm not a big fan of that feature, since it will probably lead to stupidly restrictive policies that are automatically enforced with an iron hand by the software. But that's a management problem, not a problem with the technology per se.

      --
      main(c,r){for(r=32;r;) printf(++c>31?c=!r--,"\n":c<r?" ":~c&r?" `":" #");}
    2. Re:Neat idea, but by Spy+Hunter · · Score: 2, Informative
      Oh, I forgot to list the disadvantages. The way I see it, hardware compatibility will probably be spotty. Not only does it need to detect and have drivers for all types of PC graphics cards, network/wireless cards, sound cards, modems, and mice; it has to use them all through this weird USB connection, plus it has to dynamically switch to a completely different set without rebooting when it is plugged into a different PC. Even if it works this process can't be very fast, not to mention the fact that it needs to re-setup the Internet connection (if it's not using DHCP you'll need to specify the correct network settings too, ouch) and don't forget that it needs to hibernate Windows too, which takes a while and doesn't always work correctly. I couldn't see the whole process taking less than a minute in a best-case scenario, which makes it a lot more annoying to, say, plug it in for a quick email check.

      Either that, or it doesn't really hibernate and take over the host computer like they say, but instead simply runs a proxy program on the host computer's OS to display stuff on the screen and get input from the keyboard/mouse. This would be fast, convenient, and highly compatible (and I suspect for these reasons that this is how it really works); however, it would be completely vulnerable to keyloggers or other malicious software running on the host machine, defeating the whole security aspect of the device.

      --
      main(c,r){for(r=32;r;) printf(++c>31?c=!r--,"\n":c<r?" ":~c&r?" `":" #");}
    3. Re:Neat idea, but by Cylix · · Score: 1

      Incidently,

      I did some consulting for a company building something quite like this. At least, this is essentially what I drew up in development. Everything was just application hosting via PDA.

      It is or at least was the next big suite thing. They don't want to carry around a laptop anymore... or maybe is was just technological jewelry.

      In any event, I don't know their implementation, but it shouldn't be uncommon at this point.

      --
      "You should always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't come to yours." -- Yogi Berra
    4. Re:Neat idea, but by swv3752 · · Score: 1

      Of course this is completely secure from malicious software on the host machine.

      --
      Just a Tuna in the Sea of Life
    5. Re:Neat idea, but by dnoyeb · · Score: 1

      there could only be ONE thing this box could do. It must provide security without giving the laptop access to your key. Otherwise I could do what I am doing now.

      Have my ssh key putty and VNC on a flash drive.

    6. Re:Neat idea, but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, mod +4 parent Informative - right.

      Except: it isn't running anything like knoppix+fingerprint scanner. It is running Embedded XP and uses Microsoft terminal services to attach to a remote computer.

    7. Re:Neat idea, but by Spy+Hunter · · Score: 1
      Where did you get that information? It isn't in the article, which says instead "running a Linux-based operating system as well as all applications". It isn't on Realm Systems' website, which contains practically no useful information at all (in the grand tradition of corporatespeak "paradigm shift" websites). Furthermore, since when does Embedded XP run on dual PowerPCs? And if all it does is connect using Terminal Services, there's no point in having dual PowerPCs, 64 MB RAM, and a 20 GB hard drive onboard. You can do that with a a regular USB key.

      If you want to be believed, post as a real user instead of Anonymous Coward, and cite your sources.

      --
      main(c,r){for(r=32;r;) printf(++c>31?c=!r--,"\n":c<r?" ":~c&r?" `":" #");}
  5. This is the first by ZSpade · · Score: 5, Interesting

    and last time we'll ever see this piece of technology. Guy 1: Yeah, let me give you my business address. Guy 2: Hold on I'll put it on my MPS... Guy 2: Uhh, You wouldn't happen to have a computer on you, would you?

    --
    Go ahead and call me unreliable; reliable is just a synonym for predictable.
    1. Re:This is the first by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      until they put a screen and mini keyboard on it and you can use it in 'PDA' mode ...

    2. Re:This is the first by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Also the first time I've seen someone try to astroturf a product on /. and win mockery from an editor.

    3. Re:This is the first by AndroidCat · · Score: 1

      No problem! Just connect it to my Leapfrog talking pen, pull out this piece of special expensive paper, and .. I'll write it down ..

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  6. Overkill by lachlan76 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How exactly does this do the job better than a Knoppix CD and VNC/X over SSH/rdesktop?

    1. Re:Overkill by isometrick · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'm still trying to figure out HOW it "takes over the machine", but it says that it maintains state on the host machine as well as itself. Hmmm...

    2. Re:Overkill by lachlan76 · · Score: 3, Informative

      My guess would be that it puts it into hibernation and then boots from USB.

    3. Re:Overkill by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      from the article it sounds more like it installs some kind of Terminal software on the host PC.

    4. Re:Overkill by lachlan76 · · Score: 1

      It said it connected to a terminal server, not that it installed software onto the PC.

      It also said that it doesn't depend on the host OS, which would preclude software installation of any kind.

    5. Re:Overkill by smchris · · Score: 1

      I suppose the added value of this thing is that it is one piece instead of two and nobody has to set up the persistent config and home directories? Yeah, yeah. That's sure hard -- but people do pay for the smallest conveniences.

    6. Re:Overkill by lachlan76 · · Score: 1

      This is targetted at enterprise environments, and they would just remaster the disc and put whatever settings they want.

    7. Re:Overkill by Necr0maN · · Score: 1

      But the suit people don't like carrying around cd's they like things that are hot and cool and totally useless and expensive.

    8. Re:Overkill by BobPaul · · Score: 1

      How exactly does this do the job better than a Knoppix CD and VNC/X over SSH/rdesktop?

      It's not slow and unresponsive preventing you from working?

      I'm not knocking Knoppix or VNC specifically, but my experience with Terminal Services has always shown them to be nothing at all like using an actual computer and everything but the LAN environment. If the host you connect to is on the same LAN as you, great, it's just like your sitting there.

      However, if you're using just about anything connected over the internet screen refresh time is going to kill your productivity and require you wait between mouse clicks. I'd rather carry my nice, responsive computer with me, even if it means I must BYODKM using this, albeit, strange method. Hell, I could plug into an old USB enabled Pentium Pro and it wouldn't be any different than plugging into a 3.6Ghz Pentium 4.

    9. Re:Overkill by BobPaul · · Score: 1

      It also said that it doesn't depend on the host OS, which would preclude software installation of any kind.

      Or that it includes cross platform versions of the client software. Perhaps a java VNC client that runs when you plug in the device making your MPS screen pop up on the host monitor?

      This wouldn't require the host computer to reboot or the MPS to have driver support for the hardware on the host machine.

    10. Re:Overkill by Predius · · Score: 1

      Funny, I use RDP over a 768/128kbps DSL link and it's quite responsive. Only things that really giveit a problem, sound or heavy flash animations. On a 12mbps USB link, that shouldn't be an issue.

    11. Re:Overkill by Cramer · · Score: 1

      I've never seen a PC capable of doing this. The BIOS knows it's been hibernated and resumes immediately. So, without knowing how to clear the BIOS's flag (good luck getting this from BIOS vendors), this is not likely. Additionally, some machines cannot boot from USB. And "any computer" includes things that aren't x86 PC's.

      However, it's a good theory.

    12. Re:Overkill by lachlan76 · · Score: 1

      The BIOS knows it's been hibernated and resumes immediately

      Not on mine. On mine (when I had windows) if I put it into hibernation, it just saved all its memory onto disk, and then at next boot it just reloaded it.

    13. Re:Overkill by lachlan76 · · Score: 1

      Umm...i thought terminal services is RDP?

  7. For a $10,000 server... by djsmiley · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "MPS devices will be available from $195. While we could imagine Realms technology to also be attractive for home users, the necessary SOBA router may be out of reach for most households: Pricing ranges from $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the amount of users."

    its not even a server, its an over the top router!

    --
    - http://www.milkme.co.uk
    1. Re:For a $10,000 server... by Necr0maN · · Score: 1

      It's basically a VPN endpoint that accepts connections from MPS devices running around and connects it to the owner's workstation via remote desktop or some custom software.

    2. Re:For a $10,000 server... by djsmiley · · Score: 1

      sad thing is companys will buy this, because is has a name and isn't made by some random coders they have never heard of.

      --
      - http://www.milkme.co.uk
  8. a better idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    how about a knoppix install on a USB external harddrive, that can be plugged in to any PC, that gives the user their own OS & /home directory with their saved settings and a place to store and share documents and any other data...

    doesn't someone else sell a similar device with mandrake pre-installed on a USB harddrive???

    and how big is a USB harddrive? (about the size of a dagwood sandwich?)

    1. Re:a better idea by Necr0maN · · Score: 1

      Because not every computer wants to boot from USB, sometimes it just can't and most of the time it isn't enabled in the bios. And fondling with bios settings is not something you want suits to do.

  9. Curious Blend of VPN, PDA and USB Drive... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    dredged up by the tsunami. Fascinating stuff! It's in Russian, but it's all about the pictures!

    (sorry, but I can't get over michael's last story yet)

  10. I think by nahdude812 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I think that this is probably targeted at roaming corporate users. I split my time up between three corporate offices, a day here, a day there. Since I only have a cubicle in one of the three, I'm always having to use someone else's computer who's out for the day (it's a big company, there's always someone out). Each of the other guys in my group are in the same scenario.

    Our roaming profiles give us access to our documents when signed on to someone else's computer, but they don't give us access to our developer tools. We've thought about external USB / Firewire drives, but not all of the tools we use can work running right off a detachible device.

    This sounds like it might offer a better solution.

    --
    Slay a dragon... over lunch!
    1. Re:I think by colinrichardday · · Score: 1

      Why don't your roaming profiles give you access to your development tools?

    2. Re:I think by lachlan76 · · Score: 1

      This is just an expensive thin-client system.

      You could make up the same thing with a terminal server, or just a linux box with a RAID array and a shitload of RAM over ssh.

    3. Re:I think by SwissCheese · · Score: 1

      Because a roaming profile only set's up your profile, it won't install apps that aren't already on the pc. Profile = shortcuts, drive mappings, application configs, etc.

    4. Re:I think by Saanvik · · Score: 1

      I think this is exactly the use case they are looking at.

      However, I'm not sure I see the advantage over smart cards. Sun, supposedly, has it set up so that no one has an assigned office. You sit down where you want to, swipe your card, and your computer is set up the way it was the day before.

      I suppose, because it's got dual Power PC processors, some of the work gets done locally, but I think that's true with Sun's system as well. Maybe it's just a reflection of the fact that most PCs don't have a smart card reader.

      Personally, I'd love if smart cards caught on all over. It'd make traveling, or any situation where you need to share a single physical computer, much nicer for everyone. It'd also make it really nice for parents, because they could set all kinds of access controls on the system.

    5. Re:I think by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pardon my ignorance, by why not just use a laptop?

    6. Re:I think by Cramer · · Score: 1
      • ...
      • drive mappings...
      And you're not a system administrator either, are you? The applications don't have to be installed on the local PC; they need only be accessible from the PC. Now, there are some bad applications that need registry entries and/or local configuration(s) on the host machine (eg. Exceed), but that's workable from a logon script. I've been places where I could logon any machine in the network and go to work -- both with Windows (TM) PC's and UNIX (tm) systems. (It's easier with UNIX (tm), but still doable with Windows (tm).)
  11. Still doesn't beat Zaurus by zoum · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I don't think such device is decent enough compared to Sharp Zaurus Cxx model.

    Zaurus can be also connected to any PC via USB or WiFi connection...and you can control Zaurus via ssh or vnc, etc...Moreover, Zaurus itself functions as a mobile computing device with superb display in terms of size and resolution, and many other great features...

  12. gah! by torpor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    its awful, really .. to think that this whole thing is rendered useless by a USB-fob and a freebie operating system 'from those commies' ..

    but, what bothers me most about this is that we are *forever and perpetually* trying to build better client/server computing systems. we want power, but we don't want to be near the computer ..

    over and over, the same ol' problem. why don't we just make better, smaller, nicer, more comfy computers, and give up this whole 'beigebox' mentality?

    --
    ; -- the corruption of government starts with its secrets. a truly free people keep no secrets. --
  13. Similar to the Intel Personal Server by Jacco+de+Leeuw · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I see some resemblance with the Intel Personal Server.

    Don't know about the security. There is no keyboard on the thing so a (hardware) keylogger on the host PC would be disastrous.

    --
    -------
    Warning: Slashdot may contain traces of nuts.
  14. Master Machine? by Poromenos1 · · Score: 0

    The MPS in fact is the main PC and does not require another "master machine" I don't understand this. If it connects via USB, you DO need a "master machine"...

    --
    Send email from the afterlife! Write your e-will at Dead Man's Switch.
    1. Re:Master Machine? by BobPaul · · Score: 1

      the master machine is the display, keyboard, and mouse only. All processing is done on the dual 400mhz PPC processors on the MPS. Display is sent over the USB to the host machine where it's probably displayed by a VNC client of sorts.

      I'd expect a VNC client to be used rather than something proprietary since the MPS itself runs linux and VNC is already cross platform, allowing anything to be the host machine.

  15. Exactly: Damn Small Linux does the job by kt0157 · · Score: 2, Informative
    I have a flask disk with Damn Small Linux and QEMU. Plug into a PC, run the emulator and away you go. And it's free.

    Next step: a 1Gb flash disk with Knoppix.

    Step after that: teeny tiny 40Gb Freecom FHD XS with any damn Linux distribution you want.

    1. Re:Exactly: Damn Small Linux does the job by Hognoxious · · Score: 1
      I have a flask disk...
      What can you store - 512K of data and 4oz of brandy?
      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    2. Re:Exactly: Damn Small Linux does the job by duck+'o+death · · Score: 1

      Yes. Yes, you can.

      --
      Don't put salt in your eyes.
  16. Too tired.. by Renegrade · · Score: 1

    Red alert, shields up! Close the USB ports!

    I read the article title as, "attacking via USB".. Once if by LAN, twice if by USB?

  17. Gotta love... by JustNiz · · Score: 1

    all those ads (like this one that say) "connects to any computer" and then goes on to talk about microsoft-specific technology.

    Ahh yes.. I'll buy one for my Linux box and my commodore 64 then.

  18. Has its place by iamacat · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I don't think your USB virtual privacy machine 1. comes with 20GB of storage, 2. Runs apps as fast as dual PPC, 3. prevents malware on the host from just formatting its hard drive, 4. can be pulled out for instant suspend or 5. comes with a commercially supported server for VPN, backup and centralized administration.

    This is actually perfect for universities. Work from home or any lab, don't worry about hacked or infected public PCs (passwords can be entered with on-screen keyboard), for(;;) fork(); will not kill some central public server.

    The only curious thing is the choice of non-Intel CPU. I wonder what kind applications they run on this thing - Mozilla and OpenOffice? I know what I would run when I have to use other people's computers.

  19. Looks as real as a Phantom Gaming Console by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Vapor-ware

    A quick look at Archive.org (http://www.archive.org) reveals a placeholder page last year. Considering that the site is devoid of any serious specifications, screenshots, etc, it really feels like Visio-enabled technology at the moment.

    I think they got their 8.5 million of VC money and now just marketing their "idea". AtomicPR clearly did a nice job of "getting the word out".

    Incidentally, the 9350 South 150 East, Sandy, UT address is a business incubatior space.

    1. Re:Looks as real as a Phantom Gaming Console by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Visio-enabled technology. Now, THAT is funny...

  20. What does this offer by CastrTroy · · Score: 2, Informative

    What does this offer over using a Linux live CD and a usb hard drive. If you just had computers that would boot off the usb hard drive, you wouldn't even need the Linux Live CD. Why does it need processors if it has to take over another PC to use it?

    --

    Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  21. Re:Too damn proprietory? by BobPaul · · Score: 2, Insightful

    And it looks like it wants to more or less shut down the host PC. It's be more interesting if it was accessible via a terminal services, VNC or X window itself.

    I think it does use a terminal services client... most likely VNC. Look at the quote from the article below:

    By using a Terminal Server, an application that is available ob virtually any platform, Realm's technology does not depend on the operating system of the host system, but rather takes over the components it needs for data entry.

    Earlier in the article they said something like "Plug it into the USB port and it hibernates the host PC" or something similar. I have a strong feeling that was simply colorful language and does not literaly mean it sends the other PC into hibernate mode. If it did that it would have to:
    1) Boot the host off an image stored on the MPS that allows the host PC to be used as a hardware interface.
    2) Hope the host graphics and network systems are supported by this image.
    3) Hope the host was using DHCP, cause you don't know their network settings anymore.

    Where as if the Host PC was left running in Windows, Linux, or MacOS (as the article seems to suggest) plugging in the MPS would:
    1) Pop up a new drive on the system, such as plugging in a USB Keychain drive would.
    2) Autoload the appropriate VNC client for the host OS auto configured to log into the MPS.
    3) Autoload software appropriate for the OS to gain bridged network access using the existing configured network settings.

    I think it's far more probable that that the host PC is continusouly running, but there's a Terminal Services Client of sorts running always on top so you simply don't see the client OS. All you see is your MPS.

  22. that's right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    yes michael, in the mission-critical business world we don't have a problem with spending $10,000 on a server if it reliably provides greater than $10,000 worth of value over time to us. We don't tend to cobble together free software systems with bubble-gum and bailing wire that might work if you hold your mouth just right, that tends to make Sr. VPs and CTOs nervous.

    1. Re:that's right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So you guys don't use any Microsoft product?

  23. PowerPC? by GFLPraxis · · Score: 1

    PowerPC? Can it run Mac OS X?

    1. Re:PowerPC? by notthe9 · · Score: 1

      Had to retype "slashdot" in the URL bar to make sure that nothing was wrong, seeing as that did not read "Can it run linux?"

      That being said, I would be suprized if it could, because OSX has very limited compatibility (seeing as there are only a few dozen Apple products it's supposed to run on.)

  24. Why hasn't this been modded up? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Interest points. Everyone seems to be making the assumption that the press release means the product exists.

  25. Huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't get this parasite. Why not just unplug the keyboard, mouse, and monitor from the master and plug them into your laptop? By carrying around a laptop instead of this you don't look like a dumbass walking around trying to find a PC to lobotomize just to get a monitor to read your email.

  26. A deck of cards by tgrigsby · · Score: 1

    So, for a $10,000 central server, a $1000 PC, and a $195 device, you can have the computing power of: a $1000 PC.

    True story: While working at DHL Systems in Burlingame (is it still there? dunno) I walked into the office of my boss, John. He had a stack of high performance Sun modules on his desk all wired together running a Windows emulation.

    I asked him how much the whole setup cost and he said, "Oh, about $50,000." (this was around 1994). I looked over his shoulder and saw he was playing Solitaire.

    I said, "So let me get this straight: you've got a $50,000 computer pretending it's a $2000 PC pretending it's a 50 cent deck of cards."

    He thought about that for a moment, laughed, and said, "Yeah, that sounds about right."

    "Well done!"

    --
    *** *** You're just jealous 'cause the voices talk to me... ***
  27. Citrix anyone by Cramer · · Score: 1

    I'd be interested in getting ahold of one of these $195 MPS systems just to take it apart.

    However, as a system on the whole, how is this any different from the long standing (we're talking *decades* here) practice of terminal servers? Citrix has been doing this for many, many years... Citrix WinFrame, Citrix MetaFrame. Cheap ICA terminals ("winterms") have been around for years, for more than just Windows (tm). And the wire protocol is encrypted. The only difference is how many cables one needs to move/plug in.

    I smell marketing bullshit. If all your files, applications, and processing are in the MPS, why does there need to be this $10k to $40k SOBA server? I bet the SOBA is the dual PPC machine (where everything happens) and the MPS is just a USB flash drive (or two) with a tiny linux image to run on the "host computer" (read: USB bootable x86 PC with linux supported hardware.) ThinkNIC did this sorta thing with a mediaGX PC -- the CD it booted from will boot in most PCs, 'tho you'll be missing most of the hardware it's expecting.

  28. Much simpler solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    See linuxstick.com

  29. What's The Point? by klausner · · Score: 1
    What benefit is there in taking over the local PC vs. just borrowing its KB, mouse, NW and screen? What does this added complexity bring to the table?

  30. Much more than a Thin Client by billstewart · · Score: 1
    It's using the host PC as a thin client, and running the storage and CPU on the portable box, using the USB instead of an Ethernet.

    I haven't figured out what actual functions the central server provides - probably a VPN tunnel server and some authentication, and maybe also file serving for people who need more than the remote device provides, but to me it looks basically like a license server to extract cash from the customer in return for cheap remote boxes.

    --

    Bill Stewart
    New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
  31. Mac Mini ? Or VNC / X server back home by billstewart · · Score: 1
    If you're able to run in a Macintosh environment, carry around a Mac Mini and just plug into their monitor, keyboard, mouse, and LAN connection, rather than rebooting their computer.

    Or run some kind of terminal server environment on your main development machine, and then run X windows or a VNC client on the roaming platform.

    --

    Bill Stewart
    New Fast-Compression-only CPR http://preview.tinyurl.com/dy575ks
  32. Musings On How It Works by FrankDrebin · · Score: 1

    The company's solutions page is pretty devoid of detail. Especially since the link to their whitepaper is broken. If anyone knows a few details of how the MPS works, it would be interesting.

    They claim platform independence. This seems pretty doubtful. Assume this was a boot-only solution, ie. no hot plugging into a running computer. Also assume its x86 only. Then only modern PCs could be used (older PCs cannot boot from USB). Apple machines could not be booted with the same boot image as an x86 so that rules them out, unless they can figure a way to detect the host CPU and supply a different image. Even so, there are other platforms out there with USB that would surely be missed. Beyond that, you basically need something as sophisticated as a Linux live distribution to handle the vast myriad of hardware you might encounter. And let's not forget that USB booting must be enabled in the BIOS and set to a higher priority than the normal boot media for the 'borrowed' PC.

    If we assume that the MPS (also) supports hot plugging into a live computer, the OS now needs to be contended with. You need a reliable, easy way to have the 'borrowed' PC download and run the software from the MPS allowing it to take over the keyboard, video, mouse, and internet. Again this becomes an OS/CPU coverage issue not to mention a permissions thing.

    Frankly, I just don't see how the claim of 'platform independence' can be substantiated, nor how this thing could be considered easy to use. No matter what computer you plug into, you're likely going to have to fool around with the BIOS or the the OS permissions.

    Could someone with some detailed knowledge of this product please enlighten us?

    --
    Anybody want a peanut?
  33. Better colours by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://shit.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/01/15/0 330233

  34. Decent Concept by penteren · · Score: 1

    I worked for a large corporation in the remote access department. I can definitely see how the basic concept of this device would be attractive to corporations with large numbers of traveling users. Our company was constantly seeking ways to eliminate laptops (support costs for laptops are astronomical) and ways to make connecting back to the office easier. Since this device eliminates the laptop and automates the process of connecting to the home office, the $10,000 server cost would be viewed as peanuts, as long as the system works properly.