Congrats on converting to something manageable and decent to work with.
Sun offers various software suport contracts, and there's a good chance some of them will support the OSS you plan to run, especially minor utilities like OpenSSH and VNC.
Covalent offers support contracts for Apache.
Support contracts can be nice, both for passing the buck on intractable problems and for resolving those issues that never come up except when the local expert's unavailable.
The kernel modules sytem was revamped, and is much nicer. But loading modules is now so easy to do, it would've been more hassle to emulate the old interface than to write new utilities.
The new module-init-tools are under: ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/peop le/rusty/modules/
If you're running an RPM-based distro, you can get the latest modutils.src.rpm from there and use rpm --rebuild to recompile it. Bonus: it still has the old modutils, so you can dual-boot.
If you're running Debian Sid, you can apt-get install module-init-tools.
Yes well I'm sure I could write a browser that really kicks ass, if, like NS3 it ignores all stylesheets, screws up tables and frames and only parses a handful of tags.
Don't bother, someone else already has. It's a GTK-based browser called Dillo.
And it does kick ass.
First, search Dogpile for "C3450A" and for "4100DX". The first gets you almost nothing. The second mostly gets you info on the Zenith Z-Station 4100DX/2, so you try throwing an "HP" in with it.
With creative interpretation of the couple of UseNet postings in German and Dutch, I found out that:
The Ethernet controller is an AMD Lance.
It has an IPX or NetBIOS boot rom. You might want to download EtherBoot or some such and befriend someone with an EPROM burner, however...
Someone already tried that and can't get the network card to see the network.
One webpage has an awesome bunch of info, though. It's called the HP Windows Client, it can take a 2.5" HDD, it can do BootP and it has a 1MB CL5430 display controller.
The Seattle Weekly recently published an article about Seal Press' battle with Mattel.
Seal published a women's-studies anthology called Goodbye Barbie that featured several Mattel-trademarked items on the cover. Including Barbie's own, special shade of pink.
Yes, Mattel owns a color. Does the sun pay trademark duties? Was there no prior art?
This case was also settled out-of-court, with Seal Press agreeing to change the title and cover art.
Don't fsck with Barbie, man.
P.S.-- the Weekly cover featured a drawing of Barbie clubbing a harp seal. Wonder if they'll be receiving a li'l note from Mattel?
Folks, when I posted this, I only had the Streambox press release. After reading the RealNetworks release and some further comments from Alex (Streambox programmer), here's the rough truth:
Streambox has 3 products: Ripper, which converts RA to MP3 or WAV, VCR, which records PNM, RTSP and WMA streams, and Ferret, which supplements or replaces the Snap! search box in RealPlayer.
The Injunction against Ripper has been lifted. This is a Good Thing 'cos it was a test of how much control Real has over the format of streams under the DMCA.
The injunction against working on Ferret and VCR has been lifted. Since VCR's beta, an injunction against sales is immaterial.
The next step is to find out exactly where VCR crosses the line, legally. Alex sez that the big question is currently over whether VCR should have to honor the copy-protect bit in Real streams. After all, a tape deck or TotalRecorder doesn't. Meanwhile, StreamBox is working on versions of VCR with RealMedia support disabled and with copy-protect enabled.
Watch this case! This is a significant test of the DMCA's reverse-engineering provisions.
So, anyone wanna work on an open-source RTSP downloader? There's sample code...
I'm a longtime user of StreamBox/2Bsys products, and a beta tester for the newest version of StreamVCR.
StreamBox VCR, formerly called X-FileGet, downloads Real content using the proprietary PNM and PNM/G2 protocols, as well as the publicly-available RTSP and Windows Media protocols. It uses no Real code. StreamBox is not the only company to do this. Windows Media Player handles RealAudio streams and files, and Oracle is apparently reverse-engineering Real protocols and formats so they can take advantage of Real's installed base for THEIR media server.
StreamBox Ripper, formerly RA2Wav, uses Real DLLs to read RealAudio files, just like a couple WinAmp plugins and (I believe) Windows Media Player. It allows you to write the output to WAV, WMA or MP3, just as if you were using TotalRecorder or Virtual Audio Cable with RealPlayer.
It's not clear what legal ground Real has to stand on. The legality of "space-shifting" and "time-shifting" licensed content has been defended in court and AFAIK, the programmer didn't disassemble any Real code.
However, it looks like Real is approaching this as a format-control issue, arguing that somehow, software that converts their format to another is illegal. It looks like a questionable lawsuit against a company that can't afford lawyers, meant to set a precedent before Real goes up against Microsoft or Oracle.
Seattle court issues temporary restraining order against Streambox To prevent sale and distribution of streaming technology products
SEATTLE - Streambox, Inc. (http://www.streambox.com), a leading provider of proprietary streaming technologies for searching, acquiring, playing and managing audio and video files on and from the Internet, must temporarily halt the development, production and sale of various company products, pending a full hearing January 7, due to a temporary restraining order issued here today, the company has announced.
The restraining order was issued by the U.S. District Court in response to an action filed by RealNetworks (RNWK), which alleged that three products - Streambox Ripper, Streambox VCR and Streambox Ferret - have caused irreparable harm to RealNetworks.
"Their main complaint is that our Streambox Ripper product allows content owners to control file format, not RealNetworks. . But we believe that the larger picture of Real's whole tactic is about preventing migration of digital media files from RealMedia to other platforms, such as Microsoft's Windows Media," said Robert Hildeman, chief executive officer of Streambox. "We think that's unfair to both consumers and content providers." In view of the serious impact of the restraining order with respect to Streambox's business, the court also ordered that Real Networks post a $1 million dollar bond to cover any loss to Streambox if the Court later finds that the restraining order was wrongfully issued.
RealNetworks also alleged in the action that Streambox had violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and copyright infringement.
"I don't understand why they are alleging this when our products and technologies truly benefit the content providers and consumers," Hildeman said.
Hildeman said Streambox plans to release a version of its Streambox Ripper product that does not convert RealNetworks' media format. Streambox Ripper is a powerful utility that converts CD and other audio files to the popular MP3 format, allowing MP3 users to listen to millions of previously unavailable audio files, from music to audiobooks, talk radio, interviews and much more.
With the recent explosion of digital music on the Internet, and with the proliferation of popular portable MP3 players like RCA's Lyra, Diamond's Rio, Creative's Nomad and others, Streambox Ripper stands to play a pivotal role in providing much more audio content than ever before imagined, Hildeman said.
About Streambox:
Streambox is the world leader in the searching, indexing and categorizing of streaming media content on the Internet. The company offers full services in Internet streaming technologies that deliver end-to-end solutions for the searching, playing, acquiring, converting and transporting of streaming audio and video files.
Founded in 1999, Streambox provides Internet users with a powerful media portal, search engine and guide. The company extends its powerful technologies to a family of innovative audio and video software for PCs and other devices.
The combined technologies enable the company's customers to enjoy the fastest-growing segment of the Internet - streaming entertainment and information.
Contacts: Bob Hildeman, Streambox 425-702-9348 bob@streambox.com
Bob Silver, The Silver Company 206-624-0388 bob@thesilvercompany.com
That said, I might note that DAT drives get tweeky after a while because of their mechanical complexity. (Think VCR, but tiny.) 4mm tapes are cheap, used drives can be a bargain, but don't bet the farm on one. Don't even use it until you get a cleaning tape! (I got mine at the University Bookstore in Seattle.)
QIC/Travan drives are way cheap, moderately reliable, Linux-supported but even the IDE ones are quite slow.
Up here in rainy Seattle, the geeks ride motorcycles. Easy parking, you can use the diamond-lane, and gals think you're something other than a pasty-skinned misfit.
Anything old and Japanese turns my crank, but I'm starting to think Moto-Guzzi. Ducatis and their clones are what I dream of, but I like my license, my savings and shaft-drive.
Most biker geeks I know ride Harleys or other V-twin cruisers.
As a side note, the bike of zealots seems to be BMW. When the weather gets cold and wet, the BMWs keep riding while the cruiser cream-puffs and sportbike dilletantes get back in their cages. For rice-queens like me, it depends on whether the bike with good brakes is running.
My encounter with another Pinkwater fan
on
5 Novels
·
· Score: 1
I was at the Alternative Press Expo a few years ago when I chatted up a cute gal at the Bunnyhop table. We talked books and I mentioned that I grew up on D.P.
At that, she made loud excited noises, jumped over the table and we did a little jig together.
Trufus factus.
I didn't get her phone number. I shall regret that for the rest of my days.
...formerly known as RA2Wav. There is a trial beta here.
Only problem is, it's Win32. Good thing is, RealPlayer G2 for Win32 runs on the latest CVS of WinE, so there's a good chance StreamRipper and its companion, PNM downloader X-FileGet, will run.
Keep an eye on these guys. The upcoming version of StreamRipper does RA to MP3, CD-ripping and other nifty things, and the upcoming version of StreamVCR handles G2 servers, RTSP and some MMS streams.
Had some fun looking at the HTML source for the Angels B-ball feed page. It's MPEG1 served from an HTTP server. They just make it nifty by including a plugin (ActiveX?) to play it, and obscure it a little by giving the MPEG file a DMV extension.
File specs from my Windows box: Picture Size: 336 x 208 (NTSC) Bit rate: 884000 bits/sec (!) Frame rate: 29.97 frames/sec
Has anyone thought about making <Object... parser plugins for browsers on OSes that don't like to automatically receive binaries from websites in order to use 'em? A simple mapping of object ID to local program and parameters to commandline would about suffice.
Well, I'll bet you'll need a good FF video card. There are a number of companies who refit standard video cards to work with a variey of monitors. Mods include anything from changing the BIOS to rewiring the output circuitry to merely setting NVRAM settings in the card.
An alternate method is to go dual-head with a cheal li'l 14" monitor on the primary and a G200 driving the 19".
A search on Yahoo! for fixed-freq turned up a number of resources, including FAQs, lists of suppliers, monitor info and a circuit diagram or two.
NT 3.51 and NT 4 were ported to PPC and MIPS. Support for those platforms was dropped after NT4 SP1. It was hard enough to get folks to ship on Alpha without getting 'em to ship on two more platforms. Micros~1 currently has piles of old PReP/PPC and ARC/MIPS boxen lying around. I'm trying to find out if they can be obtained cheaply.
Windows CE currently supports PPC. It's starting to look more and more like "Windows 9x done right" so I wouldn't be surprised if it were repositioned as a desktop OS, possibly even running on CHRP boxes.
Everex has pledged to provide HW info to help port Linux to their WinCE tablets. (Can't find the link, tho) Also, IIRC there's a low-end B&W model going for $100 at one of the big computer chain-stores.
At this point, it's up to the 50 states to individually ratify the UCITA into state law. So write your state legislator. Snail-mail counts most, short letters with useful arguments are easier for staffers to handle. Basically, (I think) you want to have 'em amend or strike UCC Article 2B. The remote-deactivation provisions will be the most odious and easiest to fight. You can even cite the fact that it will be bad for the commercial software indistry 'cos it'll pressure s/w-dependent businesses to switch to free and homegrown s/w just so they don't have to fear pissing off their s/w vendor.
I remember my mom teaching me to "buffer" ~15 yrs ago. She was from Los Angeles and San Diego and was used to looong freeway commutes. Apparently, this was what folks learned to do, hence the infamous "bumper-to-bumper at 65 MPH" style often associated w/ L.A.
I now live in Seattle and do the same thing. It keeps me occupied, reduces wear-and-tear on my brakes, clutch and engine, and folks behind me sometimes pick up on the idea.
Stop-and-go SUCKS on a motorcycle. More power to anyone trying to reduce it.
Another idea: digital cameras are getting VERY cheap. I've been seeing them for under $90 for no flash/low-mem versions. There's an Agfa model that sells for $120. Hook it up to a power supply and serial and use one of the camera control packages to run it. Excellent image quality, on-camera compression to save CPU, and when the workers get too creeped out, you can decomission 'em (the cameras) and let the kids play with digital photography.
Sure. It's all in Video4Linux or V4L2. The heroic Alan Cox has been hacking on drivers for the open-source LML33 and similar Iomega Buz MJPEG compression cards. This'd allow you to record compressed video to HDD.
MPEG2 has some licensing problems, and the owners are leery about open-source versions of their security measures, but work is progressing.
I don't know about that double-headed HDD one fellow hinted at, but good caching, a quiet HDD and a well-designed custom filesystem may make that unneccessary.
Quantum has a new technology caled QuickView that might be that double-head dealie. Should be fun to write drivers for.
It'll work if you're more patient than Job. An eraser don't set you back too much. With a timer, it'll be worth every penny. Keep in mind that you can "cook" an EPROM if you expose it too much.
Dolby Digital, DiscMan and DAT all use SPDIF for digital I/O. More and more soundcards support SPDIF, but beware: some only sample and output at one speed (SBLive=48K). If you're going for analog I/O, spend money; some cards cost more for a reason.
SPDIF runs over fiber or copper, converters are available. The SBLive! forums seem to have good discussion of SPDIF issues. There are also cheap SPDIF-only cards available. Some are supported under Linux, I believe.
'twould be nifty to have a thinclient with speakers in each room, feeding off a MP3/netradio server. Of course, decompression lag would lead to echoey audio between rooms. Better to just use USB speakers.
Slashdot Mirror
Congrats on converting to something manageable and decent to work with.
Sun offers various software suport contracts, and there's a good chance some of them will support the OSS you plan to run, especially minor utilities like OpenSSH and VNC.
Covalent offers support contracts for Apache.
Support contracts can be nice, both for passing the buck on intractable problems and for resolving those issues that never come up except when the local expert's unavailable.
The kernel modules sytem was revamped, and is much nicer. But loading modules is now so easy to do, it would've been more hassle to emulate the old interface than to write new utilities.
p le/rusty /modules/
The new module-init-tools are under:
ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/peo
If you're running an RPM-based distro, you can get the latest modutils.src.rpm from there and use rpm --rebuild to recompile it. Bonus: it still has the old modutils, so you can dual-boot.
If you're running Debian Sid, you can apt-get install module-init-tools.
Yes well I'm sure I could write a browser that really kicks ass, if, like NS3 it ignores all stylesheets, screws up tables and frames and only parses a handful of tags.
Don't bother, someone else already has. It's a GTK-based browser called Dillo.
And it does kick ass.
First, search Dogpile for "C3450A" and for "4100DX". The first gets you almost nothing. The second mostly gets you info on the Zenith Z-Station 4100DX/2, so you try throwing an "HP" in with it.
With creative interpretation of the couple of UseNet postings in German and Dutch, I found out that:
The Ethernet controller is an AMD Lance.
It has an IPX or NetBIOS boot rom. You might want to download EtherBoot or some such and befriend someone with an EPROM burner, however...
Someone already tried that and can't get the network card to see the network.
One webpage has an awesome bunch of info, though. It's called the HP Windows Client, it can take a 2.5" HDD, it can do BootP and it has a 1MB CL5430 display controller.
Happy hacking!
Yeah, post to comp.emulators.mswindows.wine about it.
Also, check WineHQ for info.
Many folks have complained about TKWine being unmaintained; your changes would be quite welcome.
Power4 != PowerPC. They have a common ancestor, though.
Impact is limited to AS/400 and AIX boxen.
One of these days, we may see Linux or NetBSD ported to Power2. 'Til then, you pays yer license fees.
The Seattle Weekly recently published an article about Seal Press' battle with Mattel.
Seal published a women's-studies anthology called Goodbye Barbie that featured several Mattel-trademarked items on the cover. Including Barbie's own, special shade of pink.
Yes, Mattel owns a color. Does the sun pay trademark duties? Was there no prior art?
This case was also settled out-of-court, with Seal Press agreeing to change the title and cover art.
Don't fsck with Barbie, man.
P.S.-- the Weekly cover featured a drawing of Barbie clubbing a harp seal. Wonder if they'll be receiving a li'l note from Mattel?
Folks, when I posted this, I only had the Streambox press release. After reading the RealNetworks release and some further comments from Alex (Streambox programmer), here's the rough truth:
Streambox has 3 products: Ripper, which converts RA to MP3 or WAV, VCR, which records PNM, RTSP and WMA streams, and Ferret, which supplements or replaces the Snap! search box in RealPlayer.
The Injunction against Ripper has been lifted. This is a Good Thing 'cos it was a test of how much control Real has over the format of streams under the DMCA.
The injunction against working on Ferret and VCR has been lifted. Since VCR's beta, an injunction against sales is immaterial.
The next step is to find out exactly where VCR crosses the line, legally. Alex sez that the big question is currently over whether VCR should have to honor the copy-protect bit in Real streams. After all, a tape deck or TotalRecorder doesn't. Meanwhile, StreamBox is working on versions of VCR with RealMedia support disabled and with copy-protect enabled.
Watch this case! This is a significant test of the DMCA's reverse-engineering provisions.
So, anyone wanna work on an open-source RTSP downloader? There's sample code...
I'm a longtime user of StreamBox/2Bsys products, and a beta tester for the newest version of StreamVCR.
StreamBox VCR, formerly called X-FileGet, downloads Real content using the proprietary PNM and PNM/G2 protocols, as well as the publicly-available RTSP and Windows Media protocols. It uses no Real code. StreamBox is not the only company to do this. Windows Media Player handles RealAudio streams and files, and Oracle is apparently reverse-engineering Real protocols and formats so they can take advantage of Real's installed base for THEIR media server.
StreamBox Ripper, formerly RA2Wav, uses Real DLLs to read RealAudio files, just like a couple WinAmp plugins and (I believe) Windows Media Player. It allows you to write the output to WAV, WMA or MP3, just as if you were using TotalRecorder or Virtual Audio Cable with RealPlayer.
It's not clear what legal ground Real has to stand on. The legality of "space-shifting" and "time-shifting" licensed content has been defended in court and AFAIK, the programmer didn't disassemble any Real code.
However, it looks like Real is approaching this as a format-control issue, arguing that somehow, software that converts their format to another is illegal. It looks like a questionable lawsuit against a company that can't afford lawyers, meant to set a precedent before Real goes up against Microsoft or Oracle.
SEATTLE - Streambox, Inc. (http://www.streambox.com), a leading provider of proprietary streaming technologies for searching, acquiring, playing and managing audio and video files on and from the Internet, must temporarily halt the development, production and sale of various company products, pending a full hearing January 7, due to a temporary restraining order issued here today, the company has announced.
The restraining order was issued by the U.S. District Court in response to an action filed by RealNetworks (RNWK), which alleged that three products - Streambox Ripper, Streambox VCR and Streambox Ferret - have caused irreparable harm to RealNetworks.
"Their main complaint is that our Streambox Ripper product allows content owners to control file format, not RealNetworks. . But we believe that the larger picture of Real's whole tactic is about preventing migration of digital media files from RealMedia to other platforms, such as Microsoft's Windows Media," said Robert Hildeman, chief executive officer of Streambox. "We think that's unfair to both consumers and content providers." In view of the serious impact of the restraining order with respect to Streambox's business, the court also ordered that Real Networks post a $1 million dollar bond to cover any loss to Streambox if the Court later finds that the restraining order was wrongfully issued.
RealNetworks also alleged in the action that Streambox had violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and copyright infringement.
"I don't understand why they are alleging this when our products and technologies truly benefit the content providers and consumers," Hildeman said.
Hildeman said Streambox plans to release a version of its Streambox Ripper product that does not convert RealNetworks' media format. Streambox Ripper is a powerful utility that converts CD and other audio files to the popular MP3 format, allowing MP3 users to listen to millions of previously unavailable audio files, from music to audiobooks, talk radio, interviews and much more.
With the recent explosion of digital music on the Internet, and with the proliferation of popular portable MP3 players like RCA's Lyra, Diamond's Rio, Creative's Nomad and others, Streambox Ripper stands to play a pivotal role in providing much more audio content than ever before imagined, Hildeman said.
About Streambox:
Streambox is the world leader in the searching, indexing and categorizing of streaming media content on the Internet. The company offers full services in Internet streaming technologies that deliver end-to-end solutions for the searching, playing, acquiring, converting and transporting of streaming audio and video files.
Founded in 1999, Streambox provides Internet users with a powerful media portal, search engine and guide. The company extends its powerful technologies to a family of innovative audio and video software for PCs and other devices.
The combined technologies enable the company's customers to enjoy the fastest-growing segment of the Internet - streaming entertainment and information.
Contacts: Bob Hildeman, Streambox
425-702-9348
bob@streambox.com
Bob Silver, The Silver Company
206-624-0388
bob@thesilvercompany.com
I know the driver's beta, and the drives are cheap, but there is an Onstream 30/50G tape driver for Linux.
That said, I might note that DAT drives get tweeky after a while because of their mechanical complexity. (Think VCR, but tiny.) 4mm tapes are cheap, used drives can be a bargain, but don't bet the farm on one. Don't even use it until you get a cleaning tape! (I got mine at the University Bookstore in Seattle.)
QIC/Travan drives are way cheap, moderately reliable, Linux-supported but even the IDE ones are quite slow.
Up here in rainy Seattle, the geeks ride motorcycles. Easy parking, you can use the diamond-lane, and gals think you're something other than a pasty-skinned misfit.
Anything old and Japanese turns my crank, but I'm starting to think Moto-Guzzi. Ducatis and their clones are what I dream of, but I like my license, my savings and shaft-drive.
Most biker geeks I know ride Harleys or other V-twin cruisers.
As a side note, the bike of zealots seems to be BMW. When the weather gets cold and wet, the BMWs keep riding while the cruiser cream-puffs and sportbike dilletantes get back in their cages. For rice-queens like me, it depends on whether the bike with good brakes is running.
I was at the Alternative Press Expo a few years ago when I chatted up a cute gal at the Bunnyhop table. We talked books and I mentioned that I grew up on D.P.
At that, she made loud excited noises, jumped over the table and we did a little jig together.
Trufus factus.
I didn't get her phone number. I shall regret that for the rest of my days.
...formerly known as RA2Wav. There is a trial beta here.
Only problem is, it's Win32. Good thing is, RealPlayer G2 for Win32 runs on the latest CVS of WinE, so there's a good chance StreamRipper and its companion, PNM downloader X-FileGet, will run.
Keep an eye on these guys. The upcoming version of StreamRipper does RA to MP3, CD-ripping and other nifty things, and the upcoming version of StreamVCR handles G2 servers, RTSP and some MMS streams.
Hope this helps!
Had some fun looking at the HTML source for the Angels B-ball feed page. It's MPEG1 served from an HTTP server. They just make it nifty by including a plugin (ActiveX?) to play it, and obscure it a little by giving the MPEG file a DMV extension.
File specs from my Windows box:
Picture Size: 336 x 208 (NTSC)
Bit rate: 884000 bits/sec (!)
Frame rate: 29.97 frames/sec
Has anyone thought about making <Object... parser plugins for browsers on OSes that don't like to automatically receive binaries from websites in order to use 'em? A simple mapping of object ID to local program and parameters to commandline would about suffice.
Well, I'll bet you'll need a good FF video card. There are a number of companies who refit standard video cards to work with a variey of monitors. Mods include anything from changing the BIOS to rewiring the output circuitry to merely setting NVRAM settings in the card.
An alternate method is to go dual-head with a cheal li'l 14" monitor on the primary and a G200 driving the 19".
A search on Yahoo! for fixed-freq turned up a number of resources, including FAQs, lists of suppliers, monitor info and a circuit diagram or two.
NT 3.51 and NT 4 were ported to PPC and MIPS. Support for those platforms was dropped after NT4 SP1. It was hard enough to get folks to ship on Alpha without getting 'em to ship on two more platforms. Micros~1 currently has piles of old PReP/PPC and ARC/MIPS boxen lying around. I'm trying to find out if they can be obtained cheaply.
Windows CE currently supports PPC. It's starting to look more and more like "Windows 9x done right" so I wouldn't be surprised if it were repositioned as a desktop OS, possibly even running on CHRP boxes.
Everex has pledged to provide HW info to help port Linux to their WinCE tablets. (Can't find the link, tho) Also, IIRC there's a low-end B&W model going for $100 at one of the big computer chain-stores.
At this point, it's up to the 50 states to individually ratify the UCITA into state law. So write your state legislator. Snail-mail counts most, short letters with useful arguments are easier for staffers to handle. Basically, (I think) you want to have 'em amend or strike UCC Article 2B. The remote-deactivation provisions will be the most odious and easiest to fight. You can even cite the fact that it will be bad for the commercial software indistry 'cos it'll pressure s/w-dependent businesses to switch to free and homegrown s/w just so they don't have to fear pissing off their s/w vendor.
To find your state legislator: Project Vote-Smart or the Democracy Network.
I remember my mom teaching me to "buffer" ~15 yrs ago. She was from Los Angeles and San Diego and was used to looong freeway commutes. Apparently, this was what folks learned to do, hence the infamous "bumper-to-bumper at 65 MPH" style often associated w/ L.A.
I now live in Seattle and do the same thing. It keeps me occupied, reduces wear-and-tear on my brakes, clutch and engine, and folks behind me sometimes pick up on the idea.
Stop-and-go SUCKS on a motorcycle. More power to anyone trying to reduce it.
Another idea: digital cameras are getting VERY cheap. I've been seeing them for under $90 for no flash/low-mem versions. There's an Agfa model that sells for $120. Hook it up to a power supply and serial and use one of the camera control packages to run it. Excellent image quality, on-camera compression to save CPU, and when the workers get too creeped out, you can decomission 'em (the cameras) and let the kids play with digital photography.
We need to make a FAQ for Linux's limitations.
Linux's 2G file limit is caused by the VFS on 32-bit Linuxae. I think it doesn't apply to Alpha and UltraSparc, though I'd have to verify.
Matti Aarnio's Large File Summit patch takes care of this limitation on x86, PPC and MIPS.
Sure. It's all in Video4Linux or V4L2. The heroic Alan Cox has been hacking on drivers for the open-source LML33 and similar Iomega Buz MJPEG compression cards. This'd allow you to record compressed video to HDD.
MPEG2 has some licensing problems, and the owners are leery about open-source versions of their security measures, but work is progressing.
I don't know about that double-headed HDD one fellow hinted at, but good caching, a quiet HDD and a well-designed custom filesystem may make that unneccessary.
Quantum has a new technology caled QuickView that might be that double-head dealie. Should be fun to write drivers for.
It'll work if you're more patient than Job. An eraser don't set you back too much. With a timer, it'll be worth every penny. Keep in mind that you can "cook" an EPROM if you expose it too much.
Dolby Digital, DiscMan and DAT all use SPDIF for digital I/O. More and more soundcards support SPDIF, but beware: some only sample and output at one speed (SBLive=48K). If you're going for analog I/O, spend money; some cards cost more for a reason.
SPDIF runs over fiber or copper, converters are available. The SBLive! forums seem to have good discussion of SPDIF issues. There are also cheap SPDIF-only cards available. Some are supported under Linux, I believe.
'twould be nifty to have a thinclient with speakers in each room, feeding off a MP3/netradio server. Of course, decompression lag would lead to echoey audio between rooms. Better to just use USB speakers.