[gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[James]

Hello,

Has anyone any experience with a Gentoo based wearable computer?
I specifically need 802.11* && an ethernet port, at least one video input
and one audio i/o port. Speech recognition would be a bonus.

Ideas or recommendations on software and hardware are most welcome.

James



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Re: [gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[Mark Shields]

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You want to be a gargoyle (
http://tecfa.unige.ch/perso/staf/nova/blog/2003/09/23/gargoyle-and-self-gargoyle/
)?

Heh. I'd start with a mac mini.

On 10/27/05, James <wireless@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> Has anyone any experience with a Gentoo based wearable computer?
> I specifically need 802.11* && an ethernet port, at least one video input
> and one audio i/o port. Speech recognition would be a bonus.
>
> Ideas or recommendations on software and hardware are most welcome.
>
> James
>
>
>
> --
> gentoo-user@gentoo.org mailing list
>
>


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- Mark Shields

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[gentoo-user] Re: Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[James]

Mark Shields <laebshade <at> gmail.com> writes:

> You want to be a gargoyle
(http://tecfa.unige.ch/perso/staf/nova/blog/2003/
09/23/gargoyle-and-self-gargoyle/)?



Not really a gargoyle (even though I'm as paranoid as the next humanoid).
My application is working with technicians that cover a wide geographic
area of  industrial equipment. Many times I drive to a remote site, and it's
not necessary, they just did not articulate the issue/problem/question
with accuracy. If I provide them a wearable rig then we can examine
problems with equipment, and I can stay in the remote (air conditioned) lab.

Sure, there may be resistance at first to these sort of gadgets, but,
being a very cool and creative type-A, I've decide to spice them up
with sports, music, and other streaming AV goodies, so the techs
see the devices as enjoyable. Obviously for work well done, there will be
PERKS via the devices. I'm open to a device for endorphin injections
on a micro scale, if you know a good source.

I'm basically sorry/lazy/stupid and getting old fast trying to keep up
with troubleshooting industrial equipment. I need something to minimize
truck rolls and thereby justify being on the payroll as a consultant.

Naturally, after lowering expectations for a few years, I now have to
deliver something very cool, to stay gamefully employeed.

Got any better ideas for a poezr in an industrial environment?

James



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Re: [gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[A. Khattri]

On Thu, 27 Oct 2005, Mark Shields wrote:

> You want to be a gargoyle (
> http://tecfa.unige.ch/perso/staf/nova/blog/2003/09/23/gargoyle-and-self-gargoyle/
> )?
>
> Heh. I'd start with a mac mini.

Or get Gentoo running on this:
http://www.projectblackdog.com/


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Re: [gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[Matt Randolph]

A. Khattri wrote:

>On Thu, 27 Oct 2005, Mark Shields wrote:
>
>  
>
>>You want to be a gargoyle (
>>http://tecfa.unige.ch/perso/staf/nova/blog/2003/09/23/gargoyle-and-self-gargoyle/
>>)?
>>
>>Heh. I'd start with a mac mini.
>>    
>>
>
>Or get Gentoo running on this:
>http://www.projectblackdog.com/
>
>
>  
>

My gosh! They've invented the world's most expensive Knoppix CD.
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Re: [gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[A. Khattri]

On Thu, 27 Oct 2005, Matt Randolph wrote:

> My gosh! They've invented the world's most expensive Knoppix CD.

I forgot, the Knoppix CD is writable and comes with a fingerprint
reader...


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Re: [gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[Matt Randolph]

A. Khattri wrote:

>On Thu, 27 Oct 2005, Matt Randolph wrote:
>
>  
>
>>My gosh! They've invented the world's most expensive Knoppix CD.
>>    
>>
>
>I forgot, the Knoppix CD is writable and comes with a fingerprint
>reader...
>
>
>  
>

This is a very interesting product and I am glad that you mentioned it. 
However, I think I would rather use a cheap thumbdrive, strong 
passwords, and a Knoppix CD. Total cost = ~$30.

If you must have a biometric scanner for security, there are much 
cheaper ways to do it. I just found a 512MB Sandisk Cruzer Profile for 
$55. It is a thumbdrive and a fingerprint scanner combined. Add a 
Knoppix CD and you have the same functionality as this device. Except 
the BlackDog only has a 400MHz PPC CPU and 64MB RAM. This is probably 
slower than the host computer will be and it probably has less RAM too. 
Also, everything like networking, video, and disk activity must be 
squeezed through the USB bus when you use this device. With Knoppix, you 
use the PCI and AGP busses of the host computer for these things. 
Knoppix should be much faster than this device for most purposes.

Although this is an interesting product, I don't see how someone would 
use it as a "Wearab le" computer. It requires a host computer to provide 
input and output devices as well as to provide electricity. The only 
heads-up display glasses I know of have to be connected to a VGA, NTSC, 
or PAL video source. It doesn't look like this device can produce these 
signals. If you wanted to wear this, you would need to connect it to a 
sub-notebook running Windows or Linux and carry them both around. But 
then why not just put Gentoo on the sub-notebook instead?

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Re: [gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[A. Khattri]

On Fri, 28 Oct 2005, Matt Randolph wrote:

> If you must have a biometric scanner for security, there are much
> cheaper ways to do it. I just found a 512MB Sandisk Cruzer Profile for
> $55. It is a thumbdrive and a fingerprint scanner combined. Add a
> Knoppix CD and you have the same functionality as this device. Except
> the BlackDog only has a 400MHz PPC CPU and 64MB RAM. This is probably
> slower than the host computer will be and it probably has less RAM too.
> Also, everything like networking, video, and disk activity must be
> squeezed through the USB bus when you use this device. With Knoppix, you
> use the PCI and AGP busses of the host computer for these things.
> Knoppix should be much faster than this device for most purposes.

Not trying to knock what you're saying but in terms of requirements, both
a Knoppix CD and a Blackdog box require a host computer of some kind.


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Re: [gentoo-user] Wearab le Gentoo Computer?

[Michael Crute]

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On 10/28/05, A. Khattri <ajai@bway.net> wrote:
>
> On Fri, 28 Oct 2005, Matt Randolph wrote:
>
> > If you must have a biometric scanner for security, there are much
> > cheaper ways to do it. I just found a 512MB Sandisk Cruzer Profile for
> > $55. It is a thumbdrive and a fingerprint scanner combined. Add a
> > Knoppix CD and you have the same functionality as this device. Except
> > the BlackDog only has a 400MHz PPC CPU and 64MB RAM. This is probably
> > slower than the host computer will be and it probably has less RAM too.
> > Also, everything like networking, video, and disk activity must be
> > squeezed through the USB bus when you use this device. With Knoppix, you
> > use the PCI and AGP busses of the host computer for these things.
> > Knoppix should be much faster than this device for most purposes.
>
> Not trying to knock what you're saying but in terms of requirements, both
> a Knoppix CD and a Blackdog box require a host computer of some kind.
>
>
Its not really wearable but has anyone considered tablet pc's? They are
small (roughly the dimensions of a piece of paper) and about as thick as a
pack of looseleaf paper. I had an HP TC1100 with Mandrivle on it and it
worked pretty nice.

-Mike

--
________________________________
Michael E. Crute
Software Developer
SoftGroup Development Corporation

Linux, because reboots are for installing hardware.
"In a world without walls and fences, who needs windows and gates?"

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