Whilst whirring away the hours before missy started up again I found puppy linux (www.puppylinux.org) and it looks like just the thing I need to start on the webpad project. The idea ermains the same:
1. Low carbon impact computer using web based applications through firefox. i.e minimal power drain!
2. CF drive with USB support for data storage off a mini-tx board
3. Wireless or wired connection
4. Thats it
I’ve posted on the puppylinux forums to get some help in stripping the OS down to the bare minimum as I simply don’t have a clue. BUt this isn’t going to happen overnight as I have absolutely zerotime at home. Lunches only!
Archive for October, 2006
Project Webpad
Posted 26 Oct 2006 — by Alex
Category Technology
Category Technology
ISP fair use
Posted 25 Oct 2006 — by Alex
Category Technology
Category Technology
This post isn’t politically motivated. I don’t hate any ISP and I don’t want utopia. What I do want is a fair deal, and I’m fairly sure you don’t get that with ISP’s
For a long time ISP’s have been advertising speeds that are not achievable. The marketeers would have you beleive that 8Mb broadband gives you speeds of 8Mb and that unlimited is unlimited. The news item http://www.adslguide.org.uk/newsarchive.asp?item=2652 says it all but the consumer gets the rough end of the deal.
I would like ISP’s to offer the consumer the same level playing field. So there are 2 things that I would like to be brought up
1. If there is a Fair Use Policy (FUP) and it only affects a low percentage of people then tell the consumer what the limit is. If there is a moving goal post then be transparent and you might find that your customers are more understanding. Receiving snot-o-grams which don’t give specific data does not help either the ISP or consumer.
2. By all mean advertise the theoretical speed. But as we know theory and practice aren’t always the same. All I would like it a bit of communication, tell me what I’m going to get on an average day at peak time and at off peak time. Call it a guide but make it accurate enough to make a value judgment.
As I continue to pay for my broadband to a commercial company I expect that their motivation is profit and until such time as not for profit broadband comes along then I will continue to pay. All I ask in return is a bit a of clarity and a level playing field with which to make an informed choice based on fact rather than vague statistics.
Urchin – Update
Posted 25 Oct 2006 — by Alex
Category Urchin
Category Urchin
The inital euphoria has now passed and a month on it seems as though missy refuses to sleep and needs twice the amount of food she actually needs. Consequently all project work is on hold until I get a little more sleep than I’m currently getting and that someone else who shall remain namely is a little kinder to her parents.
All throughout the pregancy and even at the latter stage H and I were just ignoring the advice of others and warnings over the forthcomming hardships. Let this be a warning for others to ignore.
I’m off for a crafty kip in the corner before anyone sees me
Invention Corner – Pegasus Presentation
Posted 13 Oct 2006 — by Alex
Category Invention Corner
Category Invention Corner
Its probably about time that I came clean about what Pegasus actually is and how I came to spend 25 hours sniffing fumes from a fibreglass model.
Way back when Noah was in short trousers or so it seems, The old girl showed me a advert in some trade magazine for the concept 2006 competetion run by Bureau Veritas with a prize of ??1000 for the winner. She goaded me to make something seeing I was a bit of a smart arse so the challenge was set.
The Theme – Baby Products….how apt
About 20 minutes of thinking and I came up with something that still needs to be quite secret for obvious reasons. I submitted the entry not expecting anything, I got shortlisted from around 350 entries down to the last 10 and finally down to the last 4. last week i had to present my wonder at the NEC.
So a second challenge was set. Make the item without spending much cash and try and return a profit on the whole proceedings. ??78 later (including fuel) I was down at the NEC competing against products already available and at the back of stand away from the prying eyes.
Needless to say i didn’t win the top prize but after recieving a cheque for ??200 I can safely say I got home just about in profit after deducting all my expenses. Challenge complete.
The twist is that I picked up a few business cards from people who may wish to take this further, hence the secrecy.
more may follow…..
