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Bradley Walker
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 Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 1:54 pm Post subject: Best linux for compact car-computer? |
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Hello all,
Me and another friend are looking to build individual car-computers for our
respective vehicles. While we are going to be using compact hardware that
is hidden from any passengers, but still entails the full features of any
given computer, we have approached this from different angles. My friend is
using the remnants of a early era "Blueberry" iMac G3 333mhz with OSX with
custom LCD touch screen. However for myself, I am using an x86 based
solution with similiar touch screen.
Hardware wise, my early plans seem to be worked out on how to use the
hardware, but I am still searching for the best software solution.
Currently as a business owner, I am on the road alot. My goal with this
project is to accomplish several things. First is that of music/media. I
want to be able to quickly copy my database of CD's onto a server that will
wirelessly stream them to my car so I don't have to fiddle with the wires of
MP3 players. Secondly being that I conduct business on the road, I want to
have the ability to use the computing aspect of the PC to do work. I.E.
surf a wireless hotspot using Yahoo Maps (or GPS) to find a clients rural
location, etc. You are probably asking "Why doesn't he just carry a laptop
and use his ipod into the sterio...?" I've thought of that, and the less
clutter, the better!
Anyway, I've been thinking over what OS/software will be needed to solve
this. I've thought of WinXP, Linux, etc default installs but that simply
doesn't cut it. First off they are too large (Compact Flash media @ 2gb max
hdd space) and secondly too many features there that can't be used in a car.
I need the following things accomplished regardless of the OS being used.
Any insight on to what I can use would be GREATLY appreciated:
- All input will be done via touch screen mounted on the dash.
- Webbrowsing & email access for getting client email when on the road.
- Wireless streaming of legally owned music from current PC to car PC.
- Un-nessecary OS bloat removed to be slimline (less icons as possible, less
additional software installed as possible).
- Media players with large buttons, simple interfaces to glance at when
driving (think of WinXP media center... simplified even more)
- Decent driver support. This will be using mini-ITX based hardware.
- Simple file storage/explorer/management for accessing/creating files on
the road.
- Any sort of GPS compatibility.
Thoughts, suggestions, comments, or even opinions??
Thanks
Brad |
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M. Trimble
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject: Re: Best linux for compact car-computer? |
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Bradley Walker wrote:
| Quote: | Hello all,
Me and another friend are looking to build individual car-computers for
our
respective vehicles. While we are going to be using compact hardware that
is hidden from any passengers, but still entails the full features of any
given computer, we have approached this from different angles. My friend
is using the remnants of a early era "Blueberry" iMac G3 333mhz with OSX
with
custom LCD touch screen. However for myself, I am using an x86 based
solution with similiar touch screen.
Hardware wise, my early plans seem to be worked out on how to use the
hardware, but I am still searching for the best software solution.
Currently as a business owner, I am on the road alot. My goal with this
project is to accomplish several things. First is that of music/media. I
want to be able to quickly copy my database of CD's onto a server that
will wirelessly stream them to my car so I don't have to fiddle with the
wires of
MP3 players. Secondly being that I conduct business on the road, I want
to
have the ability to use the computing aspect of the PC to do work. I.E.
surf a wireless hotspot using Yahoo Maps (or GPS) to find a clients rural
location, etc. You are probably asking "Why doesn't he just carry a
laptop
and use his ipod into the sterio...?" I've thought of that, and the less
clutter, the better!
Anyway, I've been thinking over what OS/software will be needed to solve
this. I've thought of WinXP, Linux, etc default installs but that simply
doesn't cut it. First off they are too large (Compact Flash media @ 2gb
max hdd space) and secondly too many features there that can't be used in
a car. I need the following things accomplished regardless of the OS being
used. Any insight on to what I can use would be GREATLY appreciated:
- All input will be done via touch screen mounted on the dash.
- Webbrowsing & email access for getting client email when on the road.
- Wireless streaming of legally owned music from current PC to car PC.
- Un-nessecary OS bloat removed to be slimline (less icons as possible,
less additional software installed as possible).
- Media players with large buttons, simple interfaces to glance at when
driving (think of WinXP media center... simplified even more)
- Decent driver support. This will be using mini-ITX based hardware.
- Simple file storage/explorer/management for accessing/creating files on
the road.
- Any sort of GPS compatibility.
Thoughts, suggestions, comments, or even opinions??
Thanks
Brad
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Have you considered something like Damn Small Linux, reconfigured to support
wifi and use something like XMMS (has a nice 'doublesize' feature) to
support mp3 format and a CD's or flash memory for storage of mp3's? You
wouldn't have immediate access to all of your music collection unless you
changed cd/flash memory module, but a) your storage would be well-nigh
infinite and b) you wouldn't run the risk of being out of range or away
from your streaming source. |
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