Re: Linux notetaker

Re: Linux notetaker

[Doug]

You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
info on embedded hardware and such here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/

   -- Doug



Cecil wrote:
>Check out this article at cnet.
>http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
>Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a small
>package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option then it
>moves up to awesome.

Re: Linux notetaker

[Doug]

Well, I have played with an 800Mhz Crusoe on a 4x4
inch board with MiniPCI, and I was very impressed,
especially with the power consumption. It may not
be as fast as native x86 but there is a price you
pay in power for that.

   -- Doug


Alex wrote:
 > I dont like the cruso chip.  first it's not that
 > fast and second it includes tcpa support.

RE: Linux notetaker

[Doug]

Most of the small "book PC" type products, and the embedded
boards, have PS/2 keyboard/mouse ports. So you can use a
normal keyboard, or you can use smaller qwerty, half qwerty,
or a chording keyboard. I use all of these depending on the
situation. For the products that don't have PS/2, they can
usually be used with USB equivalents, provided it has a
host USB port (most PDAs don't have this, they have device
USB port only (ie the PDA acts as a USB device not master).
Some keyboard alternatives:

http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/hardware/#Input

 > little palmtops like the Sharp xoros come with
 > keyboard or they use any software based tuch screen
 > staff?

Do you mean sharp zaurus? Search on xoros doesn't
find me a PDA ... for most PDAs there are serial
keyboard add-on products that clip onto the PC
docking port/cradle interface. For example cirque
makes a small keyboard that will work with palm,
handspring, etc. There seems to be lots of PDA
keyboards on the market today. I personally think
they should just implement PS/2 ...

   -- Doug


Nektarios wrote:
 > Sorry for the stupid question, but what kind of keyboard
 > could someone use for such an implementation?


Do those


>Regards.
>Nektarios.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: speakup-admin@braille.uwo.ca [mailto:speakup-admin@braille.uwo.ca]On
>Behalf Of Doug
>Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 4:47 AM
>To: speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>Subject: Re: Linux notetaker
>
>
>You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
>box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
>same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
>with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
>of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
>Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
>as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
>lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
>info on embedded hardware and such here:
>
>http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/
>
>    -- Doug
>
>
>
>Cecil wrote:
> >Check out this article at cnet.
> >http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
> >Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a small
> >package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option then it
> >moves up to awesome.
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Speakup mailing list
>Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Speakup mailing list
>Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: Linux notetaker

[Alex Snow]

I dont like the cruso chip.  first it's not that fast and second it
includes tcpa support.

--
A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Doug wrote:

> You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
> box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
> same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
> with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
> of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
> Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
> as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
> lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
> info on embedded hardware and such here:
>
> http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/
>
>    -- Doug
>
>
>
> Cecil wrote:
> >Check out this article at cnet.
> >http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
> >Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a small
> >package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option then it
> >moves up to awesome.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

RE: Linux notetaker

[Nektarios Mallas]

Sorry for the stupid question, but what kind of keyboard could someone use
for such an implementation? Do those little palmtops like the Sharp xoros
come with keyboard or they use any software based tuch screen staff?

Regards.
Nektarios.


-----Original Message-----
From: speakup-admin@braille.uwo.ca [mailto:speakup-admin@braille.uwo.ca]On
Behalf Of Doug
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 4:47 AM
To: speakup@braille.uwo.ca
Subject: Re: Linux notetaker


You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
info on embedded hardware and such here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/

   -- Doug



Cecil wrote:
>Check out this article at cnet.
>http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
>Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a small
>package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option then it
>moves up to awesome.



_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: Linux notetaker

[Lorenzo Prince]

Just a question.  What does the TCPA do?

Lorenzo

Q: Why shouldn't I simply delete the stuff I never use, it's just taking up
   space?
A: This question is in the category of Famous Last Words..
	-- From the Frequently Unasked Questions

Alex Snow staggered into view and mumbled:

> I dont like the cruso chip.  first it's not that fast and second it
> includes tcpa support.
>
> --
> A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
> On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Doug wrote:
>
> > You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
> > box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
> > same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
> > with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
> > of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
> > Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
> > as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
> > lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
> > info on embedded hardware and such here:
> >
> > http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/
> >
> >    -- Doug
> >
> >
> >
> > Cecil wrote:
> > >Check out this article at cnet.
> > >http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
> > >Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a small
> > >package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option then it
> > >moves up to awesome.
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: Linux notetaker

[Alex Snow]

well...it basically gives microsoft and the government total control of
your comp...something they definitely arent ready to do...do a search for
palladium (microsoft's software inplememtation of tcpa) on newsforge.com
or google and take a look at some of those articles.  they're quite
interesting.

--
A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Lorenzo Prince wrote:

> Just a question.  What does the TCPA do?
>
> Lorenzo
>
> Q: Why shouldn't I simply delete the stuff I never use, it's just taking up
>    space?
> A: This question is in the category of Famous Last Words..
> 	-- From the Frequently Unasked Questions
>
> Alex Snow staggered into view and mumbled:
>
> > I dont like the cruso chip.  first it's not that fast and second it
> > includes tcpa support.
> >
> > --
> > A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
> > On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Doug wrote:
> >
> > > You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
> > > box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
> > > same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
> > > with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
> > > of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
> > > Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
> > > as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
> > > lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
> > > info on embedded hardware and such here:
> > >
> > > http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/
> > >
> > >    -- Doug
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Cecil wrote:
> > > >Check out this article at cnet.
> > > >http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
> > > >Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a small
> > > >package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option then it
> > > >moves up to awesome.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Speakup mailing list
> > > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: Linux notetaker

[David Poehlman]

here's a link:
http://www.aaxnet.com/editor/edit029.html
It's a bit on the long and scary side so be warned.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alex Snow" <alex_snow@gmx.net>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 5:09 PM
Subject: Re: Linux notetaker


well...it basically gives microsoft and the government total control of
your comp...something they definitely arent ready to do...do a search for
palladium (microsoft's software inplememtation of tcpa) on newsforge.com
or google and take a look at some of those articles.  they're quite
interesting.

--
A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up
yours!"
On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Lorenzo Prince wrote:

> Just a question.  What does the TCPA do?
>
> Lorenzo
>
> Q: Why shouldn't I simply delete the stuff I never use, it's just taking
up
>    space?
> A: This question is in the category of Famous Last Words..
> -- From the Frequently Unasked Questions
>
> Alex Snow staggered into view and mumbled:
>
> > I dont like the cruso chip.  first it's not that fast and second it
> > includes tcpa support.
> >
> > --
> > A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up
yours!"
> > On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Doug wrote:
> >
> > > You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
> > > box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
> > > same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
> > > with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
> > > of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
> > > Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
> > > as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
> > > lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
> > > info on embedded hardware and such here:
> > >
> > > http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/
> > >
> > >    -- Doug
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Cecil wrote:
> > > >Check out this article at cnet.
> > > >http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
> > > >Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a
small
> > > >package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option
then it
> > > >moves up to awesome.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Speakup mailing list
> > > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: Linux notetaker

[Alex Snow]

Hi.
will have to take a look at this one...

--
A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, David Poehlman wrote:

> here's a link:
> http://www.aaxnet.com/editor/edit029.html
> It's a bit on the long and scary side so be warned.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alex Snow" <alex_snow@gmx.net>
> To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 5:09 PM
> Subject: Re: Linux notetaker
>
>
> well...it basically gives microsoft and the government total control of
> your comp...something they definitely arent ready to do...do a search for
> palladium (microsoft's software inplememtation of tcpa) on newsforge.com
> or google and take a look at some of those articles.  they're quite
> interesting.
>
> --
> A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up
> yours!"
> On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Lorenzo Prince wrote:
>
> > Just a question.  What does the TCPA do?
> >
> > Lorenzo
> >
> > Q: Why shouldn't I simply delete the stuff I never use, it's just taking
> up
> >    space?
> > A: This question is in the category of Famous Last Words..
> > -- From the Frequently Unasked Questions
> >
> > Alex Snow staggered into view and mumbled:
> >
> > > I dont like the cruso chip.  first it's not that fast and second it
> > > includes tcpa support.
> > >
> > > --
> > > A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up
> yours!"
> > > On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Doug wrote:
> > >
> > > > You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
> > > > box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
> > > > same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
> > > > with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
> > > > of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
> > > > Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
> > > > as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
> > > > lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
> > > > info on embedded hardware and such here:
> > > >
> > > > http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/
> > > >
> > > >    -- Doug
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Cecil wrote:
> > > > >Check out this article at cnet.
> > > > >http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
> > > > >Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a
> small
> > > > >package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option
> then it
> > > > >moves up to awesome.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Speakup mailing list
> > > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: Linux notetaker

[Adam Myrow]

Wow, that's some scary stuff!  Yet, the links at the bottom point to the
Enquirer in several places.  Isn't that a tabloid?

Re: Linux notetaker

[Luke Davis]

Unless it's the Philadelphia one, yes.

However, it has frequently broken stories, well in advance of major media
outlets, which have later proved true.  As such, I wouldn't discount it.


On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Adam Myrow wrote:

> Wow, that's some scary stuff!  Yet, the links at the bottom point to the
> Enquirer in several places.  Isn't that a tabloid?
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: Linux notetaker

[Charles Crawford]

I don't find it interesting as much as frightening.



On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Alex Snow wrote:

> well...it basically gives microsoft and the government total control of
> your comp...something they definitely arent ready to do...do a search for
> palladium (microsoft's software inplememtation of tcpa) on newsforge.com
> or google and take a look at some of those articles.  they're quite
> interesting.
> 
> --
> A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
> On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Lorenzo Prince wrote:
> 
> > Just a question.  What does the TCPA do?
> >
> > Lorenzo
> >
> > Q: Why shouldn't I simply delete the stuff I never use, it's just taking up
> >    space?
> > A: This question is in the category of Famous Last Words..
> > 	-- From the Frequently Unasked Questions
> >
> > Alex Snow staggered into view and mumbled:
> >
> > > I dont like the cruso chip.  first it's not that fast and second it
> > > includes tcpa support.
> > >
> > > --
> > > A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
> > > On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Doug wrote:
> > >
> > > > You can buy the Mini ITX boards that are inside that
> > > > box for cheap. Throw it in a box and you have the
> > > > same thing. You can also go down to about 4x4 inches
> > > > with and PC/104 CPU board. There are now a wide range
> > > > of single 4x4 or 4x6 inch boards with audio including
> > > > Pentiums, Geodes, Crusoe, etc. They are selling for
> > > > as low as $350 (with processor, without RAM). The
> > > > lower power units tend to cost more. I have tons of
> > > > info on embedded hardware and such here:
> > > >
> > > > http://home.earthlink.net/~wearable/
> > > >
> > > >    -- Doug
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Cecil wrote:
> > > > >Check out this article at cnet.
> > > > >http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
> > > > >Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a small
> > > > >package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option then it
> > > > >moves up to awesome.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Speakup mailing list
> > > > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Speakup mailing list
> > > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> 

-- 
-- Charlie Crawford

Re: linux notetaker

[Doug]

 > 386 laptop 2mb ram 16mhz cpu etc...
 > linux probably would work even on that.

Patrick has a low memory kernel (slackware) here:
ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-current/kernels/lowmem.i/

lowmem.i This is a really stripped-down Linux kernel which might be
useful for installing on IDE systems with a low amount of RAM
(less than 8MB). It's also the only Slackware kernel that supports
old 386 machines. If bare.i runs into problems, you might try this.
NOTE: On systems with extremely low memory (4MB), ZipSlack plus the
fourmeg.zip add-on (found in the zipslack directory) may boot and
run even in cases where lowmem.i doesn't. If you have to use lowmem.i
to install, you'll then probably have to compile a custom kernel with
the minimal additional features that your machine requires.

ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-current/bootdisks/README.TXT

The Slackware install.zip was made for two main reasons: to address
the inconvenience and difficulty of having to use three floppy disks
for installing Slackware; and at the same time to try to reduce the
hardware memory requirement. If an operating system can run with
8MB RAM, it should also be able to install on such a machine, right?

5. I would recommend at least 8MB RAM, but you might succeed with as
    little as 5MB (with patience and a lot of time).

ftp://ftp.slackware.com/pub/slackware/slackware-current/rootdisks/install.zip.README

It's doable in 4MB RAM (maybe), but I'm not so sure about
2MB RAM. That might not be enough to boot and get the swap
running.

   -- Doug

Re: linux notetaker

[Alex Snow]

I at one time had a toshiba 386 laptop 2mb ram 16mhz cpu etc...linux
probably would work even on that.

--
A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
On Wed, 23 Apr 2003, Doug wrote:

> It is possible to boot linux on 386SL with 6MB RAM.
> It is also possible to fit a small linux distribution
> in well under 80MB (text only, no x-windows). This
> guy says he runs linux on a 386SL with 4MB RAM and
> 80MB hard drive:
>
> "The laptop I use when I'm out and about has a 386SL,
> 4Mb RAM, and an 80Mb HD, and I manage quite nicely
> on it, thank you!"
> http://dunne.dyn.dhs.org/~paul/articles/exe-linux
>
> So I think it will work, but you'd want as much RAM
> as possible (ideally the max 20MB), and this is a
> slow processor (25Mhz), so it won't be lighting
> fast. I have no idea about the braille components,
> I would imagine that some work would be needed to
> get those working. Perhaps some existing code like
> brltty could be adapted to work with it.
>
> If you want to try linux on a small machine like
> this, look at some of the mini linux distributions
> like pocket linux and such (there are many to choose
> from). You can use tools like busybox to keep the
> executables small.
>
> -- Doug
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Linux notetaker

[Whitley GS11 Cecil H]

Hi,
Check out this article at cnet.
http://news.com.com/2100-1042-998203.html?tag=fd_top
Given a speakup enabled kernel and an external synth this would be a small
package.  If it's got onboard sound and software synth is an option then it
moves up to awesome.
Cecil

Re: linux notetaker

[Alex Snow]

You'd have to find out if it's supported by brltty

--
A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
On Wed, 23 Apr 2003, Glenn Ervinat home wrote:

> That's a good question, I'll have to find out how much mine has.  I am
> wondering about the Braille display?
> How would it be identified for output?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Doug" <wearable@shawcable.com>
> To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 12:46 PM
> Subject: Re: linux notetaker
>
>
> If it's 386 it should work, provided it has enough RAM.
> How much RAM does it have? You may need to use of the
> the lowmem kernels ...
>
>  > Would Linux work on a David386? It is a standard 386
>  > laptop with an 80 MB harddrive with a Braille display
>  > and Braille keyboard.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: linux notetaker

[Alex Snow]

should...if you can find a distro small enough to fit on the 80mb
disk...but it'd be painfully slow.

--
A message from the system administrator: "I've upped my priority, now up yours!"
On Wed, 23 Apr 2003, Glenn Ervinat home wrote:

> Would Linux work on a David386?
> It is a standard 386 laptop with an 80 MB harddrive with a Braille display
> and Braille keyboard.
> It has inputs & outputs for a standard keyboard & v g a monitor.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gregory Nowak" <greg@romuald.net.eu.org>
> To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 4:22 PM
> Subject: Re: linux notetaker
>
>
> Does anyone know if you can get that without a braille display? From what I
> heard, they seem to have only braille display models available.
> If you can get one without a display now, then what's the price?
>
> Also, has anybody gotten to use one extensively, and if so, could you please
> share your impressions on the list or privately?
> Thanks.
>
> Greg
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 23, 2003 at 10:03:26AM -0400, David Poehlman wrote:
> > well, there is the elba from:
> > http://www.sighted.com
> > it is a linux box.
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: linux notetaker

[Glenn Ervinat home]

Here is some info on my David 386 laptop, if anyone knows if it is enough to
run Linux, and any speculations as to whether it would be able to address
the Braille keyboard & display.
I don't know yet how much ram mine has, as I need to take it in and see
about replacing the cMos battery, and I'll see about upgrading any hardware
then...
Product Specifications

System Configuration
Processor, 386SL
RAM: 6 MB, optional 8, 12, or 20 MB.
Hard Disk: 80 MB, (Optional, 170, or 260 MB).

Floppy disk: 1.44 MB.

Interfaces:  Serial, Parallel, VGA Monitor, QWERTY Keyboard.

General
Battery operation time, 5 hours
Battery charge time, 2 hours
Power consumption: 12 bolts, 0.5 Amps average.
Charger power: 100 to 240 Volts AC; 50/60 Hz.

Dimensions: 12.85 inches by 10 inches by 2.6 inches
Weight, 7.9 pounds.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug" <wearable@shawcable.com>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 12:46 PM
Subject: Re: linux notetaker


If it's 386 it should work, provided it has enough RAM.
How much RAM does it have? You may need to use of the
the lowmem kernels ...

 > Would Linux work on a David386? It is a standard 386
 > laptop with an 80 MB harddrive with a Braille display
 > and Braille keyboard.


_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: linux notetaker

[Glenn Ervinat home]

That's a good question, I'll have to find out how much mine has.  I am
wondering about the Braille display?
How would it be identified for output?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug" <wearable@shawcable.com>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 12:46 PM
Subject: Re: linux notetaker


If it's 386 it should work, provided it has enough RAM.
How much RAM does it have? You may need to use of the
the lowmem kernels ...

 > Would Linux work on a David386? It is a standard 386
 > laptop with an 80 MB harddrive with a Braille display
 > and Braille keyboard.


_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: linux notetaker

[Glenn Ervinat home]

Would Linux work on a David386?
It is a standard 386 laptop with an 80 MB harddrive with a Braille display
and Braille keyboard.
It has inputs & outputs for a standard keyboard & v g a monitor.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gregory Nowak" <greg@romuald.net.eu.org>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 4:22 PM
Subject: Re: linux notetaker


Does anyone know if you can get that without a braille display? From what I
heard, they seem to have only braille display models available.
If you can get one without a display now, then what's the price?

Also, has anybody gotten to use one extensively, and if so, could you please
share your impressions on the list or privately?
Thanks.

Greg


On Wed, Apr 23, 2003 at 10:03:26AM -0400, David Poehlman wrote:
> well, there is the elba from:
> http://www.sighted.com
> it is a linux box.
>

_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: linux notetaker

[David Poehlman]

I had heard that they will give you full access though if you ask?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Asmodean" <raul@asmodean.net>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 3:04 PM
Subject: Re: linux notetaker


I thought you could get access to the shell as root on those.  At least that
is what I was told at one point of me searching for a display.

----- Original Message -----
From: <eh51@cornell.edu>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Cc: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: linux notetaker


>
> The ELBA is a linux-based notetaker, made by Papenmeier, and available
> from Sighted Electronics in the US.  I have been using one for about 8
> months and I like it a lot.  Like everything else Linux, it's extremely
> stable and dependable.  They only come as braille display units, though,
> which makes them expensive.  But the braille is beautiful.
>
> You don't get as much control over the Linux system as you would if it
> were your desktop machine.  They block access to some stuff to make
> support easier for them.


_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: linux notetaker

[David Poehlman]

I don't think there are plans to make one without a braille display but if
there are, you'll find it on the site first.  I spent some time with one
almost a year ago and was quite impressed with its stability and design as
well as its performance.  If you like linux and or simplicity of use, you'll
like it.  It has grown tremendously since I saw it so perhaps someone with
more current experience with it will share with us if available.  I know
there is someone on another list who is evaluating one right now and When I
find him, I'll see if I can get him to send a review I can put here.

I guess though that we are getting a bit off the topic for the list.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gregory Nowak" <greg@romuald.net.eu.org>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 5:22 PM
Subject: Re: linux notetaker


Does anyone know if you can get that without a braille display? From what I
heard, they seem to have only braille display models available.
If you can get one without a display now, then what's the price?

Also, has anybody gotten to use one extensively, and if so, could you please
share your impressions on the list or privately?
Thanks.

Greg


On Wed, Apr 23, 2003 at 10:03:26AM -0400, David Poehlman wrote:
> well, there is the elba from:
> http://www.sighted.com
> it is a linux box.
>

_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: linux notetaker

[Gregory Nowak]

Does anyone know if you can get that without a braille display? From what I heard, they seem to have only braille display models available. 
If you can get one without a display now, then what's the price?

Also, has anybody gotten to use one extensively, and if so, could you please share your impressions on the list or privately?
Thanks.

Greg


On Wed, Apr 23, 2003 at 10:03:26AM -0400, David Poehlman wrote:
> well, there is the elba from:
> http://www.sighted.com
> it is a linux box.
> 

Re: linux notetaker

[Doug]

It is possible to boot linux on 386SL with 6MB RAM.
It is also possible to fit a small linux distribution
in well under 80MB (text only, no x-windows). This
guy says he runs linux on a 386SL with 4MB RAM and
80MB hard drive:

"The laptop I use when I'm out and about has a 386SL,
4Mb RAM, and an 80Mb HD, and I manage quite nicely
on it, thank you!"
http://dunne.dyn.dhs.org/~paul/articles/exe-linux

So I think it will work, but you'd want as much RAM
as possible (ideally the max 20MB), and this is a
slow processor (25Mhz), so it won't be lighting
fast. I have no idea about the braille components,
I would imagine that some work would be needed to
get those working. Perhaps some existing code like
brltty could be adapted to work with it.

If you want to try linux on a small machine like
this, look at some of the mini linux distributions
like pocket linux and such (there are many to choose
from). You can use tools like busybox to keep the
executables small.

-- Doug

Re: linux notetaker

[eh51]

One note when considering cost, though.  the 32 cell Elba or braillenote 
isn't really that much more then similarly-sized braille displays.  I 
went for the ELBA because I needed a display and it was very convenient 
to have the notetaker functions, too.  

Liz

Re: linux notetaker

[Asmodean]

I thought you could get access to the shell as root on those.  At least that
is what I was told at one point of me searching for a display.

----- Original Message -----
From: <eh51@cornell.edu>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Cc: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: linux notetaker


>
> The ELBA is a linux-based notetaker, made by Papenmeier, and available
> from Sighted Electronics in the US.  I have been using one for about 8
> months and I like it a lot.  Like everything else Linux, it's extremely
> stable and dependable.  They only come as braille display units, though,
> which makes them expensive.  But the braille is beautiful.
>
> You don't get as much control over the Linux system as you would if it
> were your desktop machine.  They block access to some stuff to make
> support easier for them.

Re: linux notetaker

[eh51]

The ELBA is a linux-based notetaker, made by Papenmeier, and available 
from Sighted Electronics in the US.  I have been using one for about 8 
months and I like it a lot.  Like everything else Linux, it's extremely 
stable and dependable.  They only come as braille display units, though, 
which makes them expensive.  But the braille is beautiful.

You don't get as much control over the Linux system as you would if it 
were your desktop machine.  They block access to some stuff to make 
support easier for them.

Liz


On Wed, 23 Apr 2003, Angelo Sonnesso wrote:

> Does anyone know about notetakers for Linux?
> How about pocket devices?
> Thanks
> 
> 

Re: linux notetaker

[Mitchell Smith]

I guess the problem with linux based pocket devices would be.

1.  does it have standard sound hardware that could be used for flite etc.

2.  Does it have a pcmcia slot which can be used for supported hardware,
somehow I don't really like the idea of transporting around a doubletalk,
sort of takes away from the idea of a pocket device.

Speaking of which, are any pcmcia synths currently supported by speakup?  I
know my keynote one isn't.

3.  How portable is the speakup kernel patch to other architectures, as I am
assuming that most linux based pocket devices wouldn't be i386 based.

Still I think it would be interesting to look in to this, as I think the
ability to use off the shelf pocket hardware would be a huge advantage over
customized devices such as the packmate, and the pulsedata string of
products.


----- Original Message -----
From: "David Poehlman" <poehlman1@comcast.net>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 12:03 AM
Subject: Re: linux notetaker


> well, there is the elba from:
> http://www.sighted.com
> it is a linux box.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Angelo Sonnesso" <asonnesso@gemdayservices.org>
> To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 9:21 AM
> Subject: linux notetaker
>
>
> Does anyone know about notetakers for Linux?
> How about pocket devices?
> Thanks
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: linux notetaker

[Doug]

If it's 386 it should work, provided it has enough RAM.
How much RAM does it have? You may need to use of the
the lowmem kernels ...

 > Would Linux work on a David386? It is a standard 386
 > laptop with an 80 MB harddrive with a Braille display
 > and Braille keyboard.

Re: linux notetaker

[David Poehlman]

well, there is the elba from:
http://www.sighted.com
it is a linux box.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Angelo Sonnesso" <asonnesso@gemdayservices.org>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 9:21 AM
Subject: linux notetaker


Does anyone know about notetakers for Linux?
How about pocket devices?
Thanks

linux notetaker

[Angelo Sonnesso]

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Does anyone know about notetakers for Linux?
How about pocket devices?
Thanks


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