[Blackpool] Mark's project suggestions

[Michael Rimicans]

Once I get around to it, I will post a guide on the Xbox hacking lark.

Currently have two:

     One running XBMC under the telly
     One running Xebian which will shortly become a file-server

Unfortunately, due to various things by Microsoft, you cannot just 
install any old distro onto it

Changing the hardrive depends on if you have changed the BIOS.
If you have then you can change the hardrive by just swapping it and 
formatting the thing. If not then it is a little bit more difficult but 
not too hard.

The Xbox does actually have 4 usb (1.1) connectors, Its just that 
Microsoft decided to change the physical connection. There is nothing to 
stop you from soldering a normal USB socket onto the board or using a 
xbox to usb adaptor.

Also this can link into the monitoring project.

On 22/02/11 12:37, M Hewitt wrote:
> Hi Les -
>
> That should keep us busy for a while.
>
> I will take on the Arduino stuff, I have the development board and cross
> compiler toolchain setup, for use in command line mode.
>
> I also have the eclipse IDE setup with the AVR plugin for later more
> advanced stuff. (The AVR is the Atmel RISC chip on the Arduino.)
>
> So that is one topic sorted, are there any volunteers to tackle any of the
> other suggestions???
>
>   Mike
>
> On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 7:53 PM, Les Pounder<lespounder at gmail.com>  wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone
>>
>> Mark suggested a few projects for the LUG, and I said that I would post
>> them...which I haven't done yet!!!
>>
>> So here are Mark's excellent suggestions for projects, please feel free to
>> comment, and add to as you wish.
>>
>> I like the media PC, and the emulators, as I love video games.
>>
>> Les
>>
>> Linux projects
>>
>>
>>    1. Media box
>>
>>
>>
>> Front end graphical interface for non Linux users (no menus)
>>
>>    - Plays – All video formats
>>             - Plays – All audio formats
>>             - Plays – ISO files
>>             - Plays – PDF files and other text files
>>
>>
>>
>> Areas to learn from
>>
>>    - Creating an interface that doesn’t look like a Linux/windows desktop,
>>    just pictures/icons
>>    - Learning how to get files to work by using the CLI/scripting
>>       - Work out additional modes of control via things like touch screen,
>>             remote control, mobile phone (via Bluetooth etc)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    1. Emulator box
>>
>>
>>
>> Front end graphical interface for non Linux users (no menus)
>>
>>    - Plays – arcade games
>>          - Plays – pre – 8 bit computer software
>>          - Plays – home 8, 16 bits computers software
>>          - Plays – 8, 16, 32 bit games console software
>>
>>
>>
>> Areas to learn from
>>
>>    - Creating an interface that doesn’t look like a Linux/windows desktop,
>>       just pictures
>>       - Learning how to get files to work by using the CLI/scripting
>>       - Creating input devices, arcade sticks (maybe converting USB pads
>>       into them), arcade track balls, dual arcade sticks
>>       - Creating interfaces to connect old computer/console peripherals to
>>       work with the emulation box…hard drives, floppy drives etc
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    1. Server
>>
>>
>>
>> Areas to learn from
>>
>>    - Setting up firewalls
>>    - Setting up file encryptions
>>    - Strong password systems
>>    - Software / data monitoring on the server
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    1. Linux on hacked hardware
>>
>>
>>
>> Areas to learn from
>>
>>    - Take something like an original Xbox and hacking it so it runs Linux
>>    - Getting USB connections on it (would probably involve soldering etc)
>>    - Change to larger hard drive
>>    - Make it a media / emulator box
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    1. Monitoring station
>>
>>
>>
>>    - Multi-camera observation suite
>>    - Temperature monitoring and cooling/heating system e.g. green house
>>    - Smart house
>>
>>
>>
>> Areas to learn from
>>
>>    - Usage and file/data storage
>>    - Scheduling system
>>    - Achieving storage
>>    - Setting up
>>    - Creating interfaces to external peripherals
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    1. Robots or external devices programmed/controlling though Linux
>>
>>
>>
>>    - Programming an Arduino board etc
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