[SWLUG] Breadboarding Linux systems?

[Chris King]

On Thu, December 31, 2009 22:39, Neil Jones wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>
> I have been googling around for a while over the last few days but I
> have failed to find something which really must exist.
>
> Someone somewhere must be experimenting with designing their own simple
> linux computers.
>
> The  idea in my head is for something with a processor, some ram, some
> flash ram, an ethernet port and
> some USB  ports. THe flash ram would be used primarily like the CD in a
> knoppix like system.
> It would probably be best to use one of the ARM processors because they
> are low power.
>
> Basically this creates a cut down computer which can be networked and
> therefore controlled
> from a bigger machine. There are many many uses I can think of.
> robotics, webcams looking at birdfeeders.
> control systems for a greenhouse, security systems , heating systems. In
> short anything that you could do with a computer.
> Any extra circuits could use the USB interface, which means they could
> be developed on a bigger computer first.
>
> I would be looking to create this on something like a breadboard first
> and I am looking around with no luck.
> Surely surely someone must be into building their own stuff like this
> but I have so far failed to find anyhting like it.
> There are a few boards you can buy ready made, but half of the fun is
> learning how to do it.
>
> So please does anyone know of anywhere on the web that talks about
> breadboarding your own single board computer.
>
> Neil Jones
> neil at nwjones.demon.co.uk

Neil

I see Carwyn's beaten me to the punch with Arduino, but you can do a lot
with the good old Linksys NSLU2 NAS server - they're ARM-based, but you
can make these things run Debian and with a bit of careful soldering, you
can expand the memory, add serial ports, infra-red transmitters/receivers,
and more:

http://www.nslu2-linux.org/

One of my colleagues uses NSLU2's with the Unslung firmware to run mini
web servers, DNS and even had Squid running on one - but Squid in 32Mb of
RAM is a seriously sick thing to try ! He's even had them running off
batteries that are charged by a solar panel on his roof - how many people
can say they've got a solar-powered web server at home ?

Chris

-- 
Chris King
http://www.csking.co.uk/