Difference between revisions of "Archives/Shop 3.0/Slodac"

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{{:Archives/Archival_Notice}}
  
 
{{Project|Creator=ctag
 
{{Project|Creator=ctag
−
|Status=<onlyinclude> Scheming </onlyinclude>                                <!--LEAVE ONLYINCLUDES FOR STATUS HACK-->  
+
|Status=<onlyinclude> Defunct </onlyinclude>                                <!--LEAVE ONLYINCLUDES FOR STATUS HACK-->  
 
|Born On=12:20, 18 January 2014 (CST)                                                                  <!--DO NOT EDIT -->
 
|Born On=12:20, 18 January 2014 (CST)                                                                  <!--DO NOT EDIT -->
 
|Last Updated={{#time: H:i, d F Y| {{REVISIONTIMESTAMP}} }} (CDT)              <!--DO NOT EDIT -->
 
|Last Updated={{#time: H:i, d F Y| {{REVISIONTIMESTAMP}} }} (CDT)              <!--DO NOT EDIT -->
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
<!--MAKE AS MANY CATEGORIES AS YOU NEED-->
 +
[[Category:Embedded Devices]]
 +
[[Category:DIY]]
 +
[[Category:Hardware]]
 +
[[Category:Laptops]]
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
−
[[Category:ctag.laptop]]                                                  <!--MAKE AS MANY CATEGORIES AS YOU NEED-->
 
  
−
BARC stands for either "Basic Application Rechargeable Computer" ''or'' "Basically Awesome Rechargeable Computer". I'll decide later. Heck, I might not even name it, I'm sick of HSV and its acronyms :P
+
** THIS PROJECT IS ON ICE **
 +
Everything below is left as it was when I walked away with hurt feeling over Linux on ARM and SD cards as hard drives.
  
−
This is a pet project of ctag's to create a laptop after he was bitten by the venomous "[http://www.kosagi.com/w/index.php?title=Novena_Main_Page Novena Bug]". The laptop will have the following features/requirements/goals:
+
[[File:Slodac logo 1.png|framed|right|x400px|A proposed logo for Slodac. Based on the principle of "open design" as related to open source software and hardware logos.]]
  
−
* Linux. Linux linux linux. Oh, and maybe FreeBSD too. No Android, because it kinda sucks right now.
+
[[File:Slodac a5 1.jpg|framed|right|x400px|Image of most current design.]]
  
−
* As open (as in Richard Stallman drinking a GPL-licensed beer) as possible without being expensive. Both in the hardware and software realms.
+
Hi, I'm [[User:Ctag|Christopher "ctag" Bero]]. This is a wiki page devoted to my freetime project: SLODAC, a small open source laptop design. Also temporally known as Future Gadget #1030.
  
−
* Capable of writing C, C++, JAVA on some scale. Must be somewhat better than an Chromebook in this regard, I want a compiler not a frikken notepad.
+
This endeavor emerged mid-January 2014 after ctag became enamored by the "[http://www.kosagi.com/w/index.php?title=Novena_Main_Page Novena Project]". The slodac laptop will have the following features/requirements/goals:
  
−
* Robust. Drop-able.. Or not, I'm a cop not a gravitational physicist.
+
* Linux. (Still on track! Archlinux-Arm is quite straightforward to install and use, although bugs (user or otherwise) have plagued my experience. Debian-Arm is still being investigated, but it looks promising.)
  
−
* Small and lightweight.. Or not.
+
* As open/libre/floss as possible without being expensive. (This has somewhat been blown away, I've wasted much more money than is sensible on the various dysfunctional parts as I experiment with configurations, however I still hope to keep the final device under one grand.)
  
−
* Yeah, idk yet. Leaving room here for future aspirations, like neon underglow :D
+
* Capable of writing C, C++, JAVA on some small scale. (Kinda goes with the Linux territory. This is more to prove my point that the laptop may never be intended to do fancy things like play video.)
  
−
=== How ===
+
* Robust. (Currently on track, project is housed in a Pelican Case, and effort is being made to secure the components in a manner that can withstand some abuse.)
  
−
I plan for this to be a very singular project in which I order the parts and sit in my basement and swear until they form a working computer. Let me know if that sounds like fun.
+
* Small or lightweight. (Or neither as luck would have it. Current project is.. hefty '''and''' combersome.)
  
−
=== When ===
+
=== Name ===
  
−
This semester. Hopefully before the Novena laptops become available (it's a race).
+
The project is currently named "SLODAC" for "Somewhat Libre; Open Design; Accessible Components"
  
−
== The Details ==
+
Additionally, if I get some help with this and fix the closed pieces, then I can seamlessly change the name to reflect "Slow; Libre;..." ;)
  
−
=== Hardware BOM ===
+
=== How ===
  
−
* A SoC board
+
My goal is to, when convenient and possible, use off the shelf parts with custom connecting and managing hardware in a robust case.
  
−
* [http://www.chalk-elec.com/?page_id=1280#!/~/product/category=3094846&id=7703686 A screen]
+
=== When ===
−
** The screen should be available around the end of February. [http://www.chalk-elec.com/?p=1859 Link to company post]
+
  
−
* A USB battery (Dude! or a [http://www.horizonfuelcellstore.com/us/minipak.html hydrogen fuel cell])
+
This semester. Hopefully before the Novena laptops become available (it's a race). Update 4/10/2014: I lost, novena is for sale :D
  
−
* Wireless mouse/keyboard
+
Updated July 2014: My new timeline involves getting most of the final parts this summer, and finalizing a design to publish and use for school during the Fall 2014 semester.
  
−
* Wireless dongle (maybe)
+
Updated August 2014: Damn the torpedoes, a member of Makers Local has lent me a nice laptop to use for schoolwork; I shall now tackle the issues regarding battery power and return to (yet again) redesign the internal mounting hardware for the Pelican Case. I beg to be finished by January 2015.
  
−
* USB hub (maybe)
+
== You can help! ==
  
−
* Wall power dongle
+
Hey, I could really use your assistance with this project. I'm still fumbling around with making parts play nice together, but I'll do my best to keep this page updated. If you have any comments/concerns/questions/salutations to send me, contact methods are listed on my [[User:Ctag|Wiki Profile]]. Additionally, you may be able to reach me on Freenode's #makerslocal channel.
  
−
* USB "parts" for power
+
What I need from you:
 +
* Links to articles that I can place under the "Why it matters" section. There are reasons for choosing a libre, underpowered laptop over a nice ultrabook; please help me find sources for these reasons.
 +
* Technical reviews. If you know of a part I seem to overlook, please let me know about it.
 +
* Please let me know if you have any intention of copying all or part of this project. Hearing from anyone about using my work will greatly motivate me to make what I write as polished and utilitarian as possible.
  
−
=== Break-it-down ===
+
== Build Logs ==
  
−
I'm looking at this as a $500 project. $150 for the board, $150 for the screen, and a bit for the peices, sounds good.
+
[[Slodac/Case_b1]] - Build instructions for the B1 case!
  
−
Boards Available:
+
== The Details ==
  
−
* BeagleBoard-xM - $150
+
[[Slodac/archive]] - Archive page for the project.
−
** [http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBoard-xM http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBoard-xM]
+
 
−
** Power: 5V - "moderate"
+
=== Raw Comparison To Novena ===
−
** 4 USB ports, 3d graphics, 512Mb RAM
+
 
 +
From the [http://www.kosagi.com/w/index.php?title=Novena_Main_Page#Hardware Novena Wiki] page:
 +
* Freescale iMX6 CPU — same footprint can support dual-lite and quad versions:
 +
* Quad-core Cortex A9 CPU with NEON FPU @ 1.2 GHz
 +
* Vivante GC2000 OpenGL ES2.0 GPU, 200Mtri/s, 1Gpix/s
 +
* NDA-free datasheet and programming manual
 +
 
 +
From the official [http://wandboard.org/index.php/about Wandboard site]:
 +
* Freescale i.MX6 Quad
 +
* Cortex-A9 Quad core
 +
* Vivante GC 2000 + Vivante GC 355 + Vivante GC 320
  
−
* BeagleBoneBlack - $50
+
Keep in mind that the Novena was put together by people who know what they're doing. I was lucky to get an X screen running.
−
** [http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone%20Black http://beagleboard.org/Products/BeagleBone%20Black]
+
−
** Power: 5V - "USB" ~ 600mA
+
−
** Has HDMI, only 1 USB, 512MB RAM
+
  
−
* Raspberry Pi - $35
+
I learned that only the pre-baked Ubuntu image supports gpu acceleration on the WB and the WB-quad does not support USB 3.0. So we move forward with the hopes that Novena's open video driver comes through and that USB 2.0 is sufficient.
−
** [http://www.newark.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-modb-512m/model-b-assembled-board-only/dp/43W5302?COM=raspi-group http://www.newark.com/raspberry-pi/raspbrry-modb-512m/model-b-assembled-board-only/dp/43W5302?COM=raspi-group]
+
−
** Power: 5V - "USB" ~ 700-800mA
+
−
** HDMI, 512MB RAM, 2 USB
+
  
−
* CubieTruck - $100
+
== Current Hardware ==
−
** [https://store.iotllc.com/product.php?productid=38&cat=0&featured=Y https://store.iotllc.com/product.php?productid=38&cat=0&featured=Y]
+
−
** Power: 5V - 2.5A
+
−
** SATA, Gigabit, wireless, 2G RAM, HDMI, 2 USB
+
  
−
* UDOO - $140
+
=== Board ===
−
** [http://shop.udoo.org/usa/?___from_store=usa&popup=no http://shop.udoo.org/usa/?___from_store=usa&popup=no]
+
−
** Power: 12V - 7A
+
−
** HDMI, has it's own screen avail., Quad Core, wireless, gigabit, sata, 2 USB
+
−
** [http://www.udoo.org/camera-and-lcd-displays-now-available/ (Also has a screen!)]
+
−
** [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqpDv1-ErUYudGNxdjBtS2RKY2sxOTROV2JLRkJCNlE&usp#gid=0 Link to UDOO power consumption chart]
+
−
** Somewhat disqualified. I ''can'' step up 5V to 12V, but would rather not.
+
  
−
* WandBoard - $130
+
* '''WandBoard - $130'''
 
** [http://www.wandboard.org/ http://www.wandboard.org/]
 
** [http://www.wandboard.org/ http://www.wandboard.org/]
 
** Power: 5V - 2A
 
** Power: 5V - 2A
Line 96: Line 100:
 
** [http://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv7/freescale/wandboard Wandboard Archlinux Page]
 
** [http://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv7/freescale/wandboard Wandboard Archlinux Page]
  
−
=== So, look at this ===
+
=== Screen ===
  
−
From the Novena Wiki page:
+
* '''Pixel Qi display''' - [http://www.adafruit.com/products/1303#Technical_Details http://www.adafruit.com/products/1303#Technical_Details]
−
Novena Features:
+
** 10" - 1024x600 - $300
−
* Freescale iMX6 CPU — same footprint can support dual-lite and quad versions:
+
** 5V - 775mA
−
* Quad-core Cortex A9 CPU with NEON FPU @ 1.2 GHz
+
** Can be used in daylight, and can revert to grayscale.
−
* Vivante GC2000 OpenGL ES2.0 GPU, 200Mtri/s, 1Gpix/s
+
* Chalkboard Electronics HDMI converter. Smaller footprint, possibly less power draw than Adafruit's adapter.
−
* NDA-free datasheet and programming manual
+
  
−
The Wandboard:
+
==== Battery ====
−
* Freescale i.MX6 Quad
+
−
* Cortex-A9 Quad core
+
−
* Vivante GC 2000 + Vivante GC 355 + Vivante GC 320
+
  
−
Looks promising :D
+
This is a pretty tricky one, and the next Slodac version (B3.1 or B3.2, which I intend to publish as a revision unit) will have a custom battery circuit. Since starting on this project, I've doggedly pursued the use of cellphone chargers as the battery source for my slodac laptop; it made sense to use a commonly available 5V source with my 5V SSD, 5V screen, and 5V motherboard. The issue is that almost all cellphone chargers lie to you, and provide less than five volts (and usually even less than 4.75 volts, the minimum USB compliant voltage). This makes them strictly too unreliable, and I've invested over $100 among three batteries to come to such a conclusion. The next slodac build will include several parallel Li-Po batteries with a converter, voltage monitor, and charger.
  
−
=== General Hardware Idea Revise Laterz ===
+
==== Mouse ====
  
−
In a perfect world, I would incorporate power regulation into the 'computer' (computer being the beagleboard mounted behind the screen and not much else). I would also create some fancy USB wires which would let me swap out between different USB power sources without shutting down. So, what this would mean is that I could own several cellphone USB chargers, and only carry as many as I feel necessary for that day. If I run low on power, I'll be able to find a wall outlet and plug in a cellphone USB charger there, or plug into one of the university's computers or whatever. This appeals to me as the most versatile system, as I can charge the laptop battery pack at the same time that the laptop is plugged into the wall, and I can swap out packs at my office if I need to. This will, of course, require some actual planning and thought, and I'll need to get good numbers on the power usage of the components I'm looking at.
+
I'm using a Logitech jocky, it's cheap and finicky. I'm considering deletion of this section.
  
−
==== Option #1 - Reuse old screen ====
+
==== Keyboard ====
  
−
In my first (and probably cheapest) option, I will reuse an old LVDS screen with the BeagleBoard-xM.
+
* $30 [http://www.amazon.com/Aerb-IBK-03-Folding-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B00EZL1GH6/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1390415682&sr=8-13&keywords=folding+keyboard Aerb Portable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard]
  
−
Specs:
+
* $35 [http://www.amazon.com/Perixx-PERIBOARD-805L-Bluetooth-Folding-Keyboard/dp/B00BU4OV50/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390415682&sr=8-2&keywords=folding+keyboard Perixx PERIBOARD-805L, Bluetooth Folding Keyboard]
  
−
* BeagleBoard-xM - So 1Ghz cpu, 512Mb ram, swanky graphics, and open-source-d. - $150
+
* $160 [http://www.amazon.com/Noppoo-wireless-keyboard-Mechanical-Dual-mode/dp/B00FVTQ1S0 http://www.amazon.com/Noppoo-wireless-keyboard-Mechanical-Dual-mode/dp/B00FVTQ1S0]
  
−
* Screen - 7", prob 800x600 - FREE-AH
+
==== ETC ====
  
−
* Converter for screen - idk, something like [http://www.chalk-elec.com/?page_id=1280#!/~/product/category=3094861&id=14647633 this]? - $40
+
== Software ==
  
−
* Generic USB battery pack - 10-15Ah - $50-100
+
=== Archlinux ARM ===
  
−
Semi-total cost - $300
+
Right now the laptop primarily runs [http://archlinuxarm.org/ ArchLinuxArm].
  
−
Having that old screen from my EEEpc working again - priceless
+
=== Debian ARM ===
  
−
I'm pretty excited about this, even though it's the lowest-performing option. Anyway, lemme try to get some details:
+
Debian is installed via EEwiki's page: [http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/Wandboard http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/Wandboard]
  
−
==== Option #2 - Build with BB-xM from ground up ====
+
There are a few adjustments to be made to the installation process, but I am yet not confident enough to suggest them. For now, the adjustments will be kept here until I know what I'm doing.
  
 +
To get systemd working, I had to change the uEnv.txt init line. Also, I had to install systemd-sysv, which also uninstalls the defaulted init program. Only then does systemd appear to run successfully on boot.
  
−
==== Option #3 - Build with UDOO from ground up ====
+
uEnv.txt items:
 +
<pre>
 +
dtb=imx6q-wandboard.dtb
 +
#uname_r=[kernel]
 +
#cmdline=quiet
 +
init=/bin/systemd
 +
video=HDMI-A-1:1024x600@60e
 +
</pre>
 +
 
 +
=== Adjustments for the Pixel Qi ===
 +
 
 +
The Pixel-Qi screen works much better with high contrast involving a white background with black text. This requires some manual tweaks to make Arch+i3wm as suitable as possible.
 +
 
 +
To adjust TTY, set 'setterm -clear all -background white -foreground black -bold -store' in inittab.
 +
 
 +
Further reading for future edits: [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=108613 https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=108613].
 +
 
 +
== Images ==
 +
 
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Slodac FirstWorkingUnit.jpg|First shell cut blind (no .svg)
 +
File:Slodac a3 1.jpeg|Revised plywood shell
 +
File:Slodac a4 1.jpg|Pelican Case shell (under consideration/development)
 +
File:Slodac a5 1.jpg| Stained plywood in pelican case
 +
</gallery>
  
 
== External Resources ==
 
== External Resources ==
 +
 +
=== Technical links ===
 +
 +
* [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=108613 https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=108613]
 +
 +
* [http://hackaday.io/project/1636-SLODAC http://hackaday.io/project/1636-SLODAC] - Slodac is now also on Hackaday.io.
 +
 +
* [http://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv7/freescale/wandboard http://archlinuxarm.org/platforms/armv7/freescale/wandboard] - ArchlinuxArm page for Wandboard.
 +
 +
* [https://github.com/archlinuxarm/PKGBUILDs https://github.com/archlinuxarm/PKGBUILDs] - Official packages for ArchlinuxArm.
 +
 +
* [http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/Wandboard http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/Wandboard] - A very helpful wiki page for wandboard Linux installation created by Digikey.
 +
 +
* [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wandboard https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/wandboard] - The official Wandboard Google group forum.
 +
 +
* [http://blog.lemoneerlabs.com/post/wandboard-wifi http://blog.lemoneerlabs.com/post/wandboard-wifi] - Lemoneerlabs blog post for enabling the wireless on >3.11 kernels.
 +
 +
* [https://www.project-insanity.org/blog/2014/02/05/bluetooth-on-the-wandboard-bcm4329/ https://www.project-insanity.org/blog/2014/02/05/bluetooth-on-the-wandboard-bcm4329/] - Project-Insanity blog post on enabling bluetooth on >3.11 kernels. Has not worked for me.
  
 
* [http://www.riscos.info/index.php/BeagleBoard-based_Laptop http://www.riscos.info/index.php/BeagleBoard-based_Laptop] - A sad, lonely wiki page about my project from before my project :(
 
* [http://www.riscos.info/index.php/BeagleBoard-based_Laptop http://www.riscos.info/index.php/BeagleBoard-based_Laptop] - A sad, lonely wiki page about my project from before my project :(
 +
 +
=== Why does it matter? ===
 +
 +
* Because of kill-switches installed without consent or permission.
 +
**[http://thehackernews.com/2014/06/intel-developing-rfid-tracking-and.html http://thehackernews.com/2014/06/intel-developing-rfid-tracking-and.html]
 +
 +
*Because of invasive surveillance.
 +
**[https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/03/new-nsa-slides-reveal-tailored-access-run-amok https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/03/new-nsa-slides-reveal-taiored-access-run-amok] (Note: Slodac likely won't be much help against TAO)
 +
** [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSA_ANT_catalog#Capabilities_list http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSA_ANT_catalog#Capabilities_list]

Latest revision as of 14:51, 23 January 2017

Archival Notice
This page is archived and may not be up to date.

Creator:
ctag
Status:
Defunct
Born On:
12:20, 18 January 2014 (CST)
Last Updated:
14:51, 23 January 2017 (CDT)

Overview

    • THIS PROJECT IS ON ICE **

Everything below is left as it was when I walked away with hurt feeling over Linux on ARM and SD cards as hard drives.

A proposed logo for Slodac. Based on the principle of "open design" as related to open source software and hardware logos.
Image of most current design.

Hi, I'm Christopher "ctag" Bero. This is a wiki page devoted to my freetime project: SLODAC, a small open source laptop design. Also temporally known as Future Gadget #1030.

This endeavor emerged mid-January 2014 after ctag became enamored by the "Novena Project". The slodac laptop will have the following features/requirements/goals:

  • Linux. (Still on track! Archlinux-Arm is quite straightforward to install and use, although bugs (user or otherwise) have plagued my experience. Debian-Arm is still being investigated, but it looks promising.)
  • As open/libre/floss as possible without being expensive. (This has somewhat been blown away, I've wasted much more money than is sensible on the various dysfunctional parts as I experiment with configurations, however I still hope to keep the final device under one grand.)
  • Capable of writing C, C++, JAVA on some small scale. (Kinda goes with the Linux territory. This is more to prove my point that the laptop may never be intended to do fancy things like play video.)
  • Robust. (Currently on track, project is housed in a Pelican Case, and effort is being made to secure the components in a manner that can withstand some abuse.)
  • Small or lightweight. (Or neither as luck would have it. Current project is.. hefty and combersome.)

Name

The project is currently named "SLODAC" for "Somewhat Libre; Open Design; Accessible Components"

Additionally, if I get some help with this and fix the closed pieces, then I can seamlessly change the name to reflect "Slow; Libre;..." ;)

How

My goal is to, when convenient and possible, use off the shelf parts with custom connecting and managing hardware in a robust case.

When

This semester. Hopefully before the Novena laptops become available (it's a race). Update 4/10/2014: I lost, novena is for sale :D

Updated July 2014: My new timeline involves getting most of the final parts this summer, and finalizing a design to publish and use for school during the Fall 2014 semester.

Updated August 2014: Damn the torpedoes, a member of Makers Local has lent me a nice laptop to use for schoolwork; I shall now tackle the issues regarding battery power and return to (yet again) redesign the internal mounting hardware for the Pelican Case. I beg to be finished by January 2015.

You can help!

Hey, I could really use your assistance with this project. I'm still fumbling around with making parts play nice together, but I'll do my best to keep this page updated. If you have any comments/concerns/questions/salutations to send me, contact methods are listed on my Wiki Profile. Additionally, you may be able to reach me on Freenode's #makerslocal channel.

What I need from you:

  • Links to articles that I can place under the "Why it matters" section. There are reasons for choosing a libre, underpowered laptop over a nice ultrabook; please help me find sources for these reasons.
  • Technical reviews. If you know of a part I seem to overlook, please let me know about it.
  • Please let me know if you have any intention of copying all or part of this project. Hearing from anyone about using my work will greatly motivate me to make what I write as polished and utilitarian as possible.

Build Logs

Slodac/Case_b1 - Build instructions for the B1 case!

The Details

Slodac/archive - Archive page for the project.

Raw Comparison To Novena

From the Novena Wiki page: 

* Freescale iMX6 CPU — same footprint can support dual-lite and quad versions:
* Quad-core Cortex A9 CPU with NEON FPU @ 1.2 GHz
* Vivante GC2000 OpenGL ES2.0 GPU, 200Mtri/s, 1Gpix/s
* NDA-free datasheet and programming manual

From the official Wandboard site: 

* Freescale i.MX6 Quad
* Cortex-A9 Quad core
* Vivante GC 2000 + Vivante GC 355 + Vivante GC 320

Keep in mind that the Novena was put together by people who know what they're doing. I was lucky to get an X screen running.

I learned that only the pre-baked Ubuntu image supports gpu acceleration on the WB and the WB-quad does not support USB 3.0. So we move forward with the hopes that Novena's open video driver comes through and that USB 2.0 is sufficient.

Current Hardware

Board

Screen

Battery

This is a pretty tricky one, and the next Slodac version (B3.1 or B3.2, which I intend to publish as a revision unit) will have a custom battery circuit. Since starting on this project, I've doggedly pursued the use of cellphone chargers as the battery source for my slodac laptop; it made sense to use a commonly available 5V source with my 5V SSD, 5V screen, and 5V motherboard. The issue is that almost all cellphone chargers lie to you, and provide less than five volts (and usually even less than 4.75 volts, the minimum USB compliant voltage). This makes them strictly too unreliable, and I've invested over $100 among three batteries to come to such a conclusion. The next slodac build will include several parallel Li-Po batteries with a converter, voltage monitor, and charger.

Mouse

I'm using a Logitech jocky, it's cheap and finicky. I'm considering deletion of this section.

Keyboard

ETC

Software

Archlinux ARM

Right now the laptop primarily runs ArchLinuxArm.

Debian ARM

Debian is installed via EEwiki's page: http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/Wandboard

There are a few adjustments to be made to the installation process, but I am yet not confident enough to suggest them. For now, the adjustments will be kept here until I know what I'm doing.

To get systemd working, I had to change the uEnv.txt init line. Also, I had to install systemd-sysv, which also uninstalls the defaulted init program. Only then does systemd appear to run successfully on boot.

uEnv.txt items: 

dtb=imx6q-wandboard.dtb
#uname_r=[kernel]
#cmdline=quiet
init=/bin/systemd
video=HDMI-A-1:1024x600@60e

Adjustments for the Pixel Qi

The Pixel-Qi screen works much better with high contrast involving a white background with black text. This requires some manual tweaks to make Arch+i3wm as suitable as possible.

To adjust TTY, set 'setterm -clear all -background white -foreground black -bold -store' in inittab.

Further reading for future edits: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=108613.

Images

  • First shell cut blind (no .svg)

  • Revised plywood shell

  • Pelican Case shell (under consideration/development)

  • Stained plywood in pelican case

External Resources

Technical links

Why does it matter?

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