Archives/Shop 3.0/Slodac
Contents
[hide]The Basics
What
BARC stands for either "Basic Application Rechargeable Computer" or "Basically Awesome Rechargeable Computer". I'll decide later.
This is a pet project of ctag's to create a laptop after he was bitten by the venomous "Nevena Bug". The laptop will have the following features/requirements/goals:
- Linux. Linux linux linux. Oh, and maybe FreeBSD too. No Android, because it sucks.
- As open (as in Richard Stallman drinking a free beer) as possible without being expensive. Both in the hardware and software realms.
- 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 fuggin notepad.
- Robust. Drop-able. (Did he really just say that? Even when most phones are made to shatter when bumped? He must be insane)
- Small and/or lightweight. Or, you know, not.
- Yeah, idk yet. Leaving room here for future aspirations, like neon underglow.
How
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.
When
This semester. Hopefully before the Novena laptops become available (it's a race).
The Details
Hardware BOM
- A USB battery (Dude! or a hydrogen fuel cell!)
- Wireless mouse/keyboard
- Wireless dongle
- Wall power dongle
- USB "parts" for power
General Hardware Idea Revise Laterz
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.
