On 04/16/12 08:42, Ed W wrote:
> On 14/04/2012 19:34, wireless wrote:
>> So, I'm looking at options to build/hack a
>> GPS device, combined with some sort of
>> embedded gentoo friendly Tablet.
>>
>>
>> I'm thinking of multiple channels
>> of audio output so it is a 5.1 mp3 player too,
>> for a boat or a RV or an car. Mobile so it can
>> be moved between vehicles with a quick connect
>> to sensors and speakers.
>
> Nokia N900 or new N9 (I have an N9, but the N900 probably has more
> hackers around it and cheaper second hand items)
>
> Build something around a gumstix - not that cheap, but I think they have
> all the bits ready to plug together. Probably low enough power you could
> battery power it
>
> Very easy to hack is a PC Engines Alix + laptop screen. (In some ways
> that's called a 1 laptop per child I guess.... Add that to the list)
>

Great ideas.

> Good luck finding a Gentoo friendly tablet? I would be interested if you
> find something?

First generation, I thinking Arm9, maybe a pandaboards with some LED 
screen mounted together with 2" nylon standoffs. That way, when
I figure out how to add a board that receives and processes signals
from the depth finder, I can use 12 or 14 bit AD to input into
the panda board.

I may also rig a temperature sensor to the boat hull, or via a tether.

What concerns me about openstreetmap, is I had envisioned a system where
the database is downloaded to the operator's embedded system depending
on the anticipated area of local/regional travel, thus not having to
depend on constant/reliable internet access.

Sort of a GPS/nautical navigation system, under the control of the
operator. I'm still learning about openstreetmap so I have moved those
issues (as suggested by our Mike) to that forum, for now.

 From my initial research so far, nothing exist for a marine
environment, so I'll most like roll-it, including some epoxy
coatings and daughter board on the first-gen effort.

My reason for using this list, is to flush out any gentoo-ish
common ground or any hardware suggestions; not an expose
on openstreetmap....

> Good luck
> Ed W

It's liable to be a few months to cmplete this research, but,
I'll post back, or drop you some private email, if you are the
only one interested in what I learn.


James