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[squeak-dev] Computer on a stick

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Gary Dunn

[squeak-dev] Computer on a stick

On Sun, 2 Aug 2009 10:46:52 K. K. Subramaniam wrote:

> Hi,
>
> It has been a long time since we had a thread on Dynabook vision and Squeak
> hardware, so I thought I will revive it again with a new twist.
>
> We normally think of computer as a big machine into which we stick in
> Etoys2Go sticks to work. Why not reverse the design? How about a Etoys
> console into which we stick a computer strip like gumstix? If an object
> was conceived as a composable computer why not push it all the way down and
> *out*?
>
> Build a dumb machine with storage and console into which we stick a
> cartridge containing processor(s), memory and network. For a student, the
> most precious records are in storage and the look-n-feel is in the console
> (keyboard,video,mouse or trackpad). Digital data has a much longer life
> than a processor, RAM or network technology. The specific instruction set,
> memory or networking technology is increasingly irrelevant for personal
> computing needs. One does not have to change their whole console just to
> get to upgrade processor, RAM or wifi. We can get off the forced upgrade
> treadmill.
>
> Are there any consoles that work like this?
>
> Subbu

What you describe is not so far off from the central hardware piece of the Open Slate Project. Back when I started OSP, computers were relegated to labs and consumed all available desk space. Being an avid Newton fan I wanted every student to carry around a Message Pad type device which they could use in every class. This evolved into a self-made slate PC with FOSS OS. Lately my thinking is to make Squeak the UI.

The difference between your concept and mine is that an OSP slate will have a display and pen interface. It too can be expanded using USB keyboard and mouse, and large monitor.
--
Gary Dunn, Honolulu
[hidden email]
http://openslate.net/
http://e9erust.blogspot.com/
Sent from a Newton 2100 via Mail V

K. K. Subramaniam

Re: [squeak-dev] Computer on a stick

On Tuesday 04 Aug 2009 4:07:00 am Gary Dunn wrote:
> The difference between your concept and mine is that an OSP slate will have
> a display and pen interface. It too can be expanded using USB keyboard and
> mouse, and large monitor.
I was trying to project into the future (i.e. what is possible) rather than
extend from the past. Console technology (display, keypad, pointer) have
stabilized to a level that is acceptable to the masses - like a steering wheel
in a car. Processors, Memory and Connectivitiy (wifi, wibro, bluetooth), the
latent elves, continue to evolve rapidly and will take some more years to
stabilize. They don't hold consumer data. So it makes sense to factor these
out into a pluggable cartridge.

Notice that it is lot easier to get 16 people with pluggable consoles to
complete a task than to write software to get a 16-core CPU to do the same.

Subbu

Gary Dunn

Re: [squeak-dev] Computer on a stick

On Tue, 2009-08-04 at 08:33 +0530, K. K. Subramaniam wrote:

> On Tuesday 04 Aug 2009 4:07:00 am Gary Dunn wrote:
> > The difference between your concept and mine is that an OSP slate will have
> > a display and pen interface. It too can be expanded using USB keyboard and
> > mouse, and large monitor.
> I was trying to project into the future (i.e. what is possible) rather than
> extend from the past. Console technology (display, keypad, pointer) have
> stabilized to a level that is acceptable to the masses - like a steering wheel
> in a car. Processors, Memory and Connectivitiy (wifi, wibro, bluetooth), the
> latent elves, continue to evolve rapidly and will take some more years to
> stabilize. They don't hold consumer data. So it makes sense to factor these
> out into a pluggable cartridge.

Sounds like a laptop and a docking station, minus display and keyboard.
Not so far from an Apple Mac mini. Do you envision a battery to keep it
running, or a cold boot every time? I want what my Newton does, turn it
on and Bam! it's ready to use. ACPI S3 sleep mode just isn't the same.
Even S1, because if the Newton's batteries go dead, nothing is lost. At
least the later models, like my 2100.

>
> Notice that it is lot easier to get 16 people with pluggable consoles to
> complete a task than to write software to get a 16-core CPU to do the same.

Are you familiar with the phrase "Like herding cats?" :-)

--
Gary Dunn, Honolulu
[hidden email]
http://openslate.net/
http://e9erust.blogspot.com/
Sent from Slate001

K. K. Subramaniam

Re: [squeak-dev] Computer on a stick

On Tuesday 04 Aug 2009 3:54:59 pm Gary Dunn wrote:
> On Tue, 2009-08-04 at 08:33 +0530, K. K. Subramaniam wrote:
> > On Tuesday 04 Aug 2009 4:07:00 am Gary Dunn wrote:
> Sounds like a laptop and a docking station, minus display and keyboard.
> Not so far from an Apple Mac mini.
I was thinking more along the lines of "smartbook" except that the "book" is
not smart at all. I am not convinced that pens are useful as a primary device
for input for general purpose computing. It is very tiring.

If the processor unit is swappable then I can choose one (or even rent one)
which is most appropriate for my current needs. I can plugin a Cortex SoC
while watching movies and then switch to Gumstix for clearing my email.

I have been carrying Etoys on a stick for more than two years now plugging it
into Linux, Mac and Wintel boxes and even into a ARM-based handheld. Others
find it hard to believe that I can switch so easily across diverse machines and
instruction sets. There is enough value in the bag of bits that it is worth
slapping a console on it.

Subbu