1) It should be small. Maybe with its own custom case, no bigger than a notebook PC. 2) It should be able to connect to a TV - UHF, SCART, and whatever other common TV inputs are in use. 3) Fanless. 4) Battery operation possible - internal rechargeable, or external 12vdc unregulated.
I could probably think of some more but have to go for my train. Have a nice weekend. Ian. >-----Original Message----- >From: Dave P [mailto:dexter@;spodmail.com] >Sent: 25 October 2002 18:58 >To: QL Users >Subject: [ql-users] Hardware platforms > > > > >Hi all, > >Here I am, stirring up controversy again... > >In my *humble* opinion, most QLs are at end of life. Many of their >capacitors are dry, membranes are problematic, and they're expanded in >many and various ways... I don't think there are two expanded >QLs that are >the same. Different HD formats, different OS versions... I >think if people >were to upgrade their machines to a common spec, it would be >ludicrously >expensive. > >We all know Nasta's been working on Goldfire for an age and a half, and >that the Q60 is available if you've got the money. We also >know that QLs >aren't about performance, or we'd all be doing soemthing else... :o) > >So, the room (still!) exists for a low cost platform to run >SMSQ/E. By low >cost I mean under 200 ukp. This should include all the basic interfaces >one would expect. Mouse and keyboard, IDE, floppy, CF, memory expansion >possibilities, video output, etc. > >I've previously touted the ARM7500FE and their equivalents as >possibilities for a low cost platform, running linux and uQLx. I still >think this is a really great way to go, if raw speed isn't an issue. > >Also, there are similarly embedded Coldfire processors, and >now the source >for SMSQ/E exists, it's feasable to make them worthwhile. > >I've decided piecemeal patches and fixes and add-ons are not >in the best >interest of the community, in my opinion. They allow people to carry on >using the same old things, and they're excuses to not move forward. But >then when you say that, a separate crowd digs their heals in >and doesn't >want to move forward. They like the exact look and feel they >have now, and >don't feel inclined to change, thankyouverymuch! (Yet these same people >pay hand over fist to maintain their existing systems!) > >So what are the chances that we could sit around this virtual table and >throw out some ideas for a primarily "low cost" platform, of >the type that >would be cheap and easy to assemble, use standard components as much as >possible, needn't be elegant but must be reliable and have other QL >qoalities (low power, no noise, very easy to use, cute black case ;) > >What's out there? > >Nasta, what do you need to get GF finished and out there? > >Dave > > > Visit our website at http://www.ubswarburg.com This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message which arise as a result of e-mail transmission. If verification is required please request a hard-copy version. This message is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments.
