Various questions & ideas: Maemo porting, package management.

[michael at michaelshiloh.com]

On Thu, 8 Feb 2007, Florent THIERY wrote:

>> >  - what about package management? apt-get like mecanism? Do you
>> >  consider using mkezx ? An official binary repository?...
>>
>>  for phase 1 we will use ipkg. For phase 2 we either would like to see an
>>  sqlite backend in ipkg (because the default one is really slow) or
>>  something written from scratch. dpkg/apt is very heavy -- I'm not sure
>>  whether we can strip it down to be feasible on a smartphone.
>
> The fact is, mkezx does use dpkg/apt, and it's pretty effective (on my A780) 
> !
>
>> >  - i really think a universal infrared remote feature would be a
>> >  killer app (with integration of tv programs); domotics is a great
>> >  area, but is still very expensive; what about porting X10 control
>> >  apps to the neo? :)
>>
>>  Might make not much sense without an IR port or would it? ;)
>
> As suggested on openmoko wiki:
> - minor unexpensive hardware changes may be possible and are open to
> suggestions; an infrared led would certainly fit into this category,
> no?
> - there are hacks allowing to use the jack output to send IR signals,
> so a small cheap adapter could provide IR connectivity
>
>>  The Neo's USB port is switchable host/gadget, however host is unpowered,
>>  so you need a battery-powered hub.
>
> Hum, does a keyboard need to be powered?

Almost certainly. At the very least there is a microcontroller or other
hardware to handle the USB protocol and to do the keyboard scanning.

Unless someone cleverly makes a self-powered keyboard. Anyone know of one?

M