[Wikireader] Any news on Wikireader ?

[Christopher Hall]

On Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:55:31 -0700
Doug Jones <dj6mf at frombob.to> wrote:

> Wolfgang Spraul wrote:
> <snip>
> >> I don't think RMS would have any complaints about carrying one of 
> >> these around.
> > 
> > Can you spend a bit of time to check the licenses? Chris Hall
> > reviewed it so I'm sure it's all good, but since it is all
> > statically linked together and GPL-licensed it means like you said
> > every last bit of software needs to be at least GPL compatible. An
> > independent review on this would be great.
> 
> 
> Sure, that looks doable.  Thank goodness the codebase is so small.
> 
> 
> > In addition to the microSD card, there is only a small bootloader
> > in an EEPROM (to boot from the SD card), but I think it's free
> > software and in the source tree as well.
> > Reflashing that EEPROM is a bit tricky (though possible, needs
> > documentation), but not sure who would need it.
> > 
> >> If you hold the third button down while turning on, it starts up
> >> the serial console (19200 8N1).
> > 
> > Is it documented somewhere how to hook up a serial cable?

I added some infomation to http://wiki.github.com/wikireader/wikireader
to describe the Flash process and the debug connections, 

Let me know if it is understandable

> Good question!  I looked under that sticker, and saw eight little
> golden contact pads.  Do we have to open the case and solder
> something onto there?
There are spring loaded ATE test probes that would be used instead
of soldering.

> 
> > Currently there are three simulators available (console, cocoa,
> > Qt4), but when you want to do active development on the device, I
> > think having a serial cable is the only way to get faster feedback
> > cycles, log output, etc.
> > 
> >> It has no connectivity, other than a serial port I haven't tried
> >> yet, and SneakerNet (you take out the micro SD card and walk over
> >> to another computer to update its contents).  This lack of
> >> connectivity keeps the internals simple and the cost down.  The
> >> card and the serial port are in the battery compartment.
> > 
> > If I think about this device, the one thing that pops out again and
> > again is BRUTAL SIMPLICITY. That is the real beauty of it.
> > You can load some software into this device, then give it to
> > anybody and not be worried they will get lost in a number of
> > buttons and options. They will (have to) focus on what you are
> > delivering in front of their eyes, and one thing where the
> > WikiReader excels technically is the capacitive touch screen, which
> > makes interacting with it a joy.
> > 
> > Get more software on it!
> > :-)
> > Wolfgang
> 

-- 
Best regards.
Christopher Hall                      hswATopenmoko.com