[aprssig] New $200 Netbook Appears To Have APRS Potential

[Lee Bengston]

I hadn't heard of the EduBook, so I did a bit of searching and found
that it evidently ships with an Ubuntu based version of Linux called
WattOS.  I downloaded WattOS RC1, which is essentially Ubuntu 9.10
with a customized LXDE desktop.  After installing WattOS in a virtual
machine, I was easily able to compile the latest version of XASTIR
using the current instructions in the Xastir Wiki for Ubuntu 9.10.

Based on the above experience, the EduBook with WattOS should be a
good platform for running XASTIR.

Not necessarily an XASTIR guru,

Lee - K5DAT
Murphy, TX

On 2/12/10, Robert Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu> wrote:
> Did I miss any response to this post for EduBook $200 laptop?
>
> Being native Linux, looks like this would be an ideal APRS
> mobile platform for XASTIR?
> I'd buy one once the XASTIR guru's bless it..
>
> Bob, WB4APR
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: aprssig-bounces at tapr.org
>> [mailto:aprssig-bounces at tapr.org] On Behalf Of Stephen H.
> Smith
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 7:17 PM
>> To: TAPR APRS Mailing List
>> Subject: [aprssig] New $200 Netbook Appears To Have APRS
> Potential
>>
>> Article posted on Slashdot.org today about a new cheap netbook
> that
>> appeared at CES.
>>
>> <http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/10/02/09/2138200/XCores-EduB
>> ook-a-Netbook-That-Runs-on-AA-Batteries>
>>
>> The company's website is:
>>
>> <http://www.norhtec.com/products/gecko/index.html>
>>
>>
>> This device reportedly is begins at only $200. More
> interestingly it
>> runs off 8 standard AA-size NiMH cells rather than some
> proprietary
>> battery pack -- i.e. it should be able to run directly from
>> 12 VDC. They
>> claim total power draw of 1.2 watts.
>>
>> It has a BUILT-IN AC power supply. Only a standard cloverleaf
> laptop
>> power cord is required with no external brick. It comes
>> default with 8
>> GB of flash memory but can also accommodate standard 2.5"
> laptop hard
>> drives. It's supplied with a variant of Ubuntu Linux but is
>> capable of
>> running Windows XP instead. The device has three external USB
>> ports and
>> one internal one. There is empty space inside for added
>> devices such as
>> cellular wireless data cards. You could stuff a USB-interfaced
> GPS
>> INSIDE the device.
>>
>> Even it's standard 8 GB flash could easily hold Windows XP,
>> and either
>> MapPoint/APRSpoint or UIview/Precision Mapping resulting a
> device
>> functionally similar to an AVmap 5 or nuvi 350 but with a 9"
>> screen and
>> real keyboard. A USB<-->serial dongle could connect it to a
>> Kenwood D700
>> or D710 for a complete but compact and cheap mobile APRS
> setup.
>>
>> Another interesting application: Since it has a sound system
>> with mic-in
>> and line out, it could be ideal as a dedicated Echolink
>> terminal due to
>> it's low power drain.
>>
>>
>> Some specs off the mfr's website:
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----------
>>
>>
>> The Gecko Edubook
>>
>> Accepting orders for August shipments.
>>
>> The Gecko EduBook is an upgradeable, low power, portable and
> cost
>> effective laptop. Unlike most inexpensive laptops (often
> called net
>> books), the Gecko EduBook is designed for tough, long service.
>>
>> The Gecko EduBook does not have a fan. The Xcore86 CPU used
>> in the Gecko
>> EduBook is more energy efficient than any other x86 CPU
>> running at 1Ghz.
>> It can support Microsoft Windows XP. The Xcore86 only uses
>> 1.2 watts of
>> power. While the Gecko EduBook costs less than most every
> other x86
>> compatible laptop, the Gecko Edubook features a large, bright
> LED
>> backlit 8.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 600.
>>
>>
>> CPU 1GHz Xcore86 Device on ChipT
>> Graphics Integrated Graphics Chip
>> Memory 512MB / 1GB DDR2
>> Display 8.9" WSVGA 1024 x 600 resolution TFT LCD screen with
> LED
>> backlight
>> HDD SD Card or IDE Flash Disk
>> Audio Line-out, Mic-in, Internal Mic, Internal stereo speakers
>> Ethernet Built in 10/100 Base-T
>> USB 2.0 ports External : 3 ports, Inernal : 1 port (reserved
>> for WIFI, GPRS,
>> CDMA, 3G or 3.5G USB dongles)
>> I/O D-sub 15 pin VGA out, integrated SD card reader, touch pad
>> Power / Battery Rechargeable AA Battery - NiMH 8 pcs (4 hours
> max) or
>> Li+3S (4 hours max) or Li+3S2P (6 hours max)
>> AC 100V-240V (no external adapter)
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------
>> ----------
>>
>> --
>>
>> Stephen H. Smith wa8lmf (at) aol.com
>> EchoLink Node: WA8LMF or 14400 [Think bottom of the 2M band]
>> Skype: WA8LMF
>> Home Page: http://wa8lmf.net
>>
>> NEW! Universal HF/VHF/UHF Antenna Mounting System
>> http://wa8lmf.net/mobile/UniversalAntMountSystem.htm
>>
>> "APRS 101" Explanation of APRS Path Selection & Digipeating
>> http://wa8lmf.net/DigiPaths
>>
>> Updated "Rev H" APRS http://wa8lmf.net/aprs
>> Symbols Set for UI-View,
>> UIpoint and APRSplus:
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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