A Linux Machine For Your Collar 318
MadSaxon writes "gumstix.org has a brief but titillating description of a very small Linux machine based on the PXA255: 20 x 80 mm, '64MB SDRAM, 4MB Flash, MMC/SD/SDIO slot, and power management. It takes 3.6V - 5.0V power, and has been drawing under 200 mA.' It weighs less than 12g sans battery, and 'can fit in a collar undetected.' Is collar-top computing the Next Big Thing?"
Laundry advice? (Score:5, Funny)
You've got token ring around the collar!
Re:Laundry advice? (Score:4, Funny)
Unless they mean a collar with a buckle and a D-ring...
Re:Laundry advice? (Score:2, Funny)
Bash [wackypackages.org]
What Distro ? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:What Distro ? (Score:2, Funny)
Memo to the PHB: We need to downsize, again. If the fire sprinklers go off in the cube farm, how many staff will be electocuted?
Re:What Distro ? (Score:3, Funny)
Bondage (Score:2, Funny)
Wearable Linux (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Wearable Linux (Score:5, Funny)
Collar? (Score:3, Insightful)
Well yes actually think about it. (Score:5, Interesting)
Belt? Even worse in many ways. In a working enviroment things tend to snag. And if you are crawling around after wires this is not nice.
So yeah the collar would be an intresting spot. A safe place on the body. How often do you bump your hips into something and how often your throath?
Of course the original reference was humorous intended but I just dislike it when people automatically snub an idea just because they refuse to think for a second about a new possibilty.
Re:Well yes actually think about it. (Score:2)
Re:Well yes actually think about it. (Score:2)
Um, maybe you shouldn't bend over so much.
Re:Well yes actually think about it. (Score:2, Funny)
Nah, many geeks have plenty of "padding" around the belt area to protect the device.
I don't think the throat is the best spot for it. (Score:5, Funny)
They broke my pta (personal throat assistant) right when I got there, and I had to buy something else.
Re:Collar? (Score:2)
Electroshock Therapy
Re:Collar? (Score:2)
gt384u:
Judging by some of the trolls on here there are fucks, um, I mean "folks", who do most of their communication and perception through their pocket and belt buckle!
Management (Score:5, Funny)
"Slashdoting again?!"
Re:Management (Score:2, Offtopic)
Neat item (Score:4, Interesting)
So many possibilties:
Link to these lie-detector glasses [slashdot.org] for better detection.
Card counting in Vegas.
Covert recording of conversations (low bitrate MP3?)
The chicks. Well.. maybe not the chicks..
:)
Anyhow, this is moot. I can't recall the last time I wore a shirt with a collar..
Re:Neat item (Score:2)
Maybe a random chat-up line picker software? Or even a small AI if you're just that thick..!
Daniel
Re:Neat item (Score:2)
Port this too it. You'll no longer have a problem with conversation!
Re:Neat item (Score:2)
What kind of collar? (Score:2)
Re:What kind of collar? (Score:5, Funny)
"Slave you've been bad. Do you know what happens to bad boys?!"
"No Mistress, but wait let me google it..."
Can i? (Score:2)
Why not wireless? (Score:5, Interesting)
But, I guess that goes against the post. My other thought is the social stigma associated with these things. I still get people telling me in an embarassed tone of voice that they can't remember my number any more without their cell phone handy. I see these things being huge in the area of 'intelligence augmentation' and 'external memories', if only people could accept that learning things rote is no longer something we actually have to do any more.
Re:Why not wireless? (Score:2)
Re:Why not wireless? (Score:2)
Blue Tooth indeed. Heh
Re:Why not wireless? (Score:2)
What's a ready to go, and why would he need to put a bluetooth card in it?
Re:Why not wireless? (Score:2, Insightful)
"Dumb" terminals are NOT the total solution (Score:5, Interesting)
You're exactly right, that is the way things are headed. But stop to think about the local computing power that may be required. Things like sophisticated video compression algorithms, speech recognition, and in the future perhaps an intelligent agent which sifts through data and presents useful items (think advanced version of dashboard). All of these things will need power close to the cpu. After that, Sun had it right, "The Network is the Computer". Especially for storage of data, etc. But there will always be a baseline requirement for local computing power.
Also, another idea to consider. By offloading processing power... ie, the "dumb terminal" approach, you take away the power to customize your experience. You effectively end up with an advertising receiver. You'll be powerless to access the types of information that you're interested in, and the device becomes more like a television, only capable of doing what it's preprogrammed to. Most people will not go to the effort to set up their own web services to connect to.
Distributed processing power is the future. But with lots of power spread out over millions of portable devices all interconnected, it becomes more of a social appliance that a number crunching system.
(I drift off topic...)
Personally what I'm most interested in are assistive agents. I think in the future you may be considered handicapped to NOT have one of these things someone on your person allowing you to tap into the global network, maybe even subconciously. Think instant google searches based on something you're thinking about, augmenting your memory automatically. Some really cool stuff, just hope the economy keeps together so I see it happen in my lifetime.
under the collar? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:under the collar? (Score:2)
Re:under the collar? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:under the collar? (Score:2)
I agree comrade. I will inform the Ministry of Technological Development immediately and put a halt to this unproductive enginering.
Re:under the collar? (Score:3, Informative)
If its a normal computer that you can interface with, it would be neat to just talk to it like a Secret Service agent, but I don't think this guy has anywhere near the processing power for that.
Anyway, I find it amusing that slashdoters (including myself) love technology
Re:under the collar? (Score:3, Funny)
Okay, I see where you are going with your idea
Is collar-top computing the Next Big Thing?" (Score:2)
Sorry guys, why does everything have to be the Next big thing? Why not just hail it as a fantasitic step forward?
Yo Grark
Re: Is collar-top computing the Next Big Thing?" (Score:2)
thusly, they need serious sensationalism.
Re: Is collar-top computing the Next Big Thing?" (Score:2)
Re: Is collar-top computing the Next Big Thing?" (Score:2)
Re: Is collar-top computing the Next Big Thing?" (Score:2)
Yo Grark
Great! (Score:2)
Bugs need to be ironed out. (Score:5, Funny)
Best to iron these out without the device still in the shirt collar. Medium starch.
Re:Bugs need to be ironed out. (Score:2)
looks good ... but... (Score:4, Interesting)
i'd definitely wear one of these in my leather jacket, though.
seems like it would be a good fit for 'seams', and i can think of a million uses for linux-enabled clothes, really
combine it with todays 'bendy LCD' materials, and we could, finally, be rid of the package-gadget dilemna forever. (clothes become computing devices.)
"hi, i'm home, its me, this is my pgp key, turn on the lights and wake up the studio
"constant-slashdot feed, on my collar lcd..."
"location-based websites" - now, here is an idea whose time has come: an internet based entirely on -physical- proximity.
who knows, maybe devices like this could save the music industry. if my clothes walked away with legit
Re:looks good ... but... (Score:2)
LOL. you're joking right? We've done this already. They're called billboards.
Re:looks good ... but... (Score:2)
So now, when you get mugged, the mugger strips you naked, leaves you in an alley, and runs off wearing your clothes to signup for all sorts of pr0n sites, credit cards, etc. in your name.
Thanks, but no thanks.
This is cute...if it's for real. (Score:2)
cluster (Score:2, Redundant)
size in imperial units (Score:2, Funny)
How About a Watch? (Score:3, Interesting)
I've been looking for a geeky watch. The IBM Linux watch doesn't look like it is ever going to come out.
Add a tiny color touch screen, some buttons and a tiny speaker/mic.
The SD slot has lots of possibilities (I mean other than "wrist pr0n").
Re:How About a Watch? (Score:2)
Re:How About a Watch? (Score:2)
Bad SPOT, bad!
Re:How About a Watch? (Score:2)
Probably not (Score:2)
This device sounds about as big as an iPod, except that the iPod has a 4G. Now there's a cool device. Small, single function, useful, stylish and has the infrastructure support (iTunes) to make it a commercial success. (And the mini comes with a wrist strap so you can wear it while jogging. Hello, wearable.)
If you as me, this devic
A Linux Machine For MY? Collar (Score:2)
Very clever machine, but what an unusual choice of location for such an embedded device.
What next, a computer for your ball-gag ? Or maybe running GIMP [gimp.org] on your GIMP [imdb.com] ???
Re:A Linux Machine For MY? Collar (Score:2)
Perhaps it would seem more appropriate in the collar of a dress shirt?
Imagine, a PDA in every shirt, and a Bluetooth-enabled closet to make sure your shirts are up-to-date. Add one of those new rollable displays to the sleeve, and away you go.
Dress Code (Score:2)
Dude, you would not like me running your office - It might cause a slight lowering of morale, but in my experience a 'suit rule' provides a formal working environment that results in a quality increase worth the morale loss. Of course, I'm also old school enough that I think the boss should be a "Mr." or "Ms." and not by their first name.
Besides, my way you get a PDA built into your shirt... duh. :)
Re:Dress Code (Score:2, Informative)
Do you also believe in pensions, on the job training, company cars, company parking spaces, martini lunches, and lower paid CEOs vs employees as well ? (using the 1980's 40:1 ration instead of the 1999 500:1 ratio). Do the mailroom employees wear suits ?
Not to go totally OT, but it's just so rare to find someone who believes that programmers (who don't meet clients) wearing a suit can increase "production" Actually, working from home increases production more... ever try that ?
Oh, and I'll take two
What about heat? (Score:2)
And let's face it, that's really what we want, a heat pad that does Seti@Home calculations while releaving our sore muscles. Props to the first person who writes the intelligence for our new heatpads to crawl across our backs and hooks up sensors that find knots to be worked out.
It's the year 2004, where are my robotic masseuses?
Distributed Computing (Score:2)
the RIAA scenario (Score:3, Funny)
What the heck (Score:2)
Where's that firewire cable leash now.
Cooling is crucial (Score:2)
This thing is going to make a lot of people hot under the collar.
[ducks]
Grey Matter (Score:5, Funny)
Why not? For many, it'd be the only processing power above the neck.
Super-office-guy!!! (Score:4, Funny)
How do they figure this stuff out? (Score:2)
Re:How do they figure this stuff out? (Score:2, Funny)
Umm, these are linux zealots. It wouldnt fit up their asses next to the iPod and Zaurus.
Realize also that these are knobs who own nothing but collared shirts. On the beach in a collared T shirt. Socks with sandals. They're that cool.
Re: (Score:2)
Obvious rebuttal (Score:4, Insightful)
No, it isn't.
I rebut your rebuttal (Score:2)
> No, it isn't.
Yes, it is.
ha beat that one!
Comes with an extension cord and a boss-locator. (Score:2)
Great Idea. Now interface it to my eye glasses so I can instantly recall names, age, birthday, kids, interests for anyone I meet.
Linux + Personal cooling system (Score:2)
Maybe someone could put the linux machine with the Personal Cooling System.
Was I the only one who thought (Score:2)
1) Smart sensors that automatically determine when your dog is not following his housebreaking and shock him accordingly
2) If Dog barks, it evaluates validity of threat (using spy camera embedded in collar) and alerts you if it's a problem...
3) Any others?
Wow, all this needs is ... (Score:2)
Wow, all this needs is no battery. Seriously. Maybe a solar panel, or one of those biomechanical generators that use spare motion to generate power like a self-winding watch. Or, for the ultimate geek, rig up a stirling engine that can run off your body heat.
Way cool, man. Way cool.
P.S. Where do you put the monitor and keyboard? Lemme guess - bluetooth to the display on your wristwatch? The possibilities are endless!
Novell? (Score:2)
JUST IMAGINE (Score:3, Insightful)
wrong OS (Score:3, Funny)
Collar? (Score:2)
I'm still waiting for nostril-embedded computers (Score:4, Funny)
I hope the keyboard plug is PS/2 - - not USB! Ouch!
What self-respecting Linux geek... (Score:3, Funny)
The secret of Dilbert's necktie. (Score:5, Funny)
Or just use the tie as your monitor, although it'd have to curl up so you could read it more easily. Now what nerd do we know that wears a curling up necktie...
Surprised at such little insight (Score:3, Informative)
Step #2! Earth Final Conflict GlobalComms (Score:3, Funny)
Google cache (Score:5, Informative)
Other places for wearable Linux computers (Score:3, Funny)
National Security, TSA (Score:3, Interesting)
Linux And Collars (Score:3, Funny)
Hmm...given that this device is based on Linux and us Linux folks hate to wear collars, I give them poor odds of finding a market!
Re:This (Score:3, Funny)
Re:This (Score:3, Funny)
A:The size of your pockets!
Re:Ohh sexy jewelry :o) (Score:3, Funny)
I believe you are referring to Mrs. R. Hand?
Yes we are all quite familiar with her, I don't think she cares for jewelry.
Re:Ohh sexy jewelry :o) (Score:2, Funny)
Could be Perl necklace in this context though
Re:What about my brain? (Score:2)
Re:In other news... (Score:2, Funny)
Main Entry: titillate
Function: verb Inflected Form(s): -lated; -lating
1 : to excite pleasurably : arouse by stimulation
what the???
Re:So It's a PDA (Score:5, Insightful)
I think people should start working on smaller, more convenient interfaces rather than smaller computers, because we have some pretty ridiculously small computers out already.
Re:So It's a PDA (Score:3, Informative)
aremac [eyetap.org]
I've seen ones that look just like sunglasses, but can't find a pic now.
Re:What kind of processor does this use? (Score:2)
Re:Funny? (Score:2)
Yes, there is. Go to your Preferences page, select the Comments tab, then find the section labelled "Reason Modifier" and use the drop-down to set Funny modded posts to -6. Done.
That's how I ignore Trolls and ACs.