Figured I'd do at least one more, since there's some actual live use cases here.
Turns out, by the way, that there is no USBnet problem. It was just OpenMoko deciding to put Neo to sleep after a few minutes if there aren't any GUI apps present, irrespective of the Neo being plugged in, having usbnet activity and/or playing music. Reported it anyway, as well as the (still real) microSD write problem. For the meat of this post, let's first consider the BT PAN instructions at http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Bluetooth_Support#Networking They work. Remember that pand needs to be started at both ends before ip and routing setup. This frees Neo LAN-wise from the USB cable whereever you have a bluetooth-enabled computer. Most laptops nowadays have BT, and for those that don't and the desktops, USB dongles come cheap. The range and speed won't be incredible, but enough to be useful. Now, what to do with a wireless network on the couch? Hmm, browse the web? Sure. OpenMoko's browser is a bit buggy, and less than fully featured at this point, though. But didn't we run a remote firefox in the last episode over the USBnet? Why yes, yes we did. So, fire it up over our BT PAN. Could be snappier, but works quite usably. A limited use web pad it is. Not very mobile, of course, so all you working on the browser, please continue ;) What's next that's wireless and useful on the couch? How about a remote control. My computer doubles as a telly and a video player, and lirc always seemed too much of a bother. Plus with a phone as a remote, there's one less box to worry about. I'd prototyped a terminal-based python remote before, used it a bit with s60putty. Basically just runs eg. aumix and totem commands based on keypresses from the terminal session. Primitive, but works. Adapted a bit for handy use with Neo's on-screen keyboard, and made a short script to run the program via ssh from the Neo. The result: a semi-handy remote. Making a better one might be a good exercise project; scratches my itch, is useful, shouldn't take long to get basic functionality. A simple GUI with just several large buttons to start with; configurable button sets and status indicators maybe later. Either run the program remotely from the controlled host (probably this route for prototyping) or have an ssh session in the background to the controlled host (would be better for the final product). Program executes predefined commands on the controlled host in response to button presses. Hopefully will be energetic enough on the weekend to see about it. At least some of the weekend will probably be consumed at the local Assembly Summer 2007 party, though. Got a free pass as an infosoc activist TV guest today. Briefly pointed at my Neo on the show as well as to a few people around the Ubuntu desk. As for future propaganda, I've got two OpenMoko talks scheduled for this autumn, at the FUUG cruise and a Helsinki Linux theme night. For now, good night, and good mokoing. -- Mikko Rauhala - [EMAIL PROTECTED] - <URL:http://www.iki.fi/mjr/> Transhumanist - WTA member - <URL:http://www.transhumanism.org/> Singularitarian - SIAI supporter - <URL:http://www.singinst.org/>
