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next IOpener from AOL already Linuxed
next IOpener from AOL already Linuxed

New Messagenext IOpener from AOL already Linuxed (modified 0 times) geeLook
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,35463,00.html
04-06-2000 09:41:39

New MessageRE:next IOpener from AOL already Linuxed (modified 0 times) '701
Yes, but...
1) It goes for $500
2) It's just as hardwired (AOL only, No Ethernet, No hdd, no X-Window (proprietary GUI...))

Anyway, I have developed a new way to hack the I-opener, without adding (or owning) a laptop hard disk.
Basically, it involves putting a Linux kernel on the flash disk (replacing QNX), and using a NFS/NIS+ filesystem as the root fs. You need ethernet (read USB Ethernet (And YES, Linux supports USB, you need a 2.4pre (or higher) kernel though...), LPT is too slow), and a linux server for this to work (both to host a conventional hard disk with Linux installed on it (yes, you need to do 2 installs, 1 for the server, and another (on a separate partition) which is then mounted by the boot install (i.e. mount /dev/hda2 /mnt/nfs-linux -t ext2) and exported thruy NFS), and all of you who want to run MS-windoze on it are probably SOL (although you could probably do this with a copy of the MS-DOS that comes with Win98 (and booting windoze from a DOS-network drive (if you can get DOS drivers for USB ethernet), but due to MS stupidity (uh... um... who would ever want to run win9x over a network?? Home users don't use LANs, so wy let them boot over one...) this is alot harder than booting UNIX over a Lan...)
This can't be countered, since the I-Opener's design requires that there be the 16mb flashdisk, and there's no way you'll get QNX+Webbrowser+ppp to fit into the 500-900k that it takes for the linux kernel and lilo (JUST the kernel is all you need, as in the bzImage file that you get when you compile the kernel, the System.map file from the kernel, and lilo.conf).

If this works, I may make a new distro, I-Linux, which turns the I-Opener into an Xterm (with multimedia and LCD color)!!! (We all remember those beasts from NCD, dont we???). All you need is a targz of a RedHat (or other) install modified for kernel 2.4pre, and a 'dd' image of a preconfigured kernel that anyone can flash into the I-opener.
(10BaseT USB Ethernet can be bought at CircutCity for $34)

04-07-2000 07:14:23

New MessageRE:next IOpener from AOL already Linuxed (modified 0 times) puddles
---COPY---
Group: alt.discuss.internet.set-top
Date: Tue, Apr 4, 2000, 11:32am (PDT+2)
From: xxxxx@webtv.net
NEWS: The "ePilot 7000" Launches
— Coollogic Inc. Launches e-Pilot 7000 Series -- A Cost Effective, Easy-to-Use Internet Access Device With Advanced Linux OS —
________ 
DALLAS
BUSINESS WIRE
April 3, 2000
———————————
  * Coollogic Inc., today announced the launch of its e-Pilot(TM) 7000 Series -- a cost-effective, easy-to-use Internet access appliances.

The e-Pilot 7000 series incorporates an advanced embedded Linux operating system that has solved the challenge of a reduced kernel size to fit small, memory-lean devices like set-top boxes.

The new set-top box, part of the e-Pilot 7000 Series, will be sold to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Vertical Market Integrators (VMIs). It will be bundled with Coollogic's Internet Ready solution and Coollinux, the company's embedded Linux OS software.

The e-Pilot includes full Java and JavaScript support. Other features include SSL (secure socket layer), 56K modem, Ethernet, and third-party plug-ins, such as Real Audio and Flash. It is one of the first set-top boxes to come with a full version of the Netscape browser utilizing Java applets, SSL and other plug-ins.

Coollinux is a Linux operating system that has solved the past technical challenges of reducing the kernel size to meet the memory footprint and functionality requirements of embedded systems that, in the past, couldn't be applied to most applications because of memory and cost constraints. Coollinux can go down to less than 355 kilobytes, which fits small, memory-lean devices like set-top boxes.

"The e-Pilot is designed to be extremely flexible to the needs of ISPs and VMIs," said Edward Ghafari, vice president of marketing. "Coupled with the wireless keyboard, television or SVGA monitor, nationally provided Internet connectivity and powered by our embedded Coollinux(TM) operating system, the e-Pilot(TM) can eliminate the fear factor among consumers while providing superior performance."

The e-Pilot(TM) is cable-modem and DSL ready, and is compatible with a wide range of popular applications and services. These product features will help to ensure quick adoption and flexible solution among ISPs and VMIs, said Ghafari. Coollogic, which works in a business-to-business model, has positioned the e-Pilot as a powerful but economical Internet access device for the post-PC era.
The e-Pilot(TM) includes: a wireless keyboard and mouse (English or Spanish), TV output with Svideo and Composite (NTSC and PAL), SVGA, Printer support via USB, and Audio support.
° ° ° About Coollogic Inc. ° ° °
Coollogic Inc. is a developer of innovative Internet appliances powered by embedded Linux software. Its Internet Ready(TM) solutions combine the Coollinux(TM) software, e-Pilot(TM) hardware and a wide range of applications and services delivered in a business-to-business model. These solutions provide Vertical Market Integrators and Service Providers a turnkey package of powerful software, reliable hardware and custom portals.

The Coollinux(TM) embedded software solutions offer Original Equipment Manufacturers stable, flexible and cost effective operating systems and applications, which enable them to provide their customers with simple and affordable Internet access in the post-PC era. The company was founded in April 1997 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, see www.coollogic.com.
Note to Editors: Coollogic, Coollinux, Internet Ready and e-Pilot are trademarks of Coollogic Inc. Linux is a registered trademark owned by Linus Torvalds. Their respective companies hold all other brand names and trademarks.
CONTACT: Coollogic, Inc. | Cate Brennan Lisak, 972/590-5700 |
clisak@coollogic.com | or | Hill Communications | Chad Hill, 925/945-7910 | hillcomm@earthlink.net | or | LF Communications | Len Fernandes, 510/538-8916 | lencom@earthlink.net
Copyright © 2000, BUSINESS WIRE
04-07-2000 17:58:48

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