DSL Ideas and Suggestions :: DSL 4 CarPC/CarPuter

I'm currently using WinXP in my carputer and notice a number of people on different carpc forums expressing interest in linux runing from ramdrive.

DSL seems like a great starting point.

so far, the biggest "wants" seem to be

static kernel with support for VIA miniITX embeded hardware

- sound, video, usb, firewire all built on the board and shipping with windows drivers currently.

- configured out of the box to run GPS and MP3 player

- remove all desktop apps

- add touchscreen drivers (module)

i assume it's not a terrible amount of work to DIY this using the base DSL, but i bet a lot of people in the CarPC scene would fork out $40 or more for something like this.

i know it would cost me at least 100bux in time to relearn linux and build for the carpc hardware.

thoughts?

That is exactly what I am trying to achieve as well.
But, the requirments far outstretch my linux experience.

So far in my efforts I have managed to screw up 4 or 5 installations, which is no problem with such a small installation time.

I have yet to find an Audio Player that is simple to use and any info on a GPS system.

I think I will forget the touch screen until the price fall. There is some software called Giant Disc which uses an old palm III as an interface.

My system is based on an old IBM thinkpad T20.

I have most problems with either deleting or adding icons on/in fluxbox.

Try using the command line mpg321 player application.

You can write a script that will automatically play all *.mp3 files that appear in a certain location like say a USB drive.

Here is more info.

http://www.die.net/doc/linux/man/man1/mpg321.1.html

static kernel with support for VIA miniITX embeded hardware
- sound, video, usb, firewire all built on the board and shipping with windows drivers currently.
- add touchscreen drivers (module)

These two would require a kernel rebuild. Simple enough. Get yourself a copy of Knoppix. Find the kernel version. Get those kernel sources. Get the .config from /usr/src/linux when in KNOPPIX.

Once you have a development environment set up (can be achieved with a DSL HD install followed by apt-getting g++ gcc and make), do make config.

Now, take a look in the manual for your mini-itx board. You want to have built-in modules for the hardware on the VIA board (I actually have a nice embedded-type kernel made from uClibc and designed for the mini-itx board in my "TRS-800", but it's very specifically for the VIA-EPIA series; you lose functionality for the EPIA-M and others).

It's all about getting your hands dirty. I hope I've pointed you in the right direction.

Oh, and as for the touchscreen; it acts like a mouse. Usually drivers aren't required. Just set the cursor to a null bitmap.

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