(I posted this a couple of days ago, but it was never released from amsat.org limbo. So I resend. My order for OLPC went in today -- they accept either PayPal or plastic -- Tom)
Another thing I gleaned from the OLPC wiki is that it supports FORTH (start at http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Forth_Lesson_0).
Karl (DJ4ZC) designed Phase-3A back in the late 1970's and the onboard computer (IHU) used the computer language that Karl wrote called IPS (Interpreter for Process Structures) based on FORTH, but with German syntax and multi-tasking real-time support. Several of us (W0PN, W1HDX, ZL1WN, DB2OS & I) ported the German "dialect" of IPS into English and the "Gerglish" IPS has served as the basis for running all the Phase-3 IHUs up thru AO-40 (thanks to the efforts of W4SM and G3RUH). IPS is also planned for P3-E (N4HY already has it running on the new IHU) and probably P5.
As another possible AMSAT/OLPC synergy, I can easily envision the OLPC Forth kernel being adapted to real-time control tasks with the addition of Karl's "chain".
Although it is really modest compared to the normal laptop, Nick Negroponte and his team has really come up with a platform that has amazing possibilities!
Meanwhile, ASUS has introduced their commercial Linux-based "Eee" miniature notebook that is already available ($399 from Amazon http://www.google.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=BuJiyAGg3R9XlK4iaeuyDjLIMqprePM7tta0EqNmYlROgjQYIABACGAIoAjgBUKHAuc0HYMnOh4mIpIQQoAHQ1fn-A6oBGkdHR0xiK0dHR0xhQjMrR0dHTGxFTisyTlJTyAEBgAIB2QOFt4nqV-FMVuADEA&adurl=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000Y33CVM/2launch-20) -- Just Google ASUS Eee http://www.google.com/search?q=Asus+Eee&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_en___US214 or see the Eee wiki entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC#Storage for details.
73, Tom
I notice that the OLPC comes with one year free T-mobile wireless access.
Am about to purchase. The fine print says: - No support. No service. BLOGGS will help you. - You are part of a mission, not a customer - BOGO from 12 to 26 November only.
Questions: Is there an implication here, that after this initial offering, that these will not be sold to USA students and kids? That these are only for 3rd world? That there will be some kind of limit to keep afluent kids out of the program?
I assume not. Because all this program needs is VOLUME production and the way to get that is to sell to everyone. And besides, they need lots of talented kids develping software to raise the overall open-software collective value.
Can anyone shed light on this? Rather than buying my kids a flufffed up bloated windows laptop, I'd rather get them an OLPC to support the program and so they can learn the big picture and contribute to the collective education of the world. I assume it will have a word processor, a browser, a spreadsheet, a drawing program and other basic tools.
Big picture? Will American schools be fully participating?
Bob, WB4APR
Hi Bob and the group...
re: "assume it will have a word processor, a browser, a spreadsheet, a drawing program and other basic tools"
It has that and more. You can run the emulator for XO right now using a VMware image including chatting/typing with your neighbors. Your neighborhood will be over the internet rather than WIFI but the XO doesn't care what your connectivity is, only that you are connected. If you see me on your desktop - we can chat and share a bunch of other stuff. I'll be the "VE4YZ" icon.
The VMware image is here and runs right out of the box:
http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OS_images
The freeware VMplayer is here:
http://www.vmware.com/download/player/
Folks who have not been exposed to Linux GUI's will have a bit of a learning curve. Try F1, F2, F3 etc to see your various desktops and, like the kids, have fun exploring. You will be learning all kinds of new stuff but you won't know that you are on a learning curve. Allow yourself to assume your child-like state and enjoy. This shouldn't hard as I think most hams are in that mode when playing with their toys :-)
Alan, VE4YZ
p.s. Mac and Linux users also have emulator and the main page for all O/S is
http://wiki.laptop.org/go/OS_images_for_emulation
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Robert Bruninga Sent: November 13, 2007 3:01 PM To: K3IO@verizon.net; 'AMSAT BB' Subject: [amsat-bb] One Laptop per Child Free T-mobile access
I notice that the OLPC comes with one year free T-mobile wireless access.
Am about to purchase. The fine print says: - No support. No service. BLOGGS will help you. - You are part of a mission, not a customer - BOGO from 12 to 26 November only.
Questions: Is there an implication here, that after this initial offering, that these will not be sold to USA students and kids? That these are only for 3rd world? That there will be some kind of limit to keep afluent kids out of the program?
I assume not. Because all this program needs is VOLUME production and the way to get that is to sell to everyone. And besides, they need lots of talented kids develping software to raise the overall open-software collective value.
Can anyone shed light on this? Rather than buying my kids a flufffed up bloated windows laptop, I'd rather get them an OLPC to support the program and so they can learn the big picture and contribute to the collective education of the world. I assume it will have a word processor, a browser, a spreadsheet, a drawing program and other basic tools.
Big picture? Will American schools be fully participating?
Bob, WB4APR
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I missed the earlier discussions on the latest AO-16 activities.
Would someone please provide the uplink and downlink frequencies please?
Thank you and 73, Jeff - K7WIN
Here's the original message: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/48hour/msg61085.html
And here is my AO-16 entry in my SATPC32 Doppler.SQF file:
AO-16,437026,145920,USB,FM,NOR,0,0
Enjoy!
73, Drew KO4MA
AO-16 just passed with a max elevation of 24 degrees. Was able to work the following stations:
WDOE XE2AT NN6T W6CQZ W7KKE WD0EQP
First contact when bird 1.8 degrees and last when bird was 2.8 degrees. Could still copy downlink when at less than 1.0 degree. Using 10 watts.
Very nice sounding bird. Thanks AO-16 Team for a job well done.
73, Jeff - K7WIN DM41
Hi all,
excellent news ! Congratulations to command team for AO-16's recovery !!!
Well, I am awake and I am waiting the next pass @ 02.35 Z !
Anyone for the first QSO over Europe? The footprint is over East and Central Europe .
73, Mak SV1BSX
----- Original Message ----- From: "K7WIN - Jeff" k7win@k7win.net To: "'Amsat Buleitin Board'" amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 2:43 Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-16 Success
AO-16 just passed with a max elevation of 24 degrees. Was able to work the following stations:
WDOE XE2AT NN6T W6CQZ W7KKE WD0EQP
First contact when bird 1.8 degrees and last when bird was 2.8 degrees. Could still copy downlink when at less than 1.0 degree. Using 10 watts.
Very nice sounding bird. Thanks AO-16 Team for a job well done.
73, Jeff - K7WIN DM41
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080118-0, 01/18/2008 Tested on: 1/23/2008 3:17:36 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com
--- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080118-0, 01/18/2008 Tested on: 1/23/2008 3:28:08 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com
Hi again
well, the satellite sounds just GREAT ! Very strong downlink indeed.
Unfortunatelly, I was lonely (it was 04.40 AM Local!) but I tested that carefully with my return-voice during the whole pass.
1)The satellite is super sensitive, I had easily access above the horizon - just a few seconds after the AOS.
2) I used just a 3 VHF Element Yagi and a 7 El UHF, both in Horizontal polarization but with AZ & EL capabilities.
3) I observed a quick & heavy fading with period of about 15 sec (probably due to my Linear polarity).
4) It was enoung my 5 Watts in the most cases for Loud-Clear Downlink. Just on the deep-fading I switched-ON to Hi-Power (25 W).
5) the super-duper Downlink it was the reason for ... Feedback between my MIC - SAT - Earphones ! Incredible ! I never had this experience with other Satellites. The Downlink audio of AO-16 is really BOOOOMING !
Well done! Congrat's again to command team.
73, Mak SV1BSX
----- Original Message ----- From: "SV1BSX" sv1bsx@yahoo.gr To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:28 Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-16 sked
Hi all,
excellent news ! Congratulations to command team for AO-16's recovery !!!
Well, I am awake and I am waiting the next pass @ 02.35 Z !
Anyone for the first QSO over Europe? The footprint is over East and Central Europe .
73, Mak SV1BSX
----- Original Message ----- From: "K7WIN - Jeff" k7win@k7win.net To: "'Amsat Buleitin Board'" amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 2:43 Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-16 Success
AO-16 just passed with a max elevation of 24 degrees. Was able to work the following stations:
WDOE XE2AT NN6T W6CQZ W7KKE WD0EQP
First contact when bird 1.8 degrees and last when bird was 2.8 degrees. Could still copy downlink when at less than 1.0 degree. Using 10 watts.
Very nice sounding bird. Thanks AO-16 Team for a job well done.
73, Jeff - K7WIN DM41
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080118-0, 01/18/2008 Tested on: 1/23/2008 3:17:36 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com
avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080118-0, 01/18/2008 Tested on: 1/23/2008 3:28:08 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080118-0, 01/18/2008 Tested on: 1/23/2008 4:04:49 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com
--- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080118-0, 01/18/2008 Tested on: 1/23/2008 5:10:52 avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com
Wow, I don't check my email for a few days, and come back to a 'new' voice bird! With a very neat technical challenge!
I'm thanking my stars I splurged for a 70cm SSB radio capable of PC control even though I didn't _really_ need it yet.
I will be working AO-16 as much as my little station can!
Sincere thanks and congratulations to the team that brilliantly worked out this 'hack'.
73 de Matt KC4YLV
My commendations to the team for the open revelations and the technical determination it took to regain a useful AO-16.
It is refreshing to see the thought process from the inside on an AMSAT project and the cooperation and feedback provided by ALL members.
It's important realize that the difference between decommissioning and a new active life became available through the open exchange of information providing the links needed to solve this problem.
The intuitiveness of the original design team to provide a "fall-back" scenario should also be recognized.
Thanks again!
Roger WA1KAT
----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" glasbrenner@mindspring.com To: "K7WIN - Jeff" k7win@k7win.net; "Amsat Buleitin Board" amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 7:26 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-16 Frequencies
Here's the original message: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/48hour/msg61085.html
And here is my AO-16 entry in my SATPC32 Doppler.SQF file:
AO-16,437026,145920,USB,FM,NOR,0,0
Enjoy!
73, Drew KO4MA
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Bob,
I presume the limited offering is because Deutsche Telekom who own T-Mobile have no desire to lose money - offering free WiFi hotspot access, even for a year, has a cost.
Not wishing to put a damper on it I do wonder about the economics of the project. The original target was $100, this has already shifted to $200 and I wonder what they are currently getting in the way of subsidies from the Peruvian Government and various International Bodies UN, UNESCO etc to allow a $200 price tag.
If the project were economically viable then the primary market would be the wealthy citizens of North America, Japan and Europe. I suspect that even at $200 a piece this is not a profitable venture and depends on subsidies.
Still if taxpayers dollars are indirectly subsidising the hardware then we should take full advantage of it. Software is the key and given that it runs a Linux based operating system there should be a significant amount of Open Source software available.
As Peter has mentioned there is a serial interface available which would permit various Amateur Radio control applications eg rotator control.
73 Trevor M5AKA
--- Robert Bruninga bruninga@usna.edu wrote:
I notice that the OLPC comes with one year free T-mobile wireless access.
Am about to purchase. The fine print says:
- No support. No service. BLOGGS will help you.
- You are part of a mission, not a customer
- BOGO from 12 to 26 November only.
Questions: Is there an implication here, that after this initial offering, that these will not be sold to USA students and kids? That these are only for 3rd world? That there will be some kind of limit to keep afluent kids out of the program?
I assume not. Because all this program needs is VOLUME production and the way to get that is to sell to everyone. And besides, they need lots of talented kids develping software to raise the overall open-software collective value.
Can anyone shed light on this? Rather than buying my kids a flufffed up bloated windows laptop, I'd rather get them an OLPC to support the program and so they can learn the big picture and contribute to the collective education of the world. I assume it will have a word processor, a browser, a spreadsheet, a drawing program and other basic tools.
Big picture? Will American schools be fully participating?
Bob, WB4APR
___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html
participants (9)
-
Alan -
Andrew Glasbrenner -
jonny 290 -
K7WIN - Jeff -
Robert Bruninga -
Roger Kolakowski -
SV1BSX -
Tom Clark, K3IO -
Trevor