• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

EyeMWing's Carputer Plans

E

EyeMWing

Banned
Thoughts? Particularly looking for USABILITY thoughts - not technical (unless you WANT to comment on that stuff) So this is the right fvcking forum. This is more about the user interface end, which has more to do with cars than computers.

Boring hardware specs:
P2-300 Gateway salvage - $0
Slot1 ATX-ish mobo Gateway salvage - $0
250w mATX PSU Gateway salvage (chosen due to it's slim form factor) - $0
Atheros 802.11g MiniPCI radio - See amusing note below on these - $0
3x 64mb PC100 Gateway salvage - $0
Cheap PCI sound card salvage - $0
MiniPCI/PCI adapter - $19
160gb HDD - $74
Windows XP Embedded - MSDN Academic Alliance - $0
300w Inverter - $0
GPS unit - $0
Video card not yet determined, hopefully $0 unless I need S-video, and then I may have to spend a few bucks

Total:
$93

Boring vehicle specs:
1989 Plymouth Voyager SE Turbo - $700
Silly engine mods - $500
Prospective mounting position - "glove box" under passenger side seat - $0
Dual brand MP3 CD player w/ rear aux - $99
Some bullsh!t speakers - $80

Preexisting vehicle total: $1379

Note on the Atheros MiniPCI: I have a friend who runs a wireless ISP. He buys Asus wireless access points in bulk direct from Asus (he was TRYING to get them to sell him just the mainboard) and strips them of their radios (he upgrades them) and plastic shells (he puts them in weatherproof enclosures). This is one of the harvested radios.


Now, what I need from you guys... Is how in the FSCK am I going to control this? Winamp I can handle - just use a "joystick control" plugin for Wincramp and wire some crap to the game port. But what should I do about GPS and navigation? A touchscreen LCD would be PERFECT, but definitely not in keeping with my theme of "costs absofvckinglutely nothing"

A wireless keyboard wouldn't be a bad idea, and free, too, since I have one that I'm not using. No mouse. Mouse in car is impractical. But I'd still need an LCD of some sort.

What do you guys think?
 
remote? I've got a nice serial IR remote that I can use to control everything in winamp, and it also has mouse functions.
 
How do you control boot up and shutdown? Manually? Wouldn't that get annoying (waiting for it to shut down before you turn your car off)?
 
Originally posted by: misle
How do you control boot up and shutdown? Manually? Wouldn't that get annoying (waiting for it to shut down before you turn your car off)?
Click to expand...

Shutdown is easy - just have it hard-shutdown. No big deal.
Boot is a little bit harder - I'm still toying with the idea of patching the ATX powerbutton into the ignition switch, but implementing it as a button is damned easy. Boot is also why I'm using XP embedded - total control over what loads and what doesn't, so you don't have to wait 11ty years for it to boot.
 
Originally posted by: deadlyapp
remote? I've got a nice serial IR remote that I can use to control everything in winamp, and it also has mouse functions.
Click to expand...

Your ideas intrigue me - how much did it cost?
 
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: deadlyapp
remote? I've got a nice serial IR remote that I can use to control everything in winamp, and it also has mouse functions.
Click to expand...

Your ideas intrigue me - how much did it cost?
Click to expand...
I remember a bunch of these that were offered for around $10. Packerd bell branded from the late 90s. They were used in conjunction with some macro software that could make them do just about any key combination with windows programs. Worked with Windows 98-2k and I'm sure XP, but I haven't tested it.
 
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: deadlyapp
remote? I've got a nice serial IR remote that I can use to control everything in winamp, and it also has mouse functions.
Click to expand...

Your ideas intrigue me - how much did it cost?
Click to expand...
I remember a bunch of these that were offered for around $10. Packerd bell branded from the late 90s. They were used in conjunction with some macro software that could make them do just about any key combination with windows programs. Worked with Windows 98-2k and I'm sure XP, but I haven't tested it.
Click to expand...

I know what you're talking about. Have it sitting in my spare computer parts drawer right now. it was I think one of the few, if not only time mass sales of a product was allowed in the For sale/trade forum because a member was in huge financial trouble for some reason.

If you had more of a budget, I'd pick up a touch screen lcd and integrate it into your dash.
 
Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: deadlyapp
remote? I've got a nice serial IR remote that I can use to control everything in winamp, and it also has mouse functions.
Click to expand...

Your ideas intrigue me - how much did it cost?
Click to expand...
I remember a bunch of these that were offered for around $10. Packerd bell branded from the late 90s. They were used in conjunction with some macro software that could make them do just about any key combination with windows programs. Worked with Windows 98-2k and I'm sure XP, but I haven't tested it.
Click to expand...

I know what you're talking about. Have it sitting in my spare computer parts drawer right now. it was I think one of the few, if not only time mass sales of a product was allowed in the For sale/trade forum because a member was in huge financial trouble for some reason.

If you had more of a budget, I'd pick up a touch screen lcd and integrate it into your dash.
Click to expand...

I looked at it - but the damn things cost more than my fvcking car does - and my school is located on the edge of an unsavory neighborhood that likes to break into cars and steal nice things. So a touchscreen is out. A small LCD is doable, with a wireless keyboard for input. Could even mount the LCD in a flip-down from my overhead console (if I were so inclined)
 
Up for weekend crew. Any hot deals on tiny S-Video LCDs? Or other ideas? I remember someone modding a PocketPC to be an output device.
 
Hm, I've wondered about this stuff before. How does the computer handle temperature changes? I live in Fargo, ND so the temps up here range from ~ -40F to 110F or higher/lower in the summers and winters. I am guessing a HDD could not handle the temp changes? I'm thinking I'll have massive condensation on the CPU/RAM chips when the car warms up in the winter.

I have a small HP ePC machine that is VERY small...i'd say it's about 10" high and at most, 3" wide and about 10" deep. It'd be great to have a bad-ass multi-function MP3 player. What do you plan on doing for a screen?

I was thinking about getting some RF remote...like the ones that ship with the ATi AIW cards to control Winamp/WMP. However, I would like some kind of search function. Maybe there's a way to setup Dragon Naturally Speaking to customize it so you can input a search? 😉

In regards to S-VIDEO LCDs, Dell is having the 2005FPW for $394 + s/h today. Check the hot deals section.
 
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: misle
How do you control boot up and shutdown? Manually? Wouldn't that get annoying (waiting for it to shut down before you turn your car off)?
Click to expand...

Shutdown is easy - just have it hard-shutdown. No big deal.
Boot is a little bit harder - I'm still toying with the idea of patching the ATX powerbutton into the ignition switch, but implementing it as a button is damned easy. Boot is also why I'm using XP embedded - total control over what loads and what doesn't, so you don't have to wait 11ty years for it to boot.
Click to expand...

what's wrong with just going into power management in the bios and setting the power-on state to 'auto' ?
 
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: misle
How do you control boot up and shutdown? Manually? Wouldn't that get annoying (waiting for it to shut down before you turn your car off)?
Click to expand...

Shutdown is easy - just have it hard-shutdown. No big deal.
Boot is a little bit harder - I'm still toying with the idea of patching the ATX powerbutton into the ignition switch, but implementing it as a button is damned easy. Boot is also why I'm using XP embedded - total control over what loads and what doesn't, so you don't have to wait 11ty years for it to boot.
Click to expand...

what's wrong with just going into power management in the bios and setting the power-on state to 'auto' ?
Click to expand...

I highly doubt Gateway's primitive BIOS have such an advanced feature that's only present on about 50% of modern enthusiast boards 😛
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top