WL Freedom Toaster Project

Project milestones

ProjectMilestones

Completed

• Brainstorm and document project aims
  • Group meeting 10-16-2008
• Get prototype hardware
  • Dr.K. Donation 10-23-2008
• Get OS for prototype
  • Burned Ubuntu ISO image 10-30-2008
• Install Ubuntu 11-6-2008 (ubuntu desktop install crashed)
  • Install attempts on original hardware 10-30-2008/11-6-2008
• Install Ubuntu server 8.10 11-13-2008 (AL executive decision) all on original hardware
  • Install successful 11-13-2008
  • subversion install successful 11-13-2008
  • kiosk svn checkout OK 11-13-2008
  • make install successful 11-13-2008
  • inkscape install successful 11-13-2008
  • gnome install in process 11-13-2008 (Errors were encountered while processing /var/cache/apt/archives/python-gnome2-desktop_2.24.0=0ubuntu1_i386.deb
• 11-20-1008
  • errors installing python-gnome2-desktop (same as before) 11-20-2008
  • install python-gnome2-desktop successful (but LONG)
  • install gdm
  • Tried to run Python --> ERROR, need video card drivers

E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

• Get cd/dvd burner for testing
  • Dr.K. Donation 11-13-2008 (firewire read/writeable needs testing)
  • AL may also loan a burner
  • Multiple cd/dvd burners?

To do

• Install kiosk software
• Test the kiosk software using mouse and monitor
• Decide on touchscreen
• Shop and order touchscreen
• Test touchscreen
• Decide on content
• Build the final version

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Software link
svn checkout svn://edison.tsf.org.za/freedomtoaster/trunk freedomtoaster

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Design Considerations

Requirements:

• Answer the question: "What do you want the machine to do?" TASKS
  • burn CD/DVDs,
  • work with a touchscreen,
  • connect to WiFi, and
  • runs the kiosk software.
• What OS do you want to use?
• What kind of hardware is supported for that OS?
• Determine all component properties you'll need: hard drive size, CPU speed, e.g.
• Comparison shop components (document shopping process with links)
• Order components
• Build machine
• Install OS
• Test machine hardware (benchmark if necessary)
• Software dev and testing for TASKS
  • burn CD/DVDs,
  • work with a touchscreen,
  • connect to WiFi, and
  • runs the kiosk software.

Design Aims:

• Form factor should be a free-standing kiosk
• Aesthetic should reflect W&L IT club
  • Color scheme
  • Markings

Members:

• Dr. Kaufhold - johnk_2k AT hotmail DOT com
• Mr. Bui - paul_bui AT apsva DOT us
• Alex Lindeman - alex AT hectogon DOT net
• Marc Portis - marcportis AT gmail DOT com
• Sam Passaglia - scpassaglia AT gmail DOT com
• Theresa Tran
• Harrison Streeter

Ideas Supplies to acquire (for prototype):

• Touchscreen
  • Suggested monitors
    • Planar [1]](Planar has good warranty [3-year replacement])
    • GVision [2]
    • Elo [3]
    • Lilliput [4]
  • Cheapest or most reliable?
  • Compatible with the OS?
  • 2 of the same type
  • New, refurbished or used?
• CD/DVD burner

Design

• [5]
• Software?
  • Which distro of Linux to run?
    • Ubuntu
  • Compatibility with the hardware
    • Touchscreen
  • Network adapter (esp. wifi)
  • Reliability
    • Uptime
    • Lifespan
    • Warranties
• Hardware specs
  • Reliability
  • Motherboard type
  • CPU speed
  • Amount of RAM
  • Hard drive size
  • Power supply
  • Form factor
  • Cooling
  • Size of touchscreen
  • Dimensions
  • Blueprint of kiosk
  • What to do if we can't get a touchscreen? fallback: trackball mouse in kiosk?

Content

• What should we distribute?
  • Schedule // October (2008) -> April (2009)
  • October --> Mid January: Protocol
  • January --> April: Delivery
• October & November
  • Start of Project
  • Collect Computer Parts: Motherboards, CPU, Disk,
  • Decide on OS (Ubuntu), Kiosk (Freedom Toaster), Software
  • Sketch Initial Design on Paper & Physical Dimensions of The Kiosk
  • Decide on Physical Location of Kiosk (W-L Cyber Cafe)
• December
  • Work on The Protocol
  • Test Touchscreen
• January
  • Test Protocol
  • Decide on Contents
• February
  • Aesthetic Design
  • Develop Part List
  • Final Design - CAD
  • Order Parts
• March
  • Assembly
• April
  • Delivery The Kiosk To Physical Location