[NTLUG:Discuss] MSN Companion and Linux

[JazzMan]

Hi Daniel, where can I order one of these? This is the
first time I've even heard of it.

James

Daniel Hauck wrote:
> 
> There seems to be a kind of slow-down in interesting discussions here
> recently, so I thought I might liven things up with mention of a new project
> I'm working on...a project I think other people might be interested in
> following, if not engaging in.
> 
> The device I am playing with is the IA-1.  It's also known as the MSN
> Companion.  It's a WinCE device that is made for internet access in the form
> of web browsing using an MSN dialup account.  It can, however, use broadband
> internet access if you want to.
> 
> What has this to do with Linux? :)  Well, like the iOpenner, we are loading
> Linux on it instead of WinCE! :)  So far, the reseults are simply amazing.
> This device is actually a simple computer with an AMD K6-2/266, 32MB RAM,
> 16MB CF memory, Trident VGA, LT Winmodem, 4 USB ports, 1 External CF slot,
> 10" 800x600 flat panel display, wireless keyboard with pointer device
> embedded.  NO MOVING PARTS!  :)
> 
> Best of all, this "toy" is available for $99 and *NO* requirement to buy MSN
> access... in fact, if you want to use it, you get it free for 6 months...
> (don't forget to cancel or they'll charge your card!)  This is the kind of
> toy that many people can afford.  With a variety of supported and
> inexpensive USB ethernet adapters, it can quickly become your next XTerminal
> or pseudo-thin client.  Use SMB or NFS mounts to use it as an MP3 player
> station.  Imagine anything you like.  It's cheap, it's small and most women
> will not object to this thing in the livingroom! :)
> 
> People have managed to actually add external HDs to this device by adapting
> the CF slot or by using any of a variety of USB storage devices.  CF is a
> media best treated as "READ ONLY" for practical use because it has a "limit"
> to the number of writes it can sustain.  That value is in the millions but
> still... a limit is a limit.  Don't push it right?  So the idea is to mount
> writeable drives from other servers or external devices to avoid that
> problem.  There is also a Microdrive that works in a CF slot... a 340MB and
> 1GB model... but those are a touch expensive and pushes you beyond the
> "inexpensive toy" range.
> 
> So far, I have spent $114 for the device including shipping and $44 for the
> Linksys USB100TX ethernet device.  I didn't do as much shopping as perhaps I
> should have for the ethernet device because I've read where people have
> picked up some of these things for like $10.
> 
> But let me tell ya, these things are fun to play with and it's a challenge
> to execute this project without getting "carried away!"  For myself, I'm
> going to try to keep it limited to a "no moving parts" device.  If I use any
> external storage, it will likely be via an NFS or SMB mount.
> 
> Unfortunately, I go to school on Saturdays or I would be at the next meeting
> showing this thing off to you folks.  But so far, I have become somewhat
> adept at hacking this device.
> 
> Comments?  Questions?
>