Sorry your browser is not supported!

The two latest additions to my "Geek" collection.

ben NanoNote


While I know there are "nano" computers out there with more powerful specs,, I really wanted to support the copyleft hardware concept ("Sharism") that qi-hardware firmly believes in. I've wanted one of these since the details of the first prototype was released. I have a little work to do in making the wifi modification, but I should have that done by the end of the week. Very exciting. Placed a 'AAA' battery in the pic to provide a reference scale.

Specs
OS : currently running OpenWrt embedded linux distro.
(Changing to Jlime Muffinman linux distro.)




Protocol TracerJet with Gyro


Cheers!!! =)

What do you use the NanoNote for? Movies? Programming (lol)? Nice helicopter, I got the exact same model for christmas. It's surprisingly stable when airborn

TheComet

I plan on using the nanonote as my primary programmer for Arduino electronic projects. The appealing factor is that it is a developer's, programmer's, engineer's, hobbyist's dream. All the hardware is open, no-security, no hacking of firmware is necessary... not only is hardware development and modification accessible,, it's encouraged. All the hardware has freely downloadble, detailed, schematics. All the code from firmware to the linux distros is there for you. There is a strong community around the device sharing information and part builds for just about everything imagineable. The ideas are generally shared and sent back to the manufacturer, helping to build a better product in the future. It's a symbiotic relationship between manufacturer, developer, and end-user.

The heli is sweet, it took me about 15 minutes to get used the controls, and then I was pulling off some tricky landing maneuvers. I'm really impressed with this model. I am looking into outfitting it with a light-weight nano cam (the mod has already been done and is well documented on-line),, and recieving the image from the heli's view on the nanonote!!!! That's going to be an awesome day!

But what good is modding a device with no use? The resolution seems really small, it doesn't seem very powerful, what does the end user use it for?

I really don't know how to answer better than my reply above.

To me the statement is akin to the people that say, "Why bother with DarkBasic Professional... it's not powerful enough... what does the programmer use it for".

Exploring tech is not always limited to working with the most powerful of tools. I guess imagination and enjoying the process of discovery is key, or at least that's how it is for me. But then again I still enjoy looking at code for my Atari 8-bits. I have an iTouch and an iPad... and a firmware hacked psp,, and I'm personally more excited about exploring what I can do with the NanoNote. Community is also another key in my book.

I guess it's a matter of what one is into. I don't believe the NanoNote is right choice for everyone. It just happens to be the right choice for me. Same with going with Arduino over the numerous other more powerful options I could go with. It's all about what moves you, what makes you want to wake up in the morning and try something new.

Some see limits, where others see limitless potential.
Some see limits, where others see ways to push past the limiting factors.
Some see no use, where others see no excuse.
It's a matter of perspective, I suppose.

I'm sorry, I think I've given the wrong impression here. What I mean is what's the ultimate use you have for it, like TheComet said, are you going to use it for watching movies, programming, word processing, or do you have it just to program for?

Sorry, you must not have seen my reply right below TheComet's question. I thought your reply took that into consideration.

that nanolaptop is pretty cool. i would love to have one. Whats the battery life on that? on average?

Other than the size, what are its advantages?

@Pagan,, I'm not sure on the battery-life as I just recv'd it today. I'll report back on my findings. Perhaps doing different stress tests like running Doom or something on it.

Advantages

Here is a quote from the Ben_NanoNote's Info Guide



So, the advantage is the Copyleft 'Open-Hardware' model. Think OpenSource,, and now apply that to the physical components of the device... as well as the underlying firmware + code.

The company wants, expects, and encourages you to modify anything you can think up. They give you every possible specification with no locks. I support this idea/concept and I like to show my support for company's that embrace this philosophy.

How many devices do I/you have that are truly not supported anymore, but yet they remain locked??? Those types ofcompanies don't want you to know or understand how the device works. Everything is proprietary to them and they go out of there way to make it as difficult as possible for you to explore the device,, and their grip and control of the hardware you purchased never expires. It then takes a lot of effort, from some very dedicated and persistent individuals to reverse engineer the device and provide hacks to break around the hardware lock-down,, obviously with no help from the manufacturer.

The NanoNote is open, everything is disclosed. Arduino works very much under the same principle. You can buy an assembled Arduino kit. Or, they let you freely (and I mean charge you nothing as well) go to their website, download the plans for the Arduino board... which you can than build yourself from components. It's a win win for everyone.

TGC and specifically DarkBasic Pro (though this could easily apply to their other products like FPSC) while not OpenSource per se,, follow some of these principles. Most of the source is available, they fully understand the benefit of a supportive community,, a community that is empowered and in return that community helps them to deliver a better produc. They believe in sharing information and building upon imaginations.