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My Business Card Runs Linux

thirtythreeforty.net

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Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#31

Post by IshKebab »

Aardwolf wrote: post #18
jaclaz wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, it is appropriate as a business card for an embedded systems engineers, not so much for a system security one! More seriously, I never managed to understand the "obsession" with ROHS (this here is just an example): >I made sure to have a lead-free process—the boards, parts, and solder paste are all RoHS—so that I wouldn't feel bad about giving them to people. I mean, you are creating something that (besides bei…

I think it's very considerate to not add lead to a business card people may put in their pockets.

Lead is restricted because of what happens to it when PCBs are landfilled, not because it is harmful to touch.

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#32

Post by glaberficken »

Loved the article, but loved even more to learn about MicroPython.

As an amateur programmer that has never actually physically handled hobby micro-controller type boards, but has read a lot about them, it was amazing to be able to try out the emulator at https://micropython.org/unicorn/

Make the leds blink, see how servo control works etc, all in the browser without having to actually buy any hardware! I had never seen anything like this.

Would love if others could point me to more advanced emulators of hardware micro controllers (if there is such a thing!)

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#33

Post by jlg23 »

nilsb wrote: post #3

While it's a fascinating project I'd have some security concerns about plugging someone's USB business card into my computer.

OTOH, a security conscious engineer could exploit this to have the business card call home and automatically block communications from the company so one does not waste time with them ;)

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#34

Post by aliswe »

gokhan wrote: post #30
rvz wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the project webpage: > It has a USB port in the corner. If you plug it into a computer, it boots in about 6 seconds and shows up over USB as a flash drive and a virtual serial port that you can use to log into the card's shell. The parent of this thread has a valid point here and the insecurity implications of this is nefarious if one isn't careful. While it is a technically cool fun project, I can imagine a bad…

You and your parent clearly shows the current boring, uninspiring state of HN community. Well done. Now, where is the predictible sandboxing guy to counter your predictible "security implications" argument?

Sort of agree, but the "well done" part in your reply also represent a sad aspect of HN, in my view

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#36

Post by pjmlp »

shakna wrote: post #15
TomMarius wrote: post #6

Most credit cards run Java(Card), another very interesting technology

On that note, the platform had a bunch of (medium) vulnerabilities early this year [0][1], but I haven't managed to find a follow up. (Which isn't unusual - this is Oracle. Knowledge of patches is precious information.) [0] https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/03/22/oracles_java_card/ [1] https://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Mar/35

Before Oracle there was Sun, which managed Java Card just the same way, and there is the consortium as well.

Given the December 12th release, I expect those issues from March, to have been fixed already.

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#38

Post by detaro »

jaclaz wrote: post #10
nilsb wrote: post #3

While it's a fascinating project I'd have some security concerns about plugging someone's USB business card into my computer.

Well, it is appropriate as a business card for an embedded systems engineers, not so much for a system security one! More seriously, I never managed to understand the "obsession" with ROHS (this here is just an example): >I made sure to have a lead-free process—the boards, parts, and solder paste are all RoHS—so that I wouldn't feel bad about giving them to people. I mean, you are creating something that (besides bei…

Avoiding leaded solder is trivial, and it is something that's hopefully handled a bunch, so why not avoid lead? I didn't know "following best practices you have to follow in your daily work anyhow" is "obsessing".

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#39

Post by foldr »

nrp wrote: post #28
jaclaz wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, it is appropriate as a business card for an embedded systems engineers, not so much for a system security one! More seriously, I never managed to understand the "obsession" with ROHS (this here is just an example): >I made sure to have a lead-free process—the boards, parts, and solder paste are all RoHS—so that I wouldn't feel bad about giving them to people. I mean, you are creating something that (besides bei…

It’s actually probably harder these days to build something that isn’t RoHS compliant as a hobbyist than one that is. The vast majority of what you can buy from Digikey and Mouser and whatnot will be compliant, PCB shops will mostly do lead-free HASL (though you’d want ENIG anyway if you’re going to use a stencil), and lead-free solder pastes are more common than leaded ones. Basically you’ll probably have to either…

Most of the Chinese board fabs will sell you prototype-quality boards for a lower price if you use a leaded HASL finish (e.g. https://jlcpcb.com/quote#/?orderType=1&stencilWidth=100&sten...)

HASL is perfectly usable with stencils, in my experience.

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#40

Post by foldr »

jaclaz wrote: post #24
Aardwolf wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's very considerate to not add lead to a business card people may put in their pockets.

Sure, the lead may cross one or two layers of cloth and migrate from the pocket to your skin and bite you. More considerate would be to provide the card in a protecting sleeve (that would protect from all the bad, bad substances it may contain) or just use a good, ol' plain paper business card, posibly printed with "bioetical" ink.

>Sure, the lead may cross one or two layers of cloth and migrate from the pocket to your skin and bite you.

You get it on your hands and then ingest it when you eat. (People don't usually wash their hands after touching a business card.)

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