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My Business Card Runs Linux

thirtythreeforty.net

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Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#51

Post by Legogris »

glaberficken wrote: post #32

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 se…

Not exactly what you're asking for, but you may enjoy Shenzhen I/O and other titles from Zachtronics: http://www.zachtronics.com/shenzhen-io/

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#52

Post by detaro »

swiley wrote: post #47
glandium wrote: post #14

Waw, I wasn't expecting the components to be that cheap. That said I haven't bought such components in a very long while.

It’s QFN though so you need a reflow oven to make the boards at home. I’ve had bad experiences with the allwinner chips (the boards I had years ago were very unstable) but the mainline kernel support is very exciting. That you can order a few phones built around them now too is just awesome.

For a few individual, small and one-sided boards you can get surprisingly good results with just a hot plate.

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#54

Post by jacquesm »

jlg23 wrote: post #33
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 ;)

I'd say that's a business opportunity lost.

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#55

Post by 6510 »

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?

I'm worried that the potential employer infects the card, uses it to take over their competitor personal computer network and appends: "Don't forget! The S in IoT stands for Security!" to all of their documents and audio files. Then the traffic lights after we colonize mars will be like "It is safe to cross. Don't forget!..." and some ATM on the moon will be like "Thanks for using the bank of the moon. Don't forget!..."

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#56

Post by nrp »

glandium wrote: post #14

Waw, I wasn't expecting the components to be that cheap. That said I haven't bought such components in a very long while.

It is an unusually cheap system, and OP clearly did some thorough research on finding a really well integrated SoC that is available for super low piece part prices. I'd guess Allwinner targets that part at some ultra high volume application and some AliExpress sellers managed to capture some trays of excess parts to sell individually. I wouldn't be surprised if the unit price there is lower than what Allwinner quotes for volume.

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#57

Post by 6510 »

exikyut wrote: post #48

My eyebrows went up when I saw the processor was so cheap, but then I went and found a datasheet for it and... $1.42 buys - ARM926EJS core at 900MHz consuming 54mA when on and idle - 32MB DDR RAM - 720p H264 @ 30fps hardware decode - Audio DAC capable of 192kHz over I2S - USB OTG (not full host) - LCD RGB (FPC) interface at either 1024x600 or 1280x720 @ 60fps - Touchpanel I/O Sources: https://www.cnx-software.com/201…

But can it run doom?

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#58

Post by onion2k »

nl wrote: post #17
bsaul wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After reading the post, i was under the impression that the author really did some shopping for major components and assembled everything into a fun shape. Obviously i know nothing about electronic board design, so could you explain which extraordinary skill this required ? EDIT : ok, i missed the part where he actually designed the whole board, obviously..

Embedded systems engineers are (usually) paid a lot less than full stack engineers. Edit: I seem to be getting (a lot!) of downvotes on this. I thought it was quite well known, but apparently not. Full Stack Engineer salary: $93,598 [1] Embedded Software Engineer salary: $74,758[2] [1] https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Full_Stack_Engineer... [2] https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Embedded_Engineer/S...

LinkedIn reports embedded software engineer wages are a bit higher than the number Payscale gives - https://www.linkedin.com/salary/embedded-software-engineer-s... - still lower than the full stack engineer level but certainly within the same ballpark.

I suspect the number is biased to the type of website that's gathering the data. Maybe employees of higher paying companies don't report their salaries on Payscale.

Re: My Business Card Runs Linux

#60

Post by hombre_fatal »

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #42
nl wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Embedded systems engineers are (usually) paid a lot less than full stack engineers. Edit: I seem to be getting (a lot!) of downvotes on this. I thought it was quite well known, but apparently not. Full Stack Engineer salary: $93,598 [1] Embedded Software Engineer salary: $74,758[2] [1] https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Full_Stack_Engineer... [2] https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Embedded_Engineer/S...

Don't know why the downvotes either. Its not intuitive, but a sad fact of life and just the way supply and demand works.

> but a sad fact of life and just the way supply and demand works

It's only hubris that makes us discount the importance and difficulty of, say, web client design and implementation.

How many developers on HN poo-poo "UX" yet don't even have a single fleshed out README on any of their products because it's "not important"?

Turns out raw low-level tech skills aren't the be-all of software and business.

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