OLinuXino, a serious Rasberry Pi competitor?

[Nico Coesel]

I wonder if Conitec had portrayed their board as a educational
non-profit board would they have had thousands of people clamoring to
buy one, and the price would have dropped to a reasonable level ??

Perhaps. But others boards are not really cheap either. However, the
performance of the Conitec board is very poor. The same price will buy
you a board with an 800MHz Cortex A8 CPU and 512MB of memory. It seems
Conitec moved itself into the market of professional device
programmers. Over a decade ago I bought one of their Galep
programmers. Really nice but nowadays you can buy a Chinese programmer
for 1/10th the price Conitec is charging.

Building 100 of anything is expensive, build 10,000 can get cheap in a
hurry.

Exactly. Imagine being able to put something together on a piece of
stripboard or a PCB you etch yourself and put some real processing
horsepower into it for a small amount of money.

 

[Don McKenzie]

I see no mounting holes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Raspberry_Pi_Beta_Board.jpg

was the first video found by google, and it has a power plug and holes.

Have removed both in later versions?

Cheers Don...

===================


--
Don McKenzie

Dontronics: http://www.dontronics-shop.com/

DuinoMite the PIC32 $35 Basic Computer-MicroController
http://www.dontronics-shop.com/the-maximite-computer.html
Just add a VGA monitor or TV, and PS2 Keyboard.
Arduino Shield, Programmed in Basic, or C.

 

[hamilton]

was the first video found by google, and it has a power plug and holes.

Have removed both in later versions?

Cheers Don...

===================

I think an opportunity to make a plastic case that captures this board
with holes for the connectors. (won't need holes in the board)

Maybe that's what they were thinking of doing, get another revenue
source flowing.

 

[Nico Coesel]

was the first video found by google, and it has a power plug and holes.

Have removed both in later versions?

This is clearly a Broadcom evaluation board. Not the RP itself.

 

[keithr]

All the pictures and user guide show NO mounting holes and was discussed
early in rPI thread. Without ability to mount on or in something for
education it will be a nightmare. Let alone more will be "lost" or
is sometimes known as "trousered".

Power is by MicroB USB connector, and takes 700mA according to User
Guide. So I see a lot of problems with crappy cables being used to power
it and PCs complaining about over current.

Why would you want to power it from a PC? A wall wart would be a much
better idea, it is a standalone system after all it doesn't need a PC
connection to program it like an Arduino.

 

[Paul]

Why would you want to power it from a PC? A wall wart would be a much
better idea, it is a standalone system after all it doesn't need a PC
connection to program it like an Arduino.

Firstly it is suggested by them to use an MP3/camera/phone USB to microB
cable in the user guide.

Secondly the base price does not include a wall wart. I don't think it
even includes a USB cable either.

Thirdly because that is what people WILL be doing

A classromm with computers already why get out wall warts (which at
least one kid will trouser as he could do with one or thjinks it will be
cool).

A classroom with other computers already there teacher does not have
to hand out an extra thing.

People at home forget to get a wall wart or take board to show someone
else or nerdy kid takes with him to 'play' with elsewhere and forgets
wall wart.

Someone travelling between countries and different shaped holes in walls
so wall wart does not work.


--
Paul Carpenter | [email protected]
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/> PC Services
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<http://www.badweb.org.uk/> For those web sites you hate

 

[keithr]

Firstly it is suggested by them to use an MP3/camera/phone USB to microB
cable in the user guide.

Secondly the base price does not include a wall wart. I don't think it
even includes a USB cable either.

A wall wart with included micro USB connector costs less that 10 bucks.
That is if you don't have one already, virtually every smartphone other
than Apple's products use them as a charger.

Thirdly because that is what people WILL be doing

What makes you think that? It makes no sense to do so

A classromm with computers already why get out wall warts (which at
least one kid will trouser as he could do with one or thjinks it will be
cool).

Not if they have a bunch at home already

A classroom with other computers already there teacher does not have
to hand out an extra thing.

You don't hand them out, they are set up in the computer lab already
along with the screen, mouse and keyboard.

People at home forget to get a wall wart or take board to show someone
else or nerdy kid takes with him to 'play' with elsewhere and forgets
wall wart.

USB wall warts are ubiquitous.

Someone travelling between countries and different shaped holes in walls
so wall wart does not work.

Most USB wall warts are of the universal voltage type, you just buy a
cheap adaptor. I even have one that came with slip in connectors that
cover 90% of the power sockets in use in the world.

 

[Arlet Ottens]

A classromm with computers already why get out wall warts (which at

least one kid will trouser as he could do with one or thjinks it will be
cool).

A classroom with other computers already there teacher does not have
to hand out an extra thing.

If the classroom already has computers, you don't need to get the
Raspberry Pi at all. Just let the kids use the regular computers.

 

[Paul]

If the classroom already has computers, you don't need to get the
Raspberry Pi at all. Just let the kids use the regular computers.

Yes you do as IT services will not allow loading of packet sniffers
practicals with network addressing, subnets and a myriad of other things
done to those systems.

Bad enough finding accessible places from classrooms for ftp, telnet
even ping practicals.

Most people have no idea what is taught in classrooms

--
Paul Carpenter | [email protected]
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/> PC Services
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/fonts/> Timing Diagram Font
<http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/> GNU H8 - compiler & Renesas H8/H8S/H8 Tiny
<http://www.badweb.org.uk/> For those web sites you hate

 

[Paul]

A wall wart with included micro USB connector costs less that 10 bucks.
That is if you don't have one already, virtually every smartphone other
than Apple's products use them as a charger.


What makes you think that? It makes no sense to do so


Not if they have a bunch at home already


You don't hand them out, they are set up in the computer lab already
along with the screen, mouse and keyboard.


USB wall warts are ubiquitous.


Most USB wall warts are of the universal voltage type, you just buy a
cheap adaptor. I even have one that came with slip in connectors that
cover 90% of the power sockets in use in the world.

Reality is especially in classrooms budgets are tight so 20 to 30 of
these is not prctical causes problems of time wasted, making sure all
bits are together at beginning and returned at end of class, let alone
whose got a dodgy one to debug.

How many wall warts and the USB cables are speced for 5V @ 700mA.

You are comparing your situation to be the same as everybody else.

--
Paul Carpenter | [email protected]
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/> PC Services
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/fonts/> Timing Diagram Font
<http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/> GNU H8 - compiler & Renesas H8/H8S/H8 Tiny
<http://www.badweb.org.uk/> For those web sites you hate

 

[keithr]

Reality is especially in classrooms budgets are tight so 20 to 30 of
these is not prctical causes problems of time wasted, making sure all
bits are together at beginning and returned at end of class, let alone
whose got a dodgy one to debug.

How many wall warts and the USB cables are speced for 5V @ 700mA.

You are comparing your situation to be the same as everybody else.

There is nothing special about my situation, it is just the same as most
other people.

 

[Arlet Ottens]

Yes you do as IT services will not allow loading of packet sniffers
practicals with network addressing, subnets and a myriad of other things
done to those systems.

Bad enough finding accessible places from classrooms for ftp, telnet
even ping practicals.

If the IT dept is concerned about that, they would be equally concerned
about Raspberry Pi boards being loaded with packet sniffers and other
software.

There's no fundamental difference, except that the Pi is smaller, and
doesn't come with a case.

If you don't want the students to have full access to the computers,
just set up a virtual machine for each student. If you're worried about
the students messing up the network, configure the host machine as a
firewall, or have an external firewall to isolate the entire classroom.

 

[Nico Coesel]

Reality is especially in classrooms budgets are tight so 20 to 30 of
these is not prctical causes problems of time wasted, making sure all
bits are together at beginning and returned at end of class, let alone
whose got a dodgy one to debug.

Thats true. I don't think the RP is very suitable for use in a
classroom. Its too fragile.

How many wall warts and the USB cables are speced for 5V @ 700mA.

How many are not? Most are rated 1A and 2A is on its way.

 

[Nico Coesel]

On top of that it needs 5V *stabilized*.
That is a big problem, it should have been 7 to 20 V unstabilized,
or 2 to 20V unstabilized,
so you could use it in a car or some battery powered system.
the extra regulator is expensive.
Most new stuff works on 3.3V or some type of Li Ion battery,

I made a little 9-20V to +5 V switcher with USB connector to charge a real Chinese mediaplayer I have,
that because I have plenty 12V wall warts.
Adds an other 5$ at least even if DIY.

You know about Dealextreme.com? You probably could have saved some
money and clear some space by throwing the 12V wall warts away .

 

[hamilton]

If the classroom already has computers, you don't need to get the
Raspberry Pi at all. Just let the kids use the regular computers.

I love it that the old guys are telling the new kid what to do.

Maybe the RPi has a plan that does not include the legacy path for
teaching computers.

Getting people to help reduce the cost buy selling to the general public
(like OLPC).

Why not just wait till the other shoe drops.

hamilton

 

[Arlet Ottens]

Oh, I forgot to mention WHY I did the separate charger...
The PC USB port would switch itself off because of too much current,
IIRC it is only 600mA in the spec? Not sure.
If the strawberry pie is indeed 700mA that will promise a whole
lot of fun on a whole lot of peesees.

The USB 2.0 spec only allows for 500 mA maximum current after the device
has been configured. Unconfigured devices are only allowed 100 mA. For
devices that require more than 100 mA, the configuration is only done
after the host first reads the current requirement, and has determined
that it can still supply it. For instance, a 4 port bus-powered USB hub
can only support 4 devices if they have a max 100 mA requirement.

Cell phone/battery chargers with a USB type plug are not limited to
those currents, and can typically supply more.

 

[Paul]

Thats true. I don't think the RP is very suitable for use in a
classroom. Its too fragile.


How many are not? Most are rated 1A and 2A is on its way.

The mahority of USB wall warts people have are for phones in the 100 to
3000mA range to keep costs and weight down.

USB Wall warts initially inteneded for particular pseudo USB devices
can be anything and most rely on being able to grab 100mA easily
from any USB port, so the wall wart replicates that.

--
Paul Carpenter | [email protected]
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/> PC Services
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/fonts/> Timing Diagram Font
<http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/> GNU H8 - compiler & Renesas H8/H8S/H8 Tiny
<http://www.badweb.org.uk/> For those web sites you hate

 

[Paul]

If the IT dept is concerned about that, they would be equally concerned
about Raspberry Pi boards being loaded with packet sniffers and other
software.

There's no fundamental difference, except that the Pi is smaller, and
doesn't come with a case.

If you don't want the students to have full access to the computers,
just set up a virtual machine for each student. If you're worried about
the students messing up the network, configure the host machine as a
firewall, or have an external firewall to isolate the entire classroom.

Which all cost money and time, and obviously you have never seen how
long it takes to get computer infrastucture changed in large
organisations with limited budgets. Normally IT services are staffed
by no hopers as the wages are so low, and have diktats because they
read about a security problem in the National Inquirer.

There are BOFH as in Bastard but more often Brainless

--
Paul Carpenter | [email protected]
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/> PC Services
<http://www.pcserviceselectronics.co.uk/fonts/> Timing Diagram Font
<http://www.gnuh8.org.uk/> GNU H8 - compiler & Renesas H8/H8S/H8 Tiny
<http://www.badweb.org.uk/> For those web sites you hate

 

[hamilton]

I think an opportunity to make a plastic case that captures this board
with holes for the connectors. (won't need holes in the board)
http://elinux.org/RPi_Cases



Maybe that's what they were thinking of doing, get another revenue
source flowing.

 

[Chris Baird]

David> too little ram

64MB! (and promises it running Android!)

Even a programming language like Haskell, run from the command line,
needs more core than that. C++ programs can easy need 200MB+ of real RAM
to compile.

Sell it for $10 GST+shipping.inc, and you might find a market.

David> Part of the reason is that it is non-profit - it appeals to free
David> software developers. It will take a lot more to persuade these
David> people to do the same thing again, only for less exciting
David> hardware with more limitations, and to benefit a commercial
David> company that is making these boards for profit.

Exactly.