[NTLUG:Discuss] MSN Companion and Linux

[Daniel Hauck]

A few people have asked me privately where this device can be acquired so
cheaply, so I'll respond publically:

Message at
http://www.linux-hacker.net/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/UltraBoard.pl?Action=ShowPost
&Board=MSNCompanion&Post=182&Idle=0&Sort=0&Order=Descend&Page=0&Session=

---
IA-1's are back in stock at TigerDirect.com for $99.99 - they also have the
D-Link USB/Ethernet for $29.99.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=C86
0-A783
They also have new units for $139.99...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=C86
0-IA1

I called, and the refurbs are in stock - if the last batch was any
indication, they won't last long.
---


----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Hauck" <xdesign at hotmail.com>
To: <discuss at ntlug.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2001 1:01 AM
Subject: [NTLUG:Discuss] MSN Companion and Linux


> 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?
>
>
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