Tout vient à point pour qui sait attendre...

The EFIKA demo will be on the show floor at the annual National Instruments gathering. NIWeek 07 begins next week. You will find the EFIKA demo with P.J. Tanzillo, the LabVIEW Embedded Product Manager, and Jason Bornhorst, the Engineer that created more than a demo. Jason took LabVIEW, an EFIKA and a super idea to build a LabVIEW system solution that works. And, that Friends gets right to the whole point!

Thanks and great work PJ and Jason!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

Making the Connection

Back in February, we wrote a blog titled Web 3.0. The YouTube video we featured created some solid attraction and helped validate the discussion.

In front of the Vortaunusmuseum, Oberursel

Of course, the biggest cities have the "biggest brands" - New York, Paris, Tokyo, etc. Most people do not know Oberursel (Taunus) is a town in Germany and that it is located northwest of Frankfurt am Main. Oberursel is the second largest town in the county of Hochtaunuskreis and the 14th largest town in Hesse. More details can be obtained online...

In the world there are many markets - this one is in Oberursel

The Internet is driving people actually closer together contrary to what was suspected and even feared. Searching for something or somebody online actually trends to more than what Google can offer. Eventually, we will meet face to face. Being There and proximity meets the internet are the next big things. Come visit us in Oberursel when we are there and you have a chance.

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

High-Performance Transparent Network Filter

EFIKA Project #317 is now a Power Project. Joachim J. Wlodarz is building a High-Performance Transparent Network Filter with an EFIKA. You can download the first version on his Project page.

Joachim at work

EFIKA at work

New development is underway - for the EFIKA and the Wlodarz Family!

Congratulations Joachim. Please keep those little guys busy!

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R&B

Making Computers Easy and Fun Again...

EFIKA Project #338 has been updated today. We like what we see!

...and so does Harvard's CHS

Nice work Johan and Maria!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

An Open and Shut Case

The EFIKA Snapscan case has a How-To: Building a cheap (and cool) EFIKA case.

User and Developer Creativity is as strong as ever!

We like the Via rating!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

EFIKA bella!

An EFIKA on a bus in Italy (with a group of nice people) - maybe next year we will be there too.

EFIKA bella!

It looks like you organized a great event Michael. Amiga Forever!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

Looking Good!

Earlier this week in genesibook reloaded we discussed the user interface. It is of particular interest to us as we prepare for a whole new generation of users.

Johan Dams is integrating this UI into EFIKA Project #338

Just Enough Computing could also be organized in this way. A Project #338 administrator can publish applications and provide information about those applications, or news updates, new features, or whatever else is important in such an interface. Relevant libraries of data, blogging links, images, and more can be integrated into the interface, producing a fully integrated look and feel for small or large communities. Web browser real estate is valuable. Come to think of it the network is part of the service and selecting one network over another is worth something also. We should even be able to sell a few servers in this way (for example, EFIKA Open Client - VDI Total Cost of Ownership Calculator).

Stay tuned for more details on Project #338 and the world travels of Johan and Maria.

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

$99 is Getting More Affordable!

The US$ has continued to tumble, reaching a 26-year low against the pound (now at US$2.05/£) and an all-time low against the Euro (~US$1.38/Euro). Some of this negative momentum can probably be explained by subprime worries and signs that the US consumer could be retrenching a bit (retail sales fell from +1.5% to –0.9% in June). However, there are also plenty of signs that the US economy could have turned a corner (Louis-Vincent Gave, GaveKal Research).

$99 is looking better and better!

In the meanwhile, Intel (Public, NASDAQ:INTC) shares fell nearly 5% yesterday after disappointing profit margins were posted for the latest quarter. Intel blamed the decreasing average selling price of its microprocessors and weak demand for NOR flash memory chips. It seems fair to mention that Intel's stock has risen 25% in the past quarter. Intel boasts an improved lineup of microprocessors and a restructuring that has eliminated 10% of its workforce and $2 billion in costs. In the three month period ending on 30 June, Intel sold almost $9 billion worth of products.

With all that going for Intel how in the world can the EFIKA survive?! And, how about VIA and whatever they have in the pipeline (something without a fan maybe?).

In the meanwhile, over here in PowerPC-land, the Sony PS3 dual OS strategy (GameOS and Linux) allows Linux to talk to a hypervisor API. Linux still does not have wireless, bluetooth or graphics support beyond framebuffer mode, but you can still almost get everything the EFIKA-based Open Client offers (Platform Support - Cell Broadband Engine).* It seems IBM is only concerned about positioning the PS3 as a cluster node so they can sell another some-hundreds-of-million-dollar supercomputer to a Government buyer. IBM is selling the CELL processor and is pushing instruction set architecture adoption around the 'Power Architecture Technology' by addressing the game console market (vs. the mobile device market or the better-tread-lightly everything else Intel market).

Just Enough Computing is going to be just enough, just you wait and see. For most of the world's demand, the average selling price of microprocessors will continue to fall. $99 is just enough and is getting better. Just enough power consumption, just enough performance and just enough to do enough for less.

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

*The PS3 has wireless support now, bluetooth worked more or less from the beginning and the graphic support is still mediated by the hypervisor. Much has been done by developers with the support of Sony on the userland side with some nice applications getting nicer and hopefully newer and even easier ways to access the SPU (see xcpu - one of those big government laboratories...). All things considered, we expect full Linux support as just described in the 2.6.23 or .24 kernel. Lastly, graphic support is becoming less of a issue as talented developers do more with the current framebuffer that is actually quite fast.

Thanks Luca for the update!

genesibook reloaded

More than a year ago we posted this rendering of what an EFIKA-based Genesi tablet could look like (genesibook). We now know that we can produce this device in volumes of 100,000 units or more at roughly $100 (currency fluctuations as they are). The complete system runs at 10-15W - it is greentech.

We can make this in various sizes, but we would start with a 7 inch version. It can be deployed as an Open Client (USB keyboard/mouse) or as a regular stand-alone desktop (see Just Enough Computing).

To make this device useful to developers we reduce the compile-link-debug cycle dramatically by making available access to the PowerDeveloper GRID. Applications/Operating Systems can boot using HTTP (it works fine) and GRID subscriptions can be introduced for various purposes.

A smartcard plugs in to the side of the case to allow for authentication and also helps set up the authorization and accounting necessary to move computing to a more secure and reliable level. Everything else should be ready to go. We have the EFIKA, GPU support, touchscreen, webcam, and plenty of useful software. The genesibook could even link directly to a updated and modified version of the High Density Blade Server.

In Making Network we pictured Fluxbox with Dillo modified

Completely organized, you have a total system-network closed or open source solution that allows the administrator to publish applications and provide information about those applications, or news updates, new features, or whatever in a uniform interface. You can even integrate relevant libraries of data, blogging, images, and more into the user interface, producing a fully integrated look and feel for small or large communities to manipulate as needed. There is a lot to think about, and we are. With AURA and the right silicon integration over time... WOW!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

AURA is System Enablement

AURA can target any processor architecture. AURA started on the EFIKA and the Freescale MPC5200B/512X. You can increase your speed to market with AURA.

AURA is now positioned to expand to other architectures

AURA abstracts the physical hardware with firmware and establishes a common interface between supported hardware and supported software.

AURA allows systems to be verified faster. Existing operating system and applications fully functional on one SoC (or system) can be moved to another.

AURA also provides a framework for feature expansion before or after market introduction by creating a soft modification option. This can shield customers from manufacturing or design errors and keeps development schedules on time and within budget.

AURA compounds investment in design, manufacturing, and product development by enabling soft modification, extending shelf life and increasing target markets.

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

SceneCON Reloaded

We wrote about SceneCON last month. Now, you can watch the presentation...

SceneCON EFIKA Presentation (Hungarian with English subtitles)

The Open Client awarded at the Event has been given to the OpenWRT Project. More details will be posted there soon. The announcement was made on hup.hu earlier this week. The OpenWRT project has shown their excellence in providing highly optimized, feature-rich builds for small and embedded systems and now their aim is to open the distro to platforms like the EFIKA/Open Client. However, before the Open Client reaches its final destination, SceneCON organizer, Karoly Balogh will be making a television presentation of XGL/compiz and MorphOS 2.0.

Karoly, you are a digital rock star. Köszönöm!

Thanks also go to Genesi presenter and long-time SUSE Linux Betatester, Peter Czanik and Imre Szigeti (or Emeric to friends) for the subtitle translations. Köszönöm!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

Application Ready Silicon

At the beginning of the day, that is what is all about. The chip is designed and produced, a board is made and the system is assembled. As long as the cost of porting the OS/application and all the device drivers is more expensive than the efficiencies found in optimizing an old chip (or a number of older chips) the same part will be in inventory a long time. That said, portfolio reduction does not need to mean customer disengagement. It is time to lower cost by approaching an old challenge in a new way. We can even pass some of the advantage over to the customer.

QNX on the Dual G4 Marvell Discovery V Development Board

Everything is the same, except the 5200B based EFIKA

Yesterday, QNX Software Systems introduced AURA at a distributor meeting (US Letter, A4). Actually, what they introduced was newly supported hardware. The EFIKA was featured - and there is so much more to come. Using AURA, totally different hardware can use the exact same QNX boot image/root file system. We can partner with QNX to add, fix or change features without silicon or board redesign. We are saving customers money and getting things done faster. QNX is now a Preferred Operating System - and there is so much more to come. Any bets on which OS, or board, or application is next?

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

EFIKAbot

Actually, Capek Robot is the given name of the focus for EFIKA Project #697. The Robot was designed for navigating in indoor office environments.

Professor Kevin Nickels of Trinity University and the EFIKA-power Capek Robot

Kevin updated his EFIKA Project Blog yesterday. It sounds like he is making good progress. It is his intention to test both Linux and QNX on the device. We are looking forward to each Project Blog update.

Great work Kevin!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

Green Doesn't Have To Make You Blue!

But, it could...

Zonbu has done an absolutely great job on developing and initiating their marketing plan. They have even started a developer program.

Hey! That looks familiar!

We like the approach of teaming up with the open source community, but it could be so much more _too_. So, as we wait, what do you think:

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

Wall to Wall Open Client

We admit, we had some trouble getting an Open Client to Pat Wall. A couple of months ago we started to fulfill all our orders worldwide through Directron.com. While we have shipped lots as big as 50 to individual resellers and clusters of users, our primary means of fulfillment will remain Directron.com for sometime.

Hey Pat! Thanks for your patience.
We hope you like the EFIKA Open Client!

The objective is to be able to provide resellers worldwide with the means to offer the EFIKA at $99 and while that remains attractive the real opportunity is in assembling and supporting complete systems and packages of systems: for individuals, companies, institutions and governments. We are working on standardized offerings for Internet cafes, schools, businesses and governments with a range of server and network providers.

In the meanwhile, we will do our best to get the supply chain a bit more robust and organized. Thanks again Pat! We appreciate your interest and support.

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

MacMigaEFIKA

Mark Benson, also know as MacMiga to his friends, is the Secretary & Webmaster of the LINCOLNSHIRE AMIGA GROUP. Picking up on the EFIKA case work from Axel Knabe, Mark and Gary Goddard (the club Treasurer) also decided to build an EFIKA case out of a 5.25" external drive case.

Nice work! Nice Case!

To Mark and Gary we send a big thank you very much for documenting this on PowerDeveloper (EFIKA case thread, Post #58) and presenting the EFIKA with nifty new case at the next LINCS Amiga gathering.

User involvement is key to Community success. Thanks Mark!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

EFIKA & MorphOS

ShowGirls is developed by Michal 'kiero' Wozniak

MorphOS 2.0 brings not only a new OS release, but a host of applications developed by a motivated group of Developers all over the world. These applications have been tested and work with the EFIKA.

...and there is much more to come! A big vielen Dank to Jochen Rhein, Guido Mersmann and Axel Knabe without whose help all these applications could not have been tested nor all the screenshots collected. And, thanks to all the happy people that support MorphOS on the EFIKA! It is fun and it is GREAT!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

Akinori's EFIKA

Akinori Tsuji is an Engineer at the University of Tokushima located on the beautiful Japanese island of Shikoku. Akinori is developing an embedded image processing system using the EFIKA.

With the Happy Hacking keyboard, USB speakers, USB mouse and
small touchscreen VGA monitor the Open Client looks big!

To Akinori we send a big domo arigato gozaimasu! He has translated the EFIKA Book (now in 15 languages) into Japanese.

Dozo yoroshiku - Ikimasho!

The Community is the Computer - a Super Computer. Go Zig!

R&B

Who's Whose Amiga?

We received this letter yesterday. It is surprising after all these years they thought to send it.

This Letter seems to create more questions than answers. On a side note, it will be interesting to see if Amiga Inc. pay out the $2.5 million they have obligated themselves to pay to the City of Kent, Washington or if the situation with OS4 evolves to an effective conclusion. It is hard to imagine where Amiga Inc. goes from here, but it seems Amiga is about to become something else yet again.

R&B