Check It Out!

This is the real thing!

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

R&B

Happy Holidays!

From us and our family to you and yours...

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

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

R&B

EFIKA Project Santa

*Updated*

Christmas Sleigh Navigation System tests successfully!

Santa is all systems go!

Tonight is the big night!

The Community is the Computer.

Go Santa! Go!*

R&B

* Keep track of Santa's progress by following the link!

More Seasons Greetings!

This was a few years ago, but most of our
important associations are still the same

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

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

R&B

State of the Union

For the more than two years we have concentrated our efforts on the EFIKA. The EFIKA has been developed with a succession of chips, first the 5200, then the 5200B and the 5121e. There were actually two versions of the 5200B. Developing a SoC can be a challenge. Developing a board based on a SoC can create even greater difficulties.

Readme (17.2.2005)

The reason we have focused on this family of chips is that we found no better performance per watt or per dollar to meet the growing requirements of mobile devices and consumer electronics. We were attracted to the 5200 because it was "mobile" already in cars and consumer oriented. Our feeling was that transitions to progressive performance and integration would be pushed ahead by the automobile industry. It sounds funny to think that optimization and ability for a secondary feature in a car would drive the technology, but that is what money and volume does to the semiconductor industry. We could see the embedded and general purpose markets drawing together and we knew we could not compete with Apple or the interest of Intel.

In the meanwhile, from a marketing perspective with Apple's departure to Intel, PowerPC became the Power Architecture technology. New wine went into old wineskins. While dominance was claimed in the game console business (blithely ignoring the PC-game industry), in fact, as with Apple, it is what the end user device does that drives the market and not what the processor can offer. The current reprieve is that the XBox, PS and Wii have longer development cycles than the PC (as does the embedded market in general). It is the content and interaction of the total platform that attracts and abides -- that should be the focus as this is what drives the business. The watchword is community not ecosystem. The PSP does not use Power. Folks are finally waking up to the challenges coming from other architectures and the changing market requirements.

The increasing demand for application mobility and lower cost, whether communication or media oriented, is driving performance parameters in new directions. That is all actually good news for us and those that have supported our platforms. Power can scale from low to high end to address the performance needs of most applications. We are focused where we can be the most competitive. The objective was to abstract the hardware as the technology evolved. Having a fully integrated platform (hardware, firmware, software, tools and a community of collaborative users and developers) that allowed for the progressive development of the core intellectual property was the key. There is a good example of the evolution in progress.

EFIKA.TV will be wherever you are

Consumer devices, including game consoles, Digital TV and set-top boxes, and even portable media and video communication devices need what the Power can offer. Have a look at the 8610 when you have time (please note there is altivec). With mobile networks opening up, a new category of device will emerge. This won't be as strictly controlled by the carriers as it has been. They need traffic and other wireless options are emerging. There is change afoot. Imagine the power of a direct artist-audience or buyer-seller driven network. That can work for nearly any application.

The latest rage in the chip industry is consumer applications. As investment in semiconductor technologies have become increasingly expensive the industry has finally begun to look for new ways to create distinction. We think aura is system enablement. The goal is application ready silicon. We seek a union that can't be left behind.

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

R&B

Bamboo for You?!

The new Asus Eco Book has a case made of laminated bamboo and is available in different colors.

Peek-a-boo it's bamboo!

The first Apple came in a wooden box and there have been many PegasosPPC and EFIKA that ended up in a variety of cases. It is hard to say what our favorite has been.

The shipping box itself was probably the most practical
...and the Holiday wrapping made it festive too!

OLPC helped bring attention to the opportunity at the so-called Base of the Pyramid (Thinking BoP). The rush is on to reduce cost.

OLPC costs, November 2007

It will be interesting to see how many companies paint themselves into the commoditization trap. Smart phone pioneer High Tech Computer Corp. (Public, TPE:2498) comes to mind. They are in the process of switching strategies and trying to build up a brand name of their own. Like many other Taiwanese companies, HTC built a nice business as an ODM. That worked well for years, but the rise of China and the exodus of Taiwanese manufacturing to low-cost factories on the mainland has increasingly made that model unsustainable. In the meanwhile, you can be sure that the new communication-computing users that will be pushing up the Pyramid will be just as happy with a cardboard box they can afford as they will a snazzy bamboo laptop they still can't. The real key is customization. Oh, and please pass the gift paper and maybe even some colored markers. Let's make it fine and mine!

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

R&B

The Electricity Costs More than the Server

Here is a good interview with the CEO of Rackable Systems, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:RACK).

Power, cooling and density

Power, cooling and density are three words that do not go together naturally, but a bunch of supply and demand issues are compressing the nature of what has become essential, one variable at a time. Google is probably the largest single corporate user of electricity in the world. There is a reason for Google's Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal initiative. We like Sun's Project Blackbox. The underground datacenter in the Japanese coal mine is a novel twist. Sun claims a single Blackbox can hold up to 2,000 cores, providing 8,000 simultaneous processing threads.

In the meanwhile, the latest and greatest iMac comes with a configure-to-order option of a 1TB hard drive. Apparently, the iMac meets the Energy Star 4.0 requirements. It seems there are still many people that want their stuff where they are and not somewhere else for whatever reason or cost.

Market forces are going to increasingly drive the industry toward more power efficiency whether it be in the datacenter or with the end user. Low Power, Low Temperature, High Reliability has been our mantra for some time.

How many of these do you think they can build?
Ultimately, it is about productivity.

The 32-bit Power Architecture still feels good, because efficiency will fuel the next round of communication-computing growth -- we are thinking about the code too, as fewer cycles are better!

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

R&B

EFIKA.TV

The latest rage in the chip industry is consumer applications. As investment in semiconductor technologies have become increasingly expensive the industry has finally begun to look for new ways to create distinction. A faster processor at a higher frequency is not enough. We think aura is system enablement. The goal is application ready silicon.

EFIKA.TV is a good example

Please have a look at Guido Mersmann's EFIKA Project #341 or Grzegorz Kraszewski's EFIKA Project #163. As they continue to progress, our goal is to deliver to them (and many others) a hardware platform that supports these developments whether it be an EFIKA2, a Pegasos III/ODW2 (who knows, why not?!) or some new, completely different Power-based hardware platform.

There is much more happening behind the
interface to keep what is seen the same

According to today's WSJ, Internet users in the U.S. viewed 9.13 billion online videos in August, up 26% from 7.24 billion in January. Joost is a cool new site for video viewing, and of course there is YouTube and many, many others. NBC alone says it streamed 50 million shows from its site during October. Keeping a consistent user interface is just part of the trick. Developing a common interface between systems and software is what is in our minds. This ought to keep us moving ahead faster and faster, soon!

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

R&B

Power Posts

We have placed the credit were the credit is due in the last couple of posts and we want to take that one step farther today.

They keep the Community going!

Possible benefits - optimization for PowerPC
text mode login
openSUSE 11 alpha0

There are many more. This sort of participation is essential for the success of any platform. Our thanks to Peter, Gunnar, and Johan for these latest Power Posts.

So, you see, we have the Geniuses too!

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

R&B

A Few More Nice Words

We will post a Press Release on Monday, but in the meanwhile let's throw a bit more attention at the sites we want to recognize with an Honorable Mention.

2007 Genesi Web Award Honorable Mention

The EFIKA Book
PPCNux
MorphOS News
Gentoo Wiki EFIKA
AmigaWeb

A few more nice words: Thanks Folks! Nice Work! Without your support and participation we would not still be here. Congratulations!

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

R&B

Developer and User Playground

Google (Public, NASDAQ:GOOG) stock sprinted past $700/share yesterday. So far, the stock is holding firm today. Google also launched a Mac Developer Playground yesterday (at least that is when we figured out it was there). We will know we arrived when we get one of those. In the meanwhile, we continue to do the heavy lifting on the PowerPC end user market (Keeping the PowerPC Dream Alive). From a corporate perspective, it sure gets pretty lonely out here!

Announcing the 2007 Genesi Web Awards

We do our best to keep PowerDeveloper moving along. There are many solid and regular contributors. We genuinely appreciate your participation. Thanks!

What we would like to do today is recognize (in no particular order) our Web Award Winners for 2007. Here they are:

OpenSuSE EFIKA Quickstart
Pegasos.org (Sweden)
Czech PUG
PegasosForum.de
Pegasos Hungary

With the exception of the SuSE EFIKA Quickstart guide, the sites have each been active nearly five years with the advent of the PegasosPPC and the Open PowerPC Computing Platform. This led to the development of the Open Desktop Workstation and today's EFIKA and Open Client. We should also mention that Pegasos Hungary has an excellent EFIKA Wiki. Thanks Folks! Nice Work! Without your support and participation we would not still be here.

Genesi recognizes Developer and User Groups and support sites that exemplify themselves above others with the Best of Web Award. By gaining the involvement and support of an active User population, these websites help develop the market and increase the attractiveness of the platform. Currency and resources, ease of use and appearence all factor into the recognition. The more relevant they are to Developers and Users in each market and/or area of interest, the better. Congratulations!

We would also like to recognize the Honorable Mention Award winners: The EFIKA Book, PPCNux, MorphOS News, Gentoo Wiki EFIKA, and AmigaWeb. One more time: Thanks Folks! Nice Work! Without your support and participation we would not still be here.

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

R&B

A Word on Progress

According to Google Analytics, we have had visitors to our blog from 165 countries this year. If there was something else we could have done by now to get folks interested in the EFIKA we would have done it. We introduced the original EFIKA at FTF 2005 (see last paragraph).

The upcoming MorphOS 2.0 released will help to promote the EFIKA

In the two and a half years since FTF 2005 the market has evolved considerably. Two days ago, we discussed how change has effected EarthLink. Our objective was to highlight an often successful business strategy, that is, to promote the free or reduce-cost-use of products or services that are complementary to a company's core offering thereby increasing the apparent and/or true value of that core offering (be it a product or a service). Think about Amazon offering the network as a feature of the Kindle. Further, the same day (4 December), Nokia announced that next year all higher-end Nokia phones will come with music -- free -- for a year. Do you think the success of the iPhone, iPod and Apple's growing computer market share has anything to do with the Nokia announcement? We still think it will be easier for the computer to be mobile and smaller than the mobile to be a computer and more useful, but this is a good move by Nokia. The smart money in the music industry should jump all over this opportunity (Nokia will pay). Who needs the MotoROKR!?

The advantages that will accrue to the consumer for their loyal consumption will continue as long as there is competition. Recently, we mentioned we had fallen away from our strong initial interest in the Open Handset Alliance, not because the focus is ARM, but because Google is essentially orchestrating the advent of commodity mobile communication-computing hardware that serves as a platform for their Search, Ads and Apps. Please don't get us wrong, we appreciate Google very much. Google Analytics is a valuable tool. We are in the process of moving our corporate email to Gmail. We hope this will reduce the spam burden on our servers. The Google Apps look better every day. It is all about packaging what consumers already do better and more conveniently.

OK, now we are going to jump out on a limb here. Have a look:

Admin Interface, Online Commerce Engine

We developed this e-commerce tool for a customer that wanted to use technology as an instrument for branding and business expansion (processing more transactions online represents just one aspect of that expansion). We are interested in introducing operational efficiencies throughout the organization. We use this tool to optimize the supply chain by paralleling the most common tasks through the same easy-to-use and understand interface (packaging, shipping, customer support, etc.). Beyond generating a higher ratio of profit vs. expense online when compared to the profitability of a physical store, we have tried to create other examples of our intent, such as an:

- easy to use slide show editor that can bring animated content to in-store EFIKA-enabled television screens and also the website.

- inventory/forecast manager which calculates when inventories might run low for a particular product based on past sales.

- analytical tool for sales performance relative to a variety of parameters (e.g., repeat customers, geography, product bundles, etc.)

We also designed the system from inception to handle a large number of staff members that each have very specific access rights limited to their job description. The goal was to create an environment of enablement vs. dependency for a company's online presence and growth.

Remember, the idea was to sell the EFIKA.

A funny thing happened along the way. We realized it was the EFIKA that should be free. Or, said another way, in exchange for becoming a business expansion partner (perhaps for a percentage of the profits), we should provide the required technology to build a customer's brand and business. If you like how that sounds, send us an email. The whole package is easily modifiable and can be developed in many directions.

Certainly, this would be an Evolution of the Species, wouldn't it?! It is the solution and not the technology that sells. We are planning a number of projects along these lines. You will find the process of natural selection ongoing here.

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

R&B

Seasons Greetings!

We are posting our Holiday message early this year to recognize all those folks that may be trying their luck with a dreidel or la toupie. Season's Greetings to you and to everyone else.

Hello World! Spread some joy and warmth!


Peace on Earth, good will to all...

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

R&B

Today's EarthLink Newsletter

This morning we had this Newsletter from EarthLink (Public, NASDAQ:ELNK). We have been Dial-up EarthLink subscribers for nearly ten years (the Newsletter actually brought the dial-up issue to our attention - we downgraded to an email only account). A special introductory offer was bundled with an Apple laptop we purchased in 1998. The laptop featured an IBM PowerPC 750 processor and was known as the PowerBook G3.

Today's EarthLink Newsletter -- Linux for the Desktop
" That's right - free"

EarthLink, Inc. provides integrated communication services and related value-added services to individual consumers and business customers utilizing Internet Protocol, or IP, based technologies. EarthLink’s core service offerings are dial-up and wireline broadband Internet access services and value-added services. Additional service offerings include IP-based voice services, municipal wireless broadband services and services for business customers.

EarthLink 10Q
2 Nov 2007

It is very interesting to see EarthLink promoting Linux on the Desktop. We are guessing that EarthLink wants to become part of the cloud too (related: Seeing Through the Clouds & Keeping the PowerPC Dream Alive). However, it seems the best way to do that may be changing...

After thorough review and analysis of our municipal wireless business we have decided that making significant further investments in this business could be inconsistent with our objective of maximizing shareholder value, accordingly, at this time, we are considering our strategic alternatives with respect to this business.

Rolla P. Huff
EarthLink President and CEO
16 Nov 2007

What that means is that Earthlink will probably try to break up and sell (or just close) their municipal wireless businesses. EarthLink. We revolve around you™ is the marketing moniker. Here is the pitch: EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal online intrusions and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, voice, web hosting, wireless or "EarthLink Extras" like home networking or security, EarthLink connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. We have no complaints about EarthLink, but we wonder how they can compete moving ahead. They are losing money. Reading the last few posts on the recently terminated corporate blog is telling: Earthling. The Internet sure has changed things fast.

OK, so, EarthLink is promoting Linux because it is free. Others are promoting free storage of email and even documents. What is left to buy as each company does their best to be of the greatest value and marginalize others. For example, free Linux means users don't need an operating system from Microsoft. It seems Google's Search, Ads and Apps is the best approach to disintermediate as much of the competition as possible (let's see if the wireless spectrum bid was just a ploy to get the mobile operators opening up or the real-thing -- Google may bid to lose). What is left?!

1. Advertising or subscription based Internet TV.

2. Pay-per-use or subscription based communication-computing.

There are only a couple of things that transcend technology. First and most importantly, the user, and second, the content. There will be a growing number of networks revolving around the user. We think there will be a number of clouds hovering about too. These are utility businesses that support distribution to and from users and their means of entertainment/information/interaction. Earthling was a good name for a blog. We still have an Apple laptop (the new ones have not had dial-up modems for some time), but now it is an Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro (and still from Apple). We have an iPod too (you know that iTunes distribution and convenience thing, plus it all 'just works' with the laptop, etc.). We continue to work on the next EFIKA...

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

R&B

EFIKA Project #698 - Autonomous Logging Industry Robot

The problem statement put in place by the group was to minimize the injury and fatality rate of loggers across the world due to inclement weather, structurally unsound tress, and bulky equipment to trim the trees. The success of the project is based on how well the group can construct a robot that can climb a 13-inch diameter tree, which is to be simulated by a telephone pole. Additionally, the robot needs to be able to avoid branches, which are to be simulated by dowels attached to the telephone pole. Due to constraints on the project, working criteria were assembled to give the group a direction when researching solutions to this problem. These criteria include vertical speed, capability to carry extra weight, reversibility, maneuverability, simplicity, and capacity to vary the diameter the robot needs to climb.

The EFIKA provides overall system control.
Does that look like a tree-hugger or what?!

EFIKA Project #698 was updated today. The Trinity University Tree-Climbing Robot Group has made some progress since we met with them earlier this year (Engineering Science). You can find the details on the Project Blog with links to the scholarly documents they have created in the course of the effort.

The Tree-Climbing Robot Group

Amanda Richter
Matthew Saunders
Stephen Arnold
Matthew Meador
Robert Lewis



Nice work Folks!

Please give us a call when you head out to test the Robot. Just remember, the Robot has to climb back down before we can all happily exclaim... Timber!

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

R&B