Carputer and other such evil

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donavan
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:15 pm

Carputer and other such evil

Post by donavan »

Ok so here is what is going on. I am trying to build a carputer(car-computer) I want to use the Xbox as the hardware base if for no other reason than the cost. The only real issue is the lack of suport for a GPS system using XBMC or any of the other M$ powered Dashes. This has led me to linux. I think that gentoox will provide the functionality I need but I am not sure so here are some questions.

1. Is there a EASY way to use either a USB joystick/pad/contoller or a USB keyboard (hacked up to use just a few of the keys) to EASILY control a GUI?

2. Is the Media center version of Gentoox a better choice here or should I use the standard version?

3. What UI/Dashboard/whatever should I use to give a clean easy to use inteface that doesn't require a mouse or keyboard (see question #1 )?

4. Are there any limitations on what is supported and what isn't (aside from the normal linux limitations) I mean does a standard linux driver work here (USB GPS, Drives , etc...)?
clpalmer
Power user
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:38 pm

Post by clpalmer »

1. I'm sure you can have keyboard shortcuts to most of the functionality you'd need in a GPS gui, and USB keyboards are easy to install. You could probably just hack apart a keyboard, as long as you didn't break the traces you need, and kept the USB circuitry intact, but it might take some work.

2. If you just want it for GPS, use the standard one. MCE just adds a bunch of functionality for video playback, etc.

3. Use cromwell bios and gentoox loader. You don't need to do anything and it'll boot right into xwindows (or your GPS app if you want)

4. If you can find a GPS that connects over USB (or bluetooth w/ a USB bluetooth device, or RS232 w/ a USB->RS232 converter, etc) you should be fine, as long as the device (and converter if necessary) has drivers for linux. If the GPS you want needs a PCI card, you're SOL. If you can find a GPS device that uses USB and has drivers and software for linux, you should be fine.

Back to 1. If I were you, I'd probably just get a USB mouse with a rollerball so you don't have to move it around. Just mount that somewhere on the dash and use it and the virtual keyboard instead of having to hack or have a full size keyboard in there.
donavan
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:15 pm

Post by donavan »

First off thanks for the advice. Second I don't want to go with a pointing device for my input because that would mean that I was forced to look at the screen while driving. While this is a must for the GPS I dont want to have look at the screen while trying to load up music. My goal here is some easy push button menu system. I do want to have a KB/mouse somewhere in the car for actuall computer use but while driving I think this is a bad idea. In short I want to carputer to be as easy to use as the radio.
clpalmer
Power user
Posts: 288
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:38 pm

Post by clpalmer »

Probably a wise choice I guess =) I've never tried to create a hacked mini-keyboard, but it can't be that hard if you have some time and enough tools =)
Scrufdog
Novice
Posts: 34
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:04 pm

Post by Scrufdog »

you can get a number keypad for any computer. The are usually PS/2, but you can either find one that is USB or get a PS/2 to USB adapter.
Xbox 1.0 - Thomson DVD
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marcot
Newbie
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Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 11:34 pm

Post by marcot »

Look at solutions for creating homemade MAME arcade cabinets. These pages show how to connect switches (joysticks and buttons) to keyboard inputs. There are also specialist boards you can buy that are specifically designed to be connected to by wires instead of a real keyboard. This is also referenced on MAME arcade cabinet sites.

Start here:
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_controls.shtml
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