[E3-hacking] Support status update

[Janusz Krzysztofik]

Tuesday 18 May 2010 21:05:14 David Given wrote:
> On 18/05/10 19:24, Janusz Krzysztofik wrote:
> [...]
>
> > It's good to know there are still people over there who are interested
> > ;).
>
> I'm definitely still interested --- I even have a Killer App for my
> emailer in mind: console and modem for my SheevaPlug.
>
> Unfrotunately something's gone a bit weird with my setup. I seem to get
> the first half of the PBL boot signature but not the second half. The
> lights all flash correctly so I don't think the device is fried, but I
> haven't gotten around to rebuilding the cable yet to try and figure out
> what's going on.
>
> It's good to see work being done on the kernel; thank-you for all the
> hard work! Is there anything left to do, or is all the hardware supported?

Not all yet.

For completness of the device primary application, ie. video phone, camera 
support is still missing. I have plans to look at it.

I'm not sure what smart card interface could we use for if ever supported. 
Removable storage perhaps? That would make sense to protect internal flash 
from getting weared out if used not only as a root filesystem, that can be 
mounted readonly, but as a temporary non-volatile storage. Other similiar 
purpose could be storing unit specifi configuration data, like hostname etc. 
After all, it would depend on available capacity of a smart card.

Of course, one can use an USB stick as an external flash memory, but I prefere 
plugging a signle bluetooth adapter there in. Having it running, I've already 
arranged for LAN access, and can imagine extending its usage further with 
things like direct internet access, wireless headset support, mobile SIM 
access, printing, wireless keyboard/mouse, etc., etc., all at the same time 
without fiddling with several USB adapters or an external USB hub.

Getting DSP core supported seems most problematic. There was an effort, 
code name DSP Gateway, but has been abandoned in favour of a new project, 
DSP Bridge. Unfortunately, the new code seems lacking OMAP1 support, only 
OMAP2/3/4's work.

Last, the dock-it port. I have no single idea what we could do about it.

Thanks,
Janusz