[SOLVED] I really need some suggestions...

[TurboAAA]

Hey guys, I need some help. There is a build idea that has been rolling around in my head for some time. I have the outline for it setup, basic parts and home built parts, but I need an original idea for the purpose of this system.

This build will take some time for me to finish so I will have plenty of time to think of something for it to do. Problem is I would like to have a general idea before I am halfway through so I can start planning around it.

My question is : "What can I have a system based on the AMD Geode CPU do?" (I may work with the Intel Atom but I'm more of an AMD guy)

I really want something original, no firewalls or such. It doesn't even need to be a useful purpose. I would really like it to be something that nobody needs or wants.

Just throw some crazy ideas out there. Things for it to process or information to gather, I don't care. For the ideas that I do like I may ask the submitter to help with the programing if he/she is able to.

[TurboAAA]

I just had thought of something, you guys might want to know some more hardware specs.

The board I am looking at can hold up to 2GB of DDR, has 1 IDE header that I will use for a slim dvd drive, has a built-in Compact Flash slot I will use for storage, and has 2 gigabit NICs.

To be honest the computer part of this build is not important at all, that Is why I am asking for ideas. The center of my build is actually a secret project that cannot be released.

Thanks for your ideas....

[Freston]

LinuxMCE perhaps?

[elija]

It doesn't even need to be a useful purpose. I would really like it to be something that nobody needs or wants.

A Windows Vista machine?

(Nobody wants that and I wouldn't consider it useful!)

[TurboAAA]

A Windows Vista machine?

(Nobody wants that and I wouldn't consider it useful!)

Good, but I would rather not spend that much for the OS on a system that really won't be used. Also Vista would run awful on this thing. The board I'm looking at has a 500MHZ CPU and a bus of 62.5MHZ. I was planning on running an OS like Damn Small Linux.

I do like the idea of a MCP, but I will save that for another build.

[Freston]

There should be an awful lot of interesting things you can do on a device like that. 500Mhz isn't too bad. I have a laptop running at 450Mhz that is fully capable of running OOo and FF3 from a server (and it boots up in a minute). You could make a thin client of it. An X terminal. Or a diskless workstation (if indeed these are not all the same thing ).

You could use it as a front end interface for your more sophisticated machinery, keeping your _real_ machines headless. Or add exotic hardware to it. Mount a couple of webcams throughout your house and have your own CCTV system. It wouldn't serve a purpose unless you could somehow integrate a motion detector on it. Then add a couple of speakers, find an .ogg recording of a WWII air-raid siren and you have the perfect alarm system.


Or just read a day without X

[fiberpull]

Seen as you have a small business, it might be a good idea to use it as a conversation/promo piece so people can talk about what they saw in your shop. Has the added advantage of you being able to write off any costs as related to biz.

You could slap some inexpensive motors & hobby robot parts together and turn it into a beer/pop loading & dispensing machine - perhaps one that can aim the can at you and launch it with precision projectile motion (maybe another application for infra red or wii handheld units).

You could also attach a nice plasma screen to it and turn it into a demo of what an alien/future computer interface might look like - millions of windows popping up and morphing, hollograms, klingon fonts, etc. Maybe add effects to each key so young kids could have fun with it while their parents shop around.

Use it to provide real-time data acquisition for a model rocket. Then play back each flight in slow motion including overlaid google-earth maps, on-board video & sound. Turn it into a NASA control center.

You could turn it into a virtual pet. Dedicate cpu time to distributed computing projects like SETI. Turn it into a jukebox. There's lots of cool things to do! (so little time...)

[TurboAAA]

I really like the idea of a virtual pet. I also like the idea of robotics. I think I might pull both of those together.

You see, the PC part of this needs to be stationary in order for Project S (thats the name I'm giving it) to work. So what I may end up doing is creating a small "thing" with limited processing power and have it communicate to the PC via a wireless connection as it's brain. I can also integrate the "thing" into Project S.

Great ideas guys, I think I have a rough outline of what I want to do. After I get Project S at least halfway through I will start recruiting programmers and engineers.

Oh and let me clear up my business. I list it as a "Business" because it is all done out of the home and is only used for supplemental income to fund upgrades for my PCs and projects like this one.