Bridging the gap

[caboose]

Hey, everyone.

I have been using linux lightly now for about a year, and I feel guilty.
I know it's open-source, but I feel like I should be doing something to help.

As an 18 year old with no job, I can't really give much financial support.
I do not know enough programming yet to effectivley create or a program, or extend the capabilities of one.

But, I can help bridge the gap.

Open source and Linux are fantastic, but I think that maybe there are some proprietry software that could improve it, or help it.

So, if you know of any program that you would like to see open sorce, or source code released, please post it here and I will see what I can do

[rokytnji]

I don't expect you can do anything with TTS software as it is highly proprietary and very expensive to use.

Maybe you might be interested in coming up with a deb version of
Dan's Motorcycle Software

of any of those free downloads on that list on that page.

The only reason I still run Windows is because Linux has not cracked the motorcycle interface with fuel injection and electronic ignition modules/hardware on motorcycles. You would be the first if you succeeded as far as I know. Firmware in those modules that control ignition and fuel injection in Harley davidsons, or any other motorcycle for that matter is probably insurmountable. And Windows or Mac is the only things these modules will talk to (with the right CD and Harness to connect to Laptop).

I don't expect much from this. It is a daunting task at best. And way beyond my skill set. Happy Trails, Rok

[caboose]

No, I don't mean to create a program, I mean to try and loosen some of the copyright and licensing on proprietary software that wolud help the open source community, and allow you to create a linux version

[Rubberman]

I don't expect you can do anything with TTS software as it is highly proprietary and very expensive to use.

Maybe you might be interested in coming up with a deb version of
Dan's Motorcycle Software

of any of those free downloads on that list on that page.

The only reason I still run Windows is because Linux has not cracked the motorcycle interface with fuel injection and electronic ignition modules/hardware on motorcycles. You would be the first if you succeeded as far as I know. Firmware in those modules that control ignition and fuel injection in Harley davidsons, or any other motorcycle for that matter is probably insurmountable. And Windows or Mac is the only things these modules will talk to (with the right CD and Harness to connect to Laptop).

I don't expect much from this. It is a daunting task at best. And way beyond my skill set. Happy Trails, Rok

Wazzamatta Roky? Not up to some good old fashioned reverse engineering? Whatta ya think recording oscilloscopes and logic analyzers are for? Right! I know, you just happen to have a couple sitting in the garage, gathering dust! Anyway, are the ignition and EFI controls digital, or analog? Back in the "good old days" when I was a mechanic, the first Volvo EFI and ignition computers were analog units. Not much we could do with them suckers, other than replace them. There was some minor adjustments we could make, but nothing substantial. Then they went to the CFI (Continuous Fuel Injection) systems (air-flow control w/ continuous feedback) and it was a bit easier to fix. Unfortunately, I don't have much (as in none) experience with current motorcycle electronics, though I have some knowledge of automotive electronics.

[rokytnji]

Wazzamatta Roky? Not up to some good old fashioned reverse engineering?

Grin. Nope.

Unfortunately, I don't have much (as in none) experience with current motorcycle electronics, though I have some knowledge of automotive electronics.

Nothing is anolog anymore Rubberman. Just like cars they have sensors and pickup units that send a signal to the PC Controller for that sending unit.
The computer can be accessed with the right harness and Laptop. But only wants to talk to a Windows based CD, And boy are they expensive/run once
cds. These systems are more tightly wrapped than a car computer module.
Only a one way street dealing with this stuff as I am used to.

[Rubberman]

I kinda figured that they were all digital now. No analog feedback loops, just PID controllers, most likely. Well, as long as they aren't using strong encryption on the data stream to the laptop, and with a good decompiler, it should be possible to reverse engineer what the laptop is doing in terms of a communication protocol. No way to tell what the on-board hardware is doing with that data, but with enough time it should be possible to duplicate the software on the laptop. Not trivial, but possible. I've done this with other systems in the past. It was necessary in a couple of cases when the vendor went off into that great Chapter 7 in the sky...

[rokytnji]

@ Caboose

Grin. I could have your computer triple booting Puppy Linux with Windows and some Debian Flavor if I was close to ya. But I am lost when trying to write any new programs or dealing with C or C++ or building my own kernel from scratch.

Just a Linux using Biker is all.

[rokytnji]

to tell what the on-board hardware is doing with that data,

More than likely. And I speak from personal experience. On a Stock Harley Computer Module. The firmware is locked tighter than a drum for interacting with the Linux File system. You can sorta get around this by ripping out the stock setup and going with a after market setup. Which in turn means you have to use the after market software to talk to their hardware. Kinda a Catch-22.

I guess I better quit hi jacking Cabooses thread. Sorry Dude.

[rcgreen]

There may be some hope on the legal front, at least in the
long run. Since much of the vehicle electronics are a result
of government mandates, the aftermarket repair industry
can argue that they are entitled to interface with
those systems, otherwise they violate antitrust laws.

[GNU-Fan]

Hi,

No, I don't mean to create a program, I mean to try and loosen some of the copyright and licensing on proprietary software that wolud help the open source community, and allow you to create a linux version

please refer to
Current Campaigns — Free Software Foundation
for ideas where community work is currently most needed.