I was just looking at the new Nintendo DS Lite. Those of you've who have taken the time to actually read my posts (and I'd like to thank all of you... (cue cricket sounds)) probably notice that I don't talk much about games, and that's because, well, I just don't play any. Guess I'm boring that way. What got my attention about the new Nintendo DS Lite is its external resemblance to something we geeks have long cherished and dreamt of.
Of course, I'm referring to the "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". When the first laptops became available way back when 8-bit ruled and Reagan was in his first term, I thought, "wow, can one of these things be made into a Guide-like contraption? Naaaaaah...". Those first lappys were 8-bit and just not nearly powerful enough. However, this little thing is getting pretty close in design, and I suspect it might have just enough power to do the trick.
It would still be a Nintendo, after all, but perhaps a couple of software packages added to give it the Guide's look and feel. But it is so begging to be hacked. If I had the money.
Anyway, anyone out there have similar thoughts about how to make a Guide-like device?
Thanks for all the fish,
Rob
there is a nintendo ds linux you could use to view the packages and modify the X windows system to look like the guide, but from what i hear the installation is not mostly harmless to n00bs to linux, if you are.
Linkage helps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_DS_Lite
I thought the DS was too bulky when I first saw it. Heck, I've thought Nintendo portables have almost always been bulky.
[pot calling the kettle black]
Yes, you are, I have met you.
[/pot calling the kettle black]
Hmmm. Yes.
Let's start from the idea and work backwords...
I see a laptop whose case has been modified to resemble a leather bound book, of course the outer artwork would have the large lettering "Don't Panic" on the back. The laptop, when opened would have a screen on either face.
(Now for the good stuff) I see this machine as being a laptop with
I guess you could link two laptops together and then sandwhich them like a book and slap a book jacket on it, but it would be eaier to do it with just one laptop. Sadly, the Macs do not offer a 'tablet' package out of the box, so the only way to do this cheaply would be to start off with a decent tablet PC and then (cause we all now it can be done) install the latest version of X, continuing with the mode from there as described above). Otherwise, you could take a Mac laptop and then retrofit touch screen onto it and get a "cheap" LCD display for the other half...
..point being, someone with the money to burn could do this. I think the hardest part would be the screens linked together in portrait mode - the case would be the easy part.
Add wireless broadband, a browser and make wikipedia your home page...
My Muppet Friend said...
And I thought the invention of elevator socks was ingenius! That's actually a great idea. If I ever had a chance to do this, that'd be the way.Probably run an *nix of some sort.
Creating The Future Today,
Rob
EDIT - In fact, the $100 USD laptop proposed by Nicholas Negroponte is pretty similar as well, save for the lack of a touch screen.
the prototype's got a touch screen
Hey all you hoopy froods,
I've seen Wikipedia on iPods which is probably just as cool. I'm looking for a link... tell y'all if I find it.