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Geek Culture / Do you recognise this piece of hardware?

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NST
AGK Bronze Backer
15
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Joined: 21st Jun 2009
Location: UK
Posted: 7th Jan 2011 20:43
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Hello

I am looking for what we would once have called a "process controller";

A PC-like (capable of running Linux), very basic machine - basically a processor with USB and network interfaces, don't even really need a display.

It is to control some energy production hardware and interface to the internet.

What is it, and where from?

TIA!

Nick
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Fatal Berserker
14
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Joined: 2nd Jul 2010
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Posted: 7th Jan 2011 20:51
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server?

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thenerd
16
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Joined: 9th Mar 2009
Location: Boston, USA
Posted: 7th Jan 2011 20:53 Edited at: 7th Jan 2011 20:53
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The Arduino series of microcontrollers are very reliable and easy to work with: http://arduino.cc/

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NST
AGK Bronze Backer
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Posted: 8th Jan 2011 08:03
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@thenerd. That looks good and I have an account with RS, their stockist! Thanks.

@FB. Server?
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bitJericho
22
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Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 8th Jan 2011 11:06
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depending on your size requirements, you could use a PC and run whatever software you need. I think that's what fb was suggesting.

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mr_d
DBPro Tool Maker
18
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Joined: 26th Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere In Australia
Posted: 8th Jan 2011 11:17 Edited at: 8th Jan 2011 11:18
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Hey NST, you may want to check out pogoplug or SheevaPlug or GuruPlug. Cheers.

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Phaelax
DBPro Master
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Location: Metropia
Posted: 8th Jan 2011 14:51
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I was thinking he wanted a thin client.

"Only the educated are free" ~Epictetus
"Imagination is more important than knowledge..." ~Einstein
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PAGAN_old
19
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Joined: 28th Jan 2006
Location: Capital of the Evil Empire
Posted: 9th Jan 2011 09:31
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Oh yeah.. a thin client... those do exist dont they? i remember setting up a network of those at my school. They sucked. The problem is they arent really computers (the ones i used werent at least) they just split up the power of 1 computer into several workstations. If you ask me, its not worth it. for $ 500 per box, you would better off buying a cheap computer instead. They will work much better than thin clients

dont hate people who rip you off,cheat and get away with it, learn from them
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mr_d
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Posted: 9th Jan 2011 14:51 Edited at: 9th Jan 2011 14:51
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didn't sound like a thin-client to me, but it was a bit vague so maybe NST could clarify this when they reply to this thread...

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NST
AGK Bronze Backer
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Posted: 9th Jan 2011 20:11
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I don't know what a "thin client" is (except that it doesn't describe me!).

However, I have ordered an Arduino kit as recommended by thenerd, which looks like a good starting point.

Thanks all.
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NST
AGK Bronze Backer
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Posted: 16th Jan 2011 16:18
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Played with it for a few days now - excellent. Well worth the 30€ for hobby purposes alone, if you want to get into the crossover between C++ and microcontrollers.

Hours of fun, making all sorts of things ahead!
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JoelJ
21
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Location: UTAH
Posted: 19th Jan 2011 05:31
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there's also the TI Launchpad. It's $4, not super powerful. But kindof fun for tinkering around.

Your mother has been erased by a mod because it's larger than 600x120
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