Chumby

[mdlbear]

My chumby is on its way! I just got the availability email this evening, so of course I've ordered it. OK, I have a weakness for cute little linux-based gadgets. What can I say?

There are a couple of really unique things about the chumby. First of all, the user interface is based on flash (the flash player is the only component of the whole thing that isn't open source). Second, it isn't just the software that's open source: the hardware is, too. (They figure, if somebody can make it more cheaply than their Chinese partner, they've got themselves a second supplier.) Third, most of the "case" is leather, sewed on to the plastic housing. The pattern is, naturally, downloadable, and they expect that many, if not most, users will customize their chumby's appearance as well as its functionality.

Comments

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

I will have to come over to meet the critter when it comes home.

[eleccham.livejournal.com]

My only puzzlement with it is... no battery??

Other than that, I would be all about getting these to use as PADDs for Wild Elf shows - it'd be so much more convenient than three-ring binders.

But they'd need to be battery powered for that.

[mdlbear]

They haven't paid much attention to power management, because they're supposed to be "always on". They do run on 12VDC, though, and probably don't draw a whole lot, so you could power them from a battery if you wanted to.

Screen's way too small for it to substitute for a 3-ring binder, though.

[eleccham.livejournal.com]

Sure, but as long as it can display a reasonable amount of text, and a tap (or perhaps a USB footpedal?) can turn the page, it would be enough.

I'd considered trying to work out a battery setup for one, but then you've got the "two pieces" issue.

[mdlbear]

It's not really a good form-factor for replacing a binder, either, but you could probably solve both problems by building a box that would hold the chumby and a battery, and attach to a microphone stand or something of the sort.

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

I almost wish I had a horizontal surface and time (I didn't check the price, so although things are about to get tight, I expect that to not be a stopper) to devote to such an item. With a name like mine, I really think I should.

[mdlbear]

$180; came to $195 with tax. Not really within the "impulse buy" range, but manageable.

[mdlbear]

If necessary you could hang the chumby from the ceiling or some convenient bit of overhead stuff. I'd use the trestle over our headboard if I were using it as an alarm clock, for example. Two cords so it doesn't rotate.