New Linux Set-Top Project

An anonymous reader says "Linux4.TV is the official open-source website for interactive set-top box technologies based on the National Semiconductor Geode? SC1200 integrated processor and SP1SC10 development platform." Looks to be an interesting project, although since they require registration to download stuff, I'll never know.

Re:GPL Violation

[DeathBunny]

Read the GPL sometime. Requiring a registration to download isn't a GPL violation. As long as they provide source to anyone who gets binaries and they don't try to add any restrictions on re-distribution and modification they're not in violation.

Re:Man of principles

[ziplux]

I don't know why CmdrTaco is so opposed to registration.....you don't even have to put in real info! Jesus.

The box problem

[Animats]

What's really needed is a generic set-top PC platform produced in volume. Then there will be something worth developing software for.
What would you want in such a box?

• 
  "No User Serviceable Parts Inside". The end user doesn't open the box. This is TV, not PC.
  So no PCI slots. PCMCIA slots, maybe.
  
• 
  Several disk drive bays, with disks installable by non-technical end users. (Device Bay, the packaging spec for plug-in 1394-compatible drives, would have been great for this if anybody used it.)
  
• 
  Set-top-box form factor. Slim, not PCI board height.
  
• 
  Well-shielded tuner section. Must work in fringe areas with poor antennas. (VCRs have this now, but most tuner cards for PCs don't do it well.)
  
• 
  No matter what, it always boots up. If a disk gets corrupted, or a hard drive crashes, you can still watch TV, even if you can't record. The base software belongs in a PCMCIA ROM card.
  (OK, developers can use a flash card.)
  

Etherware

[sabinm]

Sorry. Not going anywhere. No one can do a single thing w/out bandwidth.
Imagine a flight attendant offering you a inflight movie while you were sitting in an airport with a 5 hour delay. A great service, with nowhere to implement it. ;)

Remember those cool AT@T commercials, where those cute kids pushed a button on their TV screen and out pops "Star Wars" immediately, on demand?

Have you ever .... You will! And the company is going to bring it to you is AT@T.

That was 7 years ago. I don't have any illusions about all these cool new ideas. I know exactly where they are heading w/out the infrastructure to support them. Cool idea heaven, somewhere is Vaporville.