Not content as a mere sideline mascot, Tux now runs Linux

We've always had a soft spot for Tux. Sure he just sits there smugly as we try in vain to install and then use the many flavors of his Linux OS, but he's just so darn cute. Well now he can grace your desktop in all his smugness, as you attempt to execute commands on the PC running inside of him, since Acme Systems is now shipping a Tux-shaped case that holds a tiny single-board computer inside. The case runs for $36, and you can score the company's Acme Fox board for $119 to complete your mini Linux masterpiece. Not exactly a powerhouse with 4MB of flash memory and 16MB of ram, but we're sure you can make some exceptions for the sheer trippiness of owning your very own Linux-running Tux.

[oshean @ Mar 1st 2006 9:52AM]

Yes, but can it run windows, macintel, or doom?

[Mike @ Mar 1st 2006 9:55AM]

If they made this into a wireless router/firewall, that'd be pretty killer. As is, it's more of a novelty, but still cool.

[Jeremy @ Mar 1st 2006 10:04AM]

Video via USB, or what? X server only, no client?

[OldManChild @ Mar 1st 2006 10:19AM]

With Tux running Linux inside can we assume that e will not be as susceptible to Bird Flu as his more feathered friends have been : )

[chuck @ Mar 1st 2006 10:28AM]

at that price it might make a great 1st computer for a kid. Load it up with linux, some games, some educational software, an old monitor, And you have a great 1st pc for your child, way cheaper than a mac mini. I hope this is around when i knock up some chick & dont have money for an abortion.

[Chris Johnson @ Mar 1st 2006 10:59AM]

Naturally they're out of stock on the actual computer that goes inside.

In any case the computer itself is intended for embedded purposes... so the case is really just a marketing gimick. A clever one for all the fan boys, but i don't see how that's going to translate into a large number of sales of their boards (which is where they make their money).

[PanMan @ Mar 1st 2006 11:10AM]

Actually, it would be a friendly form-factor for a router, or so.

[huh? @ Mar 1st 2006 11:23AM]

In the future all computers will look like this.

[Dave Zatz @ Mar 1st 2006 11:30AM]

That is awesome! Not something I need, but very cool. Wonder why it wasn't done sooner?

[jygsaw @ Mar 1st 2006 11:32AM]

.....So he doles out network goodness from his backside then? Hrmm... oh well, coulda been worse... you know... forget it.

[Callandor @ Mar 1st 2006 12:04PM]

Im not seeing power, or dual ethernet sockets... Power over ethernet I can understand possibly, but seriously, wheres dual ethernet?!?

Also a nice VGA or DVI prot would be nice to set it up. As a small firewall it would be pretty damn classy :D

[Enko @ Mar 1st 2006 12:51PM]

I would totally load up those 4 megs with an mp3 and use it as a server.

[Brian @ Mar 1st 2006 1:13PM]

You can always add a tumb drive to give it extra memory.

[Phil @ Mar 1st 2006 1:56PM]

I think we have the actual FOX Boards (not the cases) in stock at Crownhill - but I will check tomorrow when I get into work.

[Phil @ Mar 1st 2006 1:58PM]

Ugh, seems it doesn't like manual "a href=". The link is here: http://www.crownhill.co.uk/product.php?prod=1456

[navamske @ Mar 1st 2006 2:55PM]

Apparently it's anatomically correct.

"Acme is based in Italy, but offers an English translation of its website that explains, 'TUX Case is made up of six coloured parts in PVC: pecker, right and left legs are yellow, tummy, face and eyes sockets are made with one white part, front and back half are black.'"

[Bobak Kamaei @ Mar 1st 2006 3:18PM]

Sorry if this sound a bit stupid but where is the video out put? and if it does not have one how are you meant to setup vnc on the machine without initially being able to control the device it self. and want linux distro can be installed on a 4mb drive, or would this use a network booting system?

[eddo @ Mar 1st 2006 3:50PM]

What distro to run? why tomsrtbt of course

[brendan casey @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:21AM]

did anyone actually read the article?

from the article:

"On the software side, the Acme Fox comes with a 2.4.31 Linux kernel, but can easily be upgraded to 2.6.12, the company says. Also included is glibc; Linux drivers for USB flash, USB hard drives, and USUSB B-to-serial converters; servers for http, ftp, telnet, ssh, ppp; and applications that include wget, vi, easyedit, and busybox shell commands and utilities.

An included Linux software cross-development kit supports C language development on Debian or Red Hat Linux hosts, and free C compiling via the Web. The Acme Fox also supports PHP development, optionally with the open source SQLite database."

[debian12yrold @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:40AM]

Has anyone noticed that this could be a potential product for streaming music over WiFi? You would have the sound adapter in one port, and the memory stick or WiFi dongle in the other
(It is USB 1.1, but that is fast enough for a 128kbps ogg or mp3...)
P.S The ethernet port could also be used for streaming

[Phil @ Mar 2nd 2006 4:21AM]

OK, I just checked. As of 9am this morning we have 7 (seven) Fox Boards in stock at the address above.

[JCG @ Mar 2nd 2006 6:21AM]

Buy two tux cases 1 fox board and 1 usb harddrive
Make 1 tux computer and 1 tux hard-drive, et voila the cutest music server ever =]

[stingraze @ Mar 2nd 2006 7:14AM]

Maybe something cool... But can it be useful? 20MHz?