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.
posted Mar 1st 2006 9:47AM
Yes, but can it run windows, macintel, or doom?
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.
Video via USB, or what? X server only, no client?
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 : )
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.
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).
Actually, it would be a friendly form-factor for a router, or so.
In the future all computers will look like this.
That is awesome! Not something I need, but very cool. Wonder why it wasn't done sooner?
.....So he doles out network goodness from his backside then? Hrmm... oh well, coulda been worse... you know... forget it.
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
I would totally load up those 4 megs with an mp3 and use it as a server.
You can always add a tumb drive to give it extra memory.
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.
Ugh, seems it doesn't like manual "a href=". The link is here: http://www.crownhill.co.uk/product.php?prod=1456
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.'"
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?
What distro to run? why tomsrtbt of course
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."
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
OK, I just checked. As of 9am this morning we have 7 (seven) Fox Boards in stock at the address above.
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 =]
Maybe something cool... But can it be useful? 20MHz?