hardware hacking - constructing a clamshell from an SL6000

[DrWowe]

There was an idea kicked around at the last WI/IL meeting that could be interesting.  The idea is to do some hacking and create a home-brew clamshell out of the currently available US models.

Materials needed:
1) an SL-xx00 handheld model (obviously, 6000 would be best)
2) a small keyboard of appropriate dimensions
3) a custom built case to hold the Zaurus, the keyboard, and the wiring that connects them together.

I\'m interested in pursuing this idea, but the tricky part is the keyboard.  The SL-6000 has dimensions of 3.14 inches by 6.22 inches, so to make this project feasable, I would need to find a membrane keyboard in the style of the Cxx0 series of appropriate dimensions with a serial type interface.  If I could find an appropriate keyboard, building the enclosure to hold it all together would probably only be a few days work, and the result would be a portable workstation with all the power of the SL-6000, and probably still weighing well under a pound.

[ClintReese]

As you know, I\'m trying to do something similar.  So, I thought I\'d stick a reference in here.I still think that the chording keyboard is a better idea, but good luck.

Are you planning on hacking your own serial interface?  I might have to do that too, in which case we could help each other.

http://www.zaurususergroup.com/index.php?n...3432&highlight=

Clint Reese

[DrWowe]

Serial interface should be easy - RS232 is such a simple and venerable protocol, fortunately its still supported by many modern gadgets such as the Zaurus. *

But the project will go nowhere unless I can find a decent keyboard of appropriately small dimensions.  I think I prefer not to use a half keyboard, chording device, I\'d rather have something that resembled a normal QWERTY.  

* sadly some devices are abandoning good ole RS232 in favor of exclusive USB client support.  Its a pity because it greatly raises the difficulty of doing homebrew hacks like this.

[arniel]

Why not consider the best keyboard in the biz, from a Psion 5?  Obviously, there would have to be some sort of protocol convertor, and the psion screen dimensions are larger (at least in width).  Maybe the psion keyboard can be connected to the SL\'s built-in keyboard matrix rather than RS-232, otherwise there would have to be access to the original keyboard.
All I\'d need to make (one of) my dreams come true is an EPOC emulator so the Psion software could be run...

[DrWowe]

Hmm, I\'m not sure I want to go about dissassembling another computer to get at its keyboard.

But here\'s a possibility I found, it\'s a full keyboard and touchpad in one, and the dimensions seem about right:
http://www.fingerworks.com/mini_product.html

[Omicron]

There was an idea kicked around at the last WI/IL meeting that could be interesting.  The idea is to do some hacking and create a home-brew clamshell out of the currently available US models.

Materials needed:
1) an SL-xx00 handheld model (obviously, 6000 would be best)
2) a small keyboard of appropriate dimensions
3) a custom built case to hold the Zaurus, the keyboard, and the wiring that connects them together.

I\'m interested in pursuing this idea, but the tricky part is the keyboard.  The SL-6000 has dimensions of 3.14 inches by 6.22 inches, so to make this project feasable, I would need to find a membrane keyboard in the style of the Cxx0 series of appropriate dimensions with a serial type interface.  If I could find an appropriate keyboard, building the enclosure to hold it all together would probably only be a few days work, and the result would be a portable workstation with all the power of the SL-6000, and probably still weighing well under a pound.

Okay, here\'s a silly question....Why?

What is the great advantage of a 6000 clamshell versus just buying a C860?  

Not being critical here, just being curious.  

Somethings are fun, just to see if they can be done...is this one of them?, or is there alot more features (besides WIFI) that teh 6000 offers that the C860 does not?

Thanks..

PS(If you\'re going to flame me, please set on medium....I prefer a nice pink center.   )

[doublec]

At a guess I\'d say:

1) built in wifi
2) built in bluetooth
3) usb host support
4) fun.

[Omicron]

At a guess I\'d say:

1) built in wifi
2) built in bluetooth
3) usb host support
4) fun.

Oh, I didn\'t know that C860 couldn\'t do USB Host support.

The others seemed just worth having a card for...ie: would rather have ladnscape and keyboard than builtin wifi or bluetooth, since I gots so many slots now.

but that USB host thing makes me sad...I thoiught the c860 had it....oh well.

[tapjpa]

Great \"geek\" idea DrWowe we need to have another wi/il zug get together and share some ideas, unfortunately I had to miss the last one.

[DrWowe]

I\'m game for another meetup as long as it\'s a little closer than Schaumberg.   (I\'m in Madison)  Milwaukee would be fun.  We could meet at a brewery.  

Found a Pocketop KB on the clearance rack at Staples the other day and couldn\'t resist.  Folded out it\'s only about 2in longer than the 6000.  This could actually work.   Maybe I could use a fiberoptic filament to keep them connected.

[tapjpa]

Thats fine with me, I\'m in Kenosha, WI.