I am going to try and organize my thoughts, goals, and plans. Stick with me if this gets a bit long winded as I will do my best to fully explain my needs and concerns.
Goals: To install a single computer with dual interfaces that can manage all my digital needs for Overland Adventure, Amateur Radio, and Daily Life.
Needs:
Hardware Plan: A Stealth Computer Mounted in the dash with the radios and linked to one touch screen mounted from the ceiling as a replacement for worthless rear-view mirror (backup camera also wired in to this screen with one touch switch between sources) and another larger touch screen mounted in the dash in the navigators seat that also has a keyboard and mouse combo on a pullout tray below it. The system specs are as follows:
Software Plan: Ubuntu 10.04LTS (or latest LTS version at time of build) running amongst many things WINE and VirtualBox to handle anything that can not be handled natively by Ubuntu Linux.
Important!!!!: Anything that can be made to run seamlessly within Ubuntu should be made to do so. If anything can't be ran in Ubuntu natively and a replacement can not be found that will run in Ubuntu then it will be installed to run via WINE. Should any propitiatory software be mission critical but unsupported (in a fully functioning state) by either Ubuntu or WINE then it may be ran in Windows XP Pro or Windows 7 Ultimate via VirtualBox. It should be a goal of the design to have the programs running in VirtualBox both at a minimum and also limited to only rarely used applications like the propitiatory software for the Garmin GPS units and the HAM Radio software used to bulk load frequencies.
Concerns: My primary worry at this time is about the computers hardware capabilities, mainly will it have the power needed to run a VirtualBox load of Windows 7 Ultimate? If this system doesn't have the power to reliably and smoothly run those applications which can not be ran in Ubuntu natively then we have our first major wrench in the cogs so to speak. Secondly I am very concerned about both the number of hardware interfaces and ability to link these interfaces with software applications. There are 2 Serial COM ports, 3 USB ports and I can always use a port duplicator to get another 4 or more additional ports, and there are both microphone INs and audio OUTs via 1/8" plug. So I think I can find/build every cable I need to this point. The touchscreen monitors need both a video and USB connection. The USB is used for the 'touch' part of the monitor so I was hoping to run independent USB cables for each monitor but just use a VGA splinter cable to get video to the monitors.
My request to the community: If you have ran any of these products or applications in any of the environments I have listed please let me know how it worked for you and what issues you have had to resolve. Also if you can think of any applications I have overlooked that you think I should include in this build then please post those as well.
ALSO if anyone wants to team up and work this out together and build a identical or nearly identical system let me know and we can pool resources.
Thank-you all for your time,
JPH
Goals: To install a single computer with dual interfaces that can manage all my digital needs for Overland Adventure, Amateur Radio, and Daily Life.
Needs:
- Navigation:
[-]Integrated: OziExplorer as the primary navigation platform to include fully functioning moving maps and a large database of maps. Other mapping applications to be used to include a lot of the options listed in Overland Journal's articles on subject... Details to be outlined latter in the planing process...
[-]Management of Devices: Management of several Garmin brand vehicle and handled GPS units to include a nuvi and GPS60CSx. - Amateur Radio (HAM Radio): Yaesu propitiatory radio management software for loading fryquancies into Yaesu FT-857D, FT8900R, and VX-7R. Also looking to run Ham Radio Deluxe and Digital Master 780 with the FT-857D to manage digital modes and rig control when not operating with simple voice. An end goal here is to have a WinLink 2000 e-mail account linked to the vehicle.
- Entertainment: Large database of music and videos for both tunes while driving and movies for the kids when just interstate driving. Also want a place to download photos from cameras and make multiple backups.
- Phones/Personal Devices: Currently have iPhone however planing to move to some type of Droid platform soon. Wife still has iPhone and will most likely stick with the iPhone and all that it requires i.e. iTunes
Hardware Plan: A Stealth Computer Mounted in the dash with the radios and linked to one touch screen mounted from the ceiling as a replacement for worthless rear-view mirror (backup camera also wired in to this screen with one touch switch between sources) and another larger touch screen mounted in the dash in the navigators seat that also has a keyboard and mouse combo on a pullout tray below it. The system specs are as follows:
- Intel Core 2 Duo T9400, 2.53GHz
- 8GB DDR2 SO-DIMM
- DVD+-RW/Blu-Ray Burner, SATA
- 256GB Solid State Drive (SSD), MLC, 2.5'' SATA
- For Further Details on computer see Hyperlink above
- Just my first thought on a Touchscreen Monitor
- Just my first thought on a GPS 'puck'
- Link to Yaesu so anyone who wants can look up hardware and accessories of my radios
Software Plan: Ubuntu 10.04LTS (or latest LTS version at time of build) running amongst many things WINE and VirtualBox to handle anything that can not be handled natively by Ubuntu Linux.
Important!!!!: Anything that can be made to run seamlessly within Ubuntu should be made to do so. If anything can't be ran in Ubuntu natively and a replacement can not be found that will run in Ubuntu then it will be installed to run via WINE. Should any propitiatory software be mission critical but unsupported (in a fully functioning state) by either Ubuntu or WINE then it may be ran in Windows XP Pro or Windows 7 Ultimate via VirtualBox. It should be a goal of the design to have the programs running in VirtualBox both at a minimum and also limited to only rarely used applications like the propitiatory software for the Garmin GPS units and the HAM Radio software used to bulk load frequencies.
Concerns: My primary worry at this time is about the computers hardware capabilities, mainly will it have the power needed to run a VirtualBox load of Windows 7 Ultimate? If this system doesn't have the power to reliably and smoothly run those applications which can not be ran in Ubuntu natively then we have our first major wrench in the cogs so to speak. Secondly I am very concerned about both the number of hardware interfaces and ability to link these interfaces with software applications. There are 2 Serial COM ports, 3 USB ports and I can always use a port duplicator to get another 4 or more additional ports, and there are both microphone INs and audio OUTs via 1/8" plug. So I think I can find/build every cable I need to this point. The touchscreen monitors need both a video and USB connection. The USB is used for the 'touch' part of the monitor so I was hoping to run independent USB cables for each monitor but just use a VGA splinter cable to get video to the monitors.
My request to the community: If you have ran any of these products or applications in any of the environments I have listed please let me know how it worked for you and what issues you have had to resolve. Also if you can think of any applications I have overlooked that you think I should include in this build then please post those as well.
ALSO if anyone wants to team up and work this out together and build a identical or nearly identical system let me know and we can pool resources.
Thank-you all for your time,
JPH