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Re: [OCLUG-Tech] is there (or should there be) a local embedded linux interest group?

  • Subject: Re: [OCLUG-Tech] is there (or should there be) a local embedded linux interest group?
  • From: Bill Strosberg <oclug [ at ] strosberg [ dot ] com>
  • Date: Fri, 09 May 2014 08:13:01 -0400
On 14-05-09 07:40 AM, Robert P. J. Day wrote:
   strictly from a personal interest point of view, i'd like to see
*some* sort of local (ottawa-based) group devoted primarily to
embedded linux. for the purposes of keeping up to date for my training
courses, i'm constantly buying the latest development kits in case one
of my clients eventually wants a course on that board, and it would be
nice to have some kind of support group of people working/playing in
the same area i can consult/bug/harass if i'm having difficulty or
just want someone to chat with.

   thoughts? recommendations?

rday

Start one. Find a project concept that scratches an itch felt by many people, actively recruit people willing to help devise a way to scratch that itch and work constantly to herd the cats towards a realizable goal. Make it fun and LISTEN to what people want to accomplish. Bring in people with diverse backgrounds. Easiest way to get twenty nerds in a room? Find one with two X chromosomes and put her in a room with computers. Call meetings at Comicon.

There is no lack of embedded people locally. There is no lack of people with embedded Linux experience locally. Shockingly, there is no lack of local nerds with two X chromosomes. All that is missing is an entertaining, charismatic, self-deprecating head honcho cat herder and a common purpose and mission.

Ideas?

There are lots. I'm currently thinking the world needs a sensible, cost-reducing way to *integrate* Over The Air (OTA) HD TV with easy distribution within the home, bringing Internet streaming content, live OTA and media services to the world in a way that can break the Rogers/Bell/Videotron stranglehold on people's entertainment dollars. I pay $180 month for Roger's Cable to keep my wife happy with a simple interface for watching Game of Thrones, Homeland, Newsroom, House of Cards etc. - and I have to have multiple Digital Adapters/PVRs/D2A things all over the house. My UHF/HD antenna goes up next week, and Roger's cable will be banished shortly thereafter. I've got Chromecast, jailbroken Apple TV, XBMC, Icefilms, One Channel, Mac Minis, MythTV boxen and enough remotes to fill the garage. My son hasn't watched broadcast TV in years. That's just one idea.

--
Bill