Andrew Stratton
A.Stratton@shu.ac.uk
Linux based ‘cut down
mobile phone’
 New Technology



Old performance
SD Card boot and disk


Debian image standard
Python on board

and Scratch
Micro USB power – can power from laptop
 Optional

HDMI/AV output
USB Keyboard + Mouse
 Ethernet
 PIO for VERY cheap/easy access to custom I/O


Wireless
Access
Point
Wifi
Laptop
Wifi
Wired
3G
Wired
Internet
provider
Mobile
Wireless
Access
Point
Mobile
Wireless access points have SSID (and encryption)
3G
Wifi
Laptop
Wifi


Ad hoc, local wireless access
SSID can be anything



Security risk...
May not have encryption
(very) local wireless file server
Wireless
Access
Point
Linux
Box
File
store
Replacement for Bluetooth?
 Devices become Wireless Access Points, e.g.





printer
scanner
camera
file store
Devices broadcast an SSID for connection
 Accessible from any wifi device





Laptop
Smartphone
Tablet
Console


etc.
Generally need to install an application/driver
Laptop
Wifi
Smartphone
Wireless Access Point
Web
Server
Linux
Box
Application Server
Tablet
Local Database
(very) local Wireless Web Server
 n.b. Typically NO Internet Access
 May be called ‘Personal Area Networks’

 Html

jQuery Mobile (library)



Javascript+CSS library based on jQuery
Cross platform
Application cache


5 Browser based applications:
The application works offline
 i.e. when the CLAN server is unavailable
Local Storage

Allows persistent data on the client device, e.g.
 user id
 application data, e.g. answers to questions,
downloaded feedback, etc.
 Client
application is ‘installed’ from the Server
 Most

Serverside technologies available
dotNET presently an issue

Windows is missing a ‘piece’ of the puzzle
 Suitable






are:
LAMP - Apache / MySql / PHP
Ruby on Rails
Node.js
Python
Java and JSP
Groovy on Grails
Laptop
Smartphone
Tablet
Html 5
jQuery Mobile

Nokia Internet Tablet





Wifi
Wireless Access Point
webpy
static
files
N810
Internet
Tablet
webpy application
Sqlite Database
Slow processor, low memory, linux based
equivalent to Raspberry Pi (but available at the time  )
Deliberately not ‘industry’ strength
Local IP client address allocated by DHCP
Domain name redirection


e.g. google.co.uk will load local web server pages
Uses ‘dnsmasq’ – Linux software
 jQuery
Interface
 Sqlite
persistence
 jQuery
Mobile widgets
 Admin
interface
 Extend
Database
 Can



be used anywhere (within range)
Up a mountain, on a coach/ship/train/plane
In schools with no wifi/internet/login
In Hallam


Allows any server software, i.e.
 No need to ask IT Services   
 But - no support from IT Services 
Technical demonstrations, e.g.
 Ruby on Rails
 Wireless Game server


Runs locally
Runs only while switched on
 ‘Regular’


Registering physical attendance at
seminar/lecture
Giving immediate (anonymous) feedback


e.g. ‘traffic light cups’
‘Throw away’ comprehension tests
 Open




classes:
days - Quick, easy access to
Course and/or module details
Timetable
Personal/anonymous questions
Registering interest
 Coach/field




trip, e.g.
reading objectives (class resources)
choosing groups
submitting findings report
giving feedback
 School/College

Same as Open Days

Take the data with you...
 Potential

visits
for ‘anywhere’ setup
e.g. Train Station, Students Union, Library, etc.
 May
allow ‘uncool’ access
 Bring

wireless network with you
No need to setup security logins on site

All setup can be done offsite and then moved
 No
need for even a power supply
 Allow registration by smartphone

Have to be physically present 
 Database
can be copied at end (or disposed of)
 Reduce registration queues
 No need for a desk


Registration staff could walk around the
registration area 
While attendees chat/relax/network
A

way to access the internet
Can be – but mostly pointless
 Persistent



Since not always available
But can cross multiple sessions
NoSql databases could allow syncing to internet
 Available


environments
from the internet
Just local (wifi) access only
But Ethernet is on board (model B RPi)

Availability of Smartphones

Could share one


e.g. guest access with ‘split’ screen or tabs
Only one connection – so no Internet access
No email, blackboard, wikipedia, facebook, twitter, etc.
 Could be a good thing


Html 5 Browser


Becoming much more popular/available
Technical issues
Susannah’s mobile didn’t work 
 Wireless contention


Security


But – raises awareness of ‘hijacking’ possibility
Performance
 Similar
 Cheap
power to n810
RPi
Wifi
USB
£20/35 £15
 Runs


Power
lead
Total
~£4
~£2
£41/56
linux (debian)
Includes python as standard
 Boots

SD
Card
from an SD card
Can have different images for different purposes
Swap card to swap class !?
 Can
power from a laptop
 HDMI output (if needed)
 But - some Wifi Driver issues – early days...
Now I need your ideas...
A.Stratton@shu.ac.uk