Picture Frame iBook

From Harper Reed's Wiki

I have always wanted a digital picture frame. I originally thought that the audrey would fulfill my need - but it became apparent that i needed something much more powerful. I needed something that i could manage remotely and could run reasonable programs on. I needed a technology that would allow me to use open source software to display and manipulate the pictures as well as possible. I thought of using a custom linux solution - but decided that it would be cost prohibitive. I also noticed that there are a handfull of good picture frame tutorials already on the internet - so i checked them out and noticed a really nice powerbook hack as well as the apple duo hack and got to thinking about my roommates old clamshell ibook sitting in the corner...

The clamshell ibook is a good choice because:

OSX - it can natively run a lot of the apps i was dreaming about
Small Form factor - it is already small and can get smaller thanks to Apples brilliant component design
Good Screen - has a decent screen
Heat dissipation - doesn't run hot
Cheap - sub $500
Ports - has airport(802.11), ethernet, usb and line out all built in.

So i went to it.

1 iBook Specs
2 Steps
- 2.1 Experimentation
- 2.2 Mounting
3 next steps
4 resources
- 4.1 links
5 Other

iBook Specs

CPU: PowerPC 750
CPU Speed: 300 MHz
Screen: 12.1" active matrix
Maximum Resolution: 24 bit 800x600
Hard Disk: 3.2/6 GB
Ethernet: 10/100Base-T
USB: 1
Audio Out: stereo 16 bit mini
Airport card

Steps

Experimentation

Mounting

next steps

Hardware

get Frame
Mount LCD and Motherboard.
mount wifi antennae
mount usb hub
make it look solid
infrared remote

software

possibly reinstall/clean osX 10.3 installation.
write web app in php/xml/flash to display pictures.
integrate with nata2.org so that certain email address posts messages or pictures/url
have some form of input so that we can control the pictures or whatever. maybe a joystick?
run apache/php for the webapp
run ssh for the maintenance
write webapp so nata2.org visitors can manipulate it.

case

nice wood frame
elegant
vented sides and back
sunk in power cord and usb terminals

wish list

make power switch
add keypad for control
sink mini trackball in the side.
make power cord better

resources

Other

i will make one for you for around $500 plus old ibook. so buy an old ibook, send me $500 and i will send you it all in a frame with a handy interface.

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This page was last modified 23:28, 1 February 2008. This page has been accessed 92 times.