[Wolfgang Spraul <wolfgang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard,

> Does the Ben have a mini-USB connector?

The Ben has a mini-USB (mini-B) connector, but it only works as a USB
device, not a host.

> Could we use a USB hub to connect a keyboard and mouse?

No you can only connect a USB hub to a USB host. Won't work in the Ben.

> Also, could we use one of those USB headphones with microphone for
> audio in and out for development?

Same, the Ben can only connect to a host, not to other devices.
However, we are working on adding a USB host (probably a second, micro-AB
connector) to the Ya NanoNote (second version NanoNote). We will have some
prototypes soon, maybe in a few weeks, and we will offer them to interested
developers.

That still doesn't change anything for the Ben though, which does not have
USB host capabilities. You need to connect it to your computer to transfer
data, or via the microSD card.

> I have a tutorial on SCST to give at LinuxCon in September, so I guess
> it can wait until October.

If an early-access device helps you, get in touch with Mirko or Steve they
are running the program.

Wolfgang

On Sat, Aug 22, 2009 at 03:58:48AM -0700, Richard Sharpe wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 3:56 AM, Wolfgang
> Spraul<wolfgang@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Richard,
> >
> >> The Qi Ben would seem to have some promise as a language learning tool
> >> that I have been thinking of for some time and given the number of
> >> people trying to learn Mandarin, could prove interesting.
> >
> > Absolutely. Totally agree. Only problem is great software ;-)
> 
> Sure. This has occupied my thoughts for some time, and like Ethereal
> back in about 1999, it seems the right time to do something.
> 
> >> The specs say that it has a headphone jack and a microphone, but would
> >> it be possible to use one of those integrated headphone and microphone
> >> devices on a single jack?
> >
> > Sorry the Ben only has stereo-out. For the Ya we are thinking about changing
> > to a 3.5mm TRRS connector, i.e. one that also has mic-in. Like the iPhone.
> > Needs to be discussed more on the list. Some people want 2.5mm but I
> > think those are so badly de-standardized that most people just hate them.
> >
> >> One of the tools for tone analysis that is available would require
> >> reasonable audio input ...
> >
> > Only microphone in the Ben.
> 
> OK, in any event, having thought about it more, that is a feature that
> can wait until the basic functionality is done.
> 
> Does the Ben have a mini-USB connector? Could we use a USB hub to
> connect a keyboard and mouse?
> 
> Also, could we use one of those USB headphones with microphone for
> audio in and out for development?
> 
> >> Of course, it might prove hard to get the performance I want from Java
> >> as well, as I am thinking of a Java-based app.
> >
> > Should be OK, but of course needs testing.
> >
> >> BTW, when can I get one
> >
> > Buy hopefully in October. Before that I believe we have an early-access
> > program for people that can commit to some SW development.
> 
> I have a tutorial on SCST to give at LinuxCon in September, so I guess
> it can wait until October.
> 
> >> do you have the tool-chain readily available for download from your site?
> >
> > Automatically built as part of OpenWrt.
> > Our tree currently is at github.com/lindnermarek
> > We are in the process of setting up project managemeng (indefero) on
> > qi-hardware.com, then we will move it there...
> >
> > Please let's move as much emails as possible to the qi developer list so
> > others can benefit as well and the questions and answers get archived.
> > You can subscribe at lists.qi-hardware.com ('developers' list)
> > Thanks,
> > Wolfgang
> >
> > On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 12:44:40AM -0700, Richard Sharpe wrote:
> >> On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 11:24 AM, Steve Mosher<steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >> > �Richard,
> >> > �See comments inlined.
> >>
> >> Thanks for your comments. While I find it hard to imagine how you can
> >> size your company to make a profit on a smallish number of units
> >> shipped, I have some questions.
> >>
> >> The Qi Ben would seem to have some promise as a language learning tool
> >> that I have been thinking of for some time and given the number of
> >> people trying to learn Mandarin, could prove interesting.
> >>
> >> The specs say that it has a headphone jack and a microphone, but would
> >> it be possible to use one of those integrated headphone and microphone
> >> devices on a single jack?
> >>
> >> One of the tools for tone analysis that is available would require
> >> reasonable audio input ...
> >>
> >> Of course, it might prove hard to get the performance I want from Java
> >> as well, as I am thinking of a Java-based app.
> >>
> >> BTW, when can I get one, and do you have the tool-chain readily
> >> available for download from your site?
> >>
> >> > On Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Richard Sharpe
> >> > <realrichardsharpe@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> Hi Steve,
> >> >>
> >> >> It was interesting to see that you are involved with Qi ... I have
> >> >> been learning Cantonese for more than 20 years (because of marriage)
> >> >> and have been learning Mandarin now for a few years.
> >> >>
> >> >> I have a question about this open hardware stuff. I work for Data
> >> >> Robotics and we do quite a bit of Linux stuff now internally with our
> >> >> iSCSI units and have shipped more than 60,000 of the original 4-slot
> >> >> Drobos. However, I think that the open hardware route does not promise
> >> >> to ship large numbers of units because of the limited appeal of the
> >> >> devices. What sort of compelling application will they have such that
> >> >> you can ship a large number of units?
> >> >
> >> > �� We don't depend on shipping a large number of units but would gladly do
> >> > so.
> >> > �� The company is sized to be profitable with small volumes. In terms of
> >> > software
> >> > �� applications initially we are looking at a variety of them.
> >> > �� �1. Open Content "viewers"
> >> > �� � � � a. CC video
> >> > �� � � � b. �Audio and audio recording
> >> > �� � � � c. Wikimedia content
> >> > �� � � � � � � 1. wikipedia
> >> > �� � � � � � � 2. wikidictionary
> >> > �� � � � � � � 3. wikitravel
> >> > �� �2. Network services
> >> > �� � � � a. IM
> >> > �� � � � b. SMS
> >> > �� � � � c. "twitter type"
> >> > �� �3. Sysadmin device.
> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >> I must admit that over the years there have been several open hardware
> >> >> projects that have been appealing, and Qi looks interesting from the
> >> >> point of view of playing with the devices, but it would seem that only
> >> >> open software projects have seen widespread use. I have worked on
> >> >> Samba and Ethereal/Wireshark (I did a number of the early dissectors,
> >> >> including the first SMB dissector, a long time ago) and neither of
> >> >> those have brought me lots of income, but Samba has allowed me to get
> >> >> employed at a number of places in the Valley.
> >> >
> >> > ��Ideally we find software partners to take the device and create
> >> > interesting devices
> >> >>
> >> >> These days my interests tend to be with SCSI in the Linux kernel as
> >> >> well as file system topics.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Regards,
> >> >> Richard Sharpe
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Regards,
> >> Richard Sharpe
> >
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Regards,
> Richard Sharpe