[PLUG] An apology needed? - was [Re: Wanted: handheld data collection device with Linux OS]

[Richard Owlett]

On 11/15/2018 09:10 AM, Johnathan Mantey wrote:
> Richard,
> 
> I viewed one of the links I provided in the "old devices" thread, related
> to this one.  It seems based on what I just read that the *Noodle Pi* may
> be very close to your list of requirements.

Mea Culpa.
I investigated Raspberry Pi about a year ago. If I had wanted to do an 
engineering prototype it was computationally suitable. But too much 
assembly was required and a useful case required access to a 3-D printer.

I thought the Noodle Pi was one of those projects "available real soon" 
having the problems listed above. Your post prompted a search yielding 
[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hash42/noodle-pi-the-complete-raspberry-pi-pocket-compute]. 
*NICE*!!! He may be prophet &/or mind-reader ;} The designer obviously 
has more real world real world experience than demonstrated by most of 
the crowd funded projects I looked at.

I haven't followed enough links to find if the assembled version has off 
the shelf retail availability. If not, it is likely worth waiting for.

Thank you for persistence.

> I also sent another link, which I have not viewed, comparing 5 different
> handheld devices (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXNllO79_68)

I have a low data cap so I routinely don't follow youtube links.
> 
> You hadn't commented on the info provided, so I wanted to add it to this
> thread.
> 
> On Thu, Nov 15, 2018 at 6:32 AM Richard Owlett <rowlett at cloud85.net> wrote:
> 
>> On 11/13/2018 07:46 PM, Russell Senior wrote:
>>> On Tue, Nov 13, 2018 at 1:26 PM Richard Owlett <rowlett at cloud85.net>
>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I know I have *WEIRD* preferences.
>>>>
>>>> How should I pose questions in a manner that they would be taken
>>>>     _ *EXTREMELY LITERALLY* _?
>>>
>>> You should pose it knowing that you may get answers that don't fit
>>> perfectly. You are responsible for wading through the responses and
>>> extracting the value you can. They may be the best answers available
>>> from the people you are asking. Learn to live with that.
>>>
>>
>> ROFL? Don't know if I should laugh, cry, groan, or inspire a SNL skit ;}
>> Been "living with 'it' " for ~half a century :}
>> Who? Me? Strange world view? <snicker>
>>
>> More seriously, compared to other fora this one has a better track
>> record of answering the questions actually asked rather than the
>> question that some wished I had asked.
>>
>> You have to see the humor of this thread.
>>
>> 1. I state I'm interested in current production.
>>      It is suggested I buy decade old units on ebay.
>>      Some came closer by mentioning things that barely made it out of
>>      a crowd funding phase before ceasing production.
>>
>> 2. I specify *"physical form factor similar to a Palm Pilot"* and
>>      having USB connectivity.
>>      I can't have that as USB did not exist in Palm Pilot era.
>>
>> 3. I specify a "Linux device" and " *NOT* be shipped with Android OS".
>>      I'm told that is unreasonable as ~"everybody uses Android".
>>      [One person did point to a device shipped with Linux dual booted. It
>>       meets my underlying requirement on not having to deal with Android.
>>       It is unclear if it has yet entered production &/or ships with my
>>       preferred mix of options. I'm tracking it.]
>>
>> I've had requests for justification of some of my specifications.
>>
>> My physical environment strongly influences my choices:
>>     1. due to >70 years of wear-n-tear my doctor would like data.
>>     2. pen and paper is non-viable.
>>     3. I'm on an exercise program which would benefit from records.
>>     4. walking with a pair of forearm crutches which introduces
>>        portability issues.
>>
>> I specify Linux for choice of installing only relevant software
>> and is easily customized - in my case by Tcl/Tk scripts.
>>
>> Android is not acceptable due to personal experience. A few years ago
>> Lenovo had a cell phone available in three configurations:
>>     1. with sim card and a cell phone carrier.
>>     2. with no sim card installed making cell connectivity optional.
>>     3. *without* possibility of installing a sim card.
>> I bought one of the later discovering:
>>     1. primary source of _free software_ was Google who required an
>>        unacceptable amount of personal info for "free" software.
>>     2. it placed unreasonable barriers to installing a preferred OS.
>>
>> I referenced Palm Pilot due to it's form factor and capabilities:
>>     1. nominal size 6" x 4" x 1" would be good - thinner better.
>>     2. as an example of minimal capabilities.
>>
>> Cell connectivity serves no useful purpose and gives manufacturers
>> unreasonable justifications for restrictions on user modifications
>> to their personal property. Current discussion of E911 connectivity
>> requirements without a sim card points out possible undesirable
>> unintended side effects of unintentional 911 calls.
>> unreasonable range.
>>
>> Specifying availability from U.S. retail vendor handles some personal
>> preferences.
>>
>> A long winded post. But ... ;/
>>
>> Owl ducks fer cover.