Post by @ajroach42@retro.social

Today is my first day running my offline first kit in public since I rebuilt it.
The plan was for my offline first kit to include:
- HP Omnibook 300/425
- MP3 player
- chargers/adapters/batteries
- Still camera
- Video camera
- Playdate
- Headphones
- Folding Keyboard
- eBook reader

But when I put the bag together, I left my mp3 player out of it. That was a mistake, and I'm not sure where I left it.

So I'll have to figure that out.

But I'm typing this post right now on the omnibook. I've written a very simple utility that runs in termux on my phone that will take any text files in the "toots" folder on the omnibook CF card and post them to retro.

I haven't tried it yet, as of writing this post (I will have tried it as of you reading thispost, and I will respond to this post with feedback.)

I don't yet have my folding keyboard, either. The idea is that the folding keyboard will serve as a backup for if I end up needing to do network connected work while away from my real laptop.

I had a folding keyboard, but it's busted and I didn't realize. I've ordered a replacement.

I'm also strongly considering getting SSH2 working on this machine over serial, or getting an SSH2 client implemented for an ESP32 that I can hang off the back of the serial port on this box.

That wouldn't solve my network problem in *every* case, but it'd get me like 75% of the way there.

I did, with all my adaptors, manage to grab my USB-C to Headphone adapter, so I am listening to music as I type this.

I also grabbed my ebook reader, which I was excited about. It's a very cheap pocket sized doodad that I've only used a little bit.

But it's microUSB A, not USB C. And I did not grab any micro USB A cables in my quest to cable up this bag.

I have a book though, and a paper notebook, and I'm generally feeling pretty good about this setup.

Federation Bot

@Federation_Bot · 7 months ago

@ajroach42 That pocket ereader is not one that I've heard of before. Physical buttons!

Andrew (Television Executive)

@ajroach42@retro.social · 7 months ago

@kelbot It was dirt cheap when I got mine too. Like, under $50.

But the tariffs happened and so it's $120 now.

But yeah, it works reasonably well.

Federation Bot

@Federation_Bot · 7 months ago

I want a little box that plugs into my serial port and exposes itself as if it is a serial connection to another computer. And, in many ways I guess it would be a serial connection to another computer, but that other computer would be an appliance.

And then, I want that other computer to handle my ssh sessions, and maybe have some local file storage.

I guess a USB port on the little fella wouldn't hurt? Some basic shell commands? Gimme that file please.

If there was also a way to turn that into TCP all the better (and there is! Or at least there was.)

I guess I need to build a thing.

Kye Fox

@Kye@tech.lgbt · 7 months ago

@ajroach42 I believe you just described a modem.

faehnrich

@faehnrich@bsd.network · 7 months ago

@ajroach42 how's your phone read the omni CF card?

Dave Slusher - Hacker/Maker

@geniodiabolico@social.ellijaymakerspace.org · 7 months ago

@ajroach42 One of my listeners pointed me to this: https://www.elecrow.com/crowview-note-all-in-one-portable-monitor-phone-to-laptop-device-with-full-featured-type-c-sbcs-mini-pc-pc-game-console-compatibility.html basically a laptop body that you plug your phone or tablet into. I really like such things but the truth is without a day job I seldom spend much time outside the house. Occasionally I'll kill time at a car dealership or a hotel room but more often than not I'm right here. Turns out I'm pretty good with that.

I do have some folding bluetooth keyboards that I like to throw in my cargo pants pocket when killing time.

Jonathan Lamothe

@me@social.jlamothe.net · 7 months ago

@ajroach42 I really like this idea, but have never heard of this "playdate" you speak of. What is it?