Re: [NTLK] Useless(?) update function

From: Jim Witte (jswitte_at_bloomington.in.us)
Date: Thu Dec 26 2002 - 14:36:06 EST


> However, it seems ridiculous [..] with the concept of someone
> maintaining a phone line for this purpose...

   What about using it in connection with a modem as a way to download a
package like NewtSync? With a new newt the only way to get anything
onto it is by serial port (find an old mac or get a keyspan adapter).
Even then, the only way is with the built-in Dock, which isn't
completely deciphered yet (AFAIK ;-) But if you could write a program
that would let you just connect the modem (phone line) port of a mac
directly to a Newton modem (granted you would still need the Newton
modem..) that would let you bootstrap something on.

   Another interesting possibility for bootstrapping (though probably
*much* harder and even more pointless in terms of cost saved) would be
to reverse-engineer the Newton beaming protocol for packages (based on
Sharp ASK?). Then hook it up as a USB device. (<really dreaming here,
it's late> Hmm, anybody got a chip-fab handy - get the USB firmware on
a single chip, there might just be room for a USB port in place of the
IR diodes..!)

Jim

-- 
This is the NewtonTalk list - http://www.newtontalk.net/ for all inquiries
List FAQ/Etiquette/Terms: http://www.newtontalk.net/faq.html
Official Newton FAQ: http://www.chuma.org/newton/faq/



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Wed Jan 01 2003 - 10:02:56 EST