2/9/09

[14:44:21] A commit is the framework of revisions made for source codes. It is like an update or a patch. When changes are made to a source code, a commit is issued to keep others updated and/or allow them to perform new functions or to preform old functions more efficiently. A commit with version control systems is less probable to cause trouble, as it allows "rolling back". This is similar to the "undo" function found in most word processors and games.

2/5/09

[02:03:56] Sysfs is a virtual file system supplied by Linux 2.6. It is responsible for exporting information about devices and drivers from the kernel device model to the userspace. It can also be used for configuration. [03:11:42] UnionFS is a filesystem service for FreeBSD and Linux. It incorporates a union mount for other file systems and allows branches to be transparently overlaid, forming a single, reliable file system. A union mount allows several different file systems to be mounted simultaneously.

1/3/09

[03:13:15] According to ds2, rotating media uses up a lot of battery power. [03:10:35] In this case, HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive, which is a type of rotating media. HDD can also stand for High Definition Display. High Definition video refers to any video system with a higher resolution than that of the standard-definition video.

[03:13:40] A solid-state driver (SSD) is a device that stores persistent data by utilizes solid-state memory. An SSD mimics a hard disk drive interface, thereby replacing it in most applications.

1/29/09

[08:39:22] Apparently imgtec is short for Imagination Technologies. Imagination Technologies (formerly known as VideoLogic) has a branch called PowerVR that creates both hardware and software intellectual property for 2D and 3D rendering.

It also creates these intellectual property for video encoding, decoding, and associated image processing. PowerVR SGX is a pixel, vertex, and geometry shader hardware.

1/26/09

[05:22:10] GPIO is an acroynym that stands for General Purpose Input/ Output.

GPIOs are often placed into groups of 8 pins. In some cases, GPIOs may use Direct Memory Access in order to move large amounts of data in an efficient manner.

[05:31:29] PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect and is a commonly used interface. Typical PCI cards used in PCs include: sound cards, USB/Serial ports, and other such hardware. The PCI Local Bus (often referred to as PCI), is used for attaching hardware devices in a computer such as a planar device (an Integrated Circuit that is mounted onto the motherboard), or an expansion card.

BeagleBoard Contest

The first ever BeagleBoard design contest has ended. The top 2 winners recieved a BeagleBoard Rev C1 as their prize. The BeagleBoard revision C1 has a working USB HOST and the newest OMAP3 silicon revision. The winners are recieving their boards 2 month before it is made publically available by DigiKey, in March of 2009.

The winning design was the BeagleBot, which essentially dodged walls and obstacles. The projects entered into the contest can be found at http://elinux.org/BeagleBoard/contest. This cite also provides information on the contest, judging criteria, and judging results.

The second contest's dates have not yet been decided on, but it is said that the deadline will be no earlier than February 12th, 2009. We encourage everybody to enter a project in the next contest. I look forward to seeing all of your creative and innovative designs.

12/11-12/08

[09:01:26] The SRM firmware, also referred to as the SRM console, is the boot firmware for computer systems based on the Alpha AXP microprocessor. The acronym SRM originated form the phrase Alpha System Reference Manual. The SRM console is capable of display on either a graphical adapter or a serial connection to a VT100-compatible terminal.

In the context of Beagle, the SRM refers to the System Reference Manual as was written by Gerald Coley and shared at http://beagleboard.org/static/BBSRM_latest.pdf.

[09:07:51] A .tar file (Commonly referred to as a tarball) is usually compressed to save disk space. Tar (derived from tape archive) is both a file format and the name of the program used for handling tar files. It is commonly used to assemble collections of files into one larger file, while maintaining file system information.