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Net Gains (Jul 23, 99) |
That was then, this is now and technology
has changed a lot in-between. Besides tolling in 1999, the bells
also tolled in the World's Smallest Operational Web Server
(also known as the Matchbox Web Server) in January 99. As you
log onto the site, the first picture you see is a snap of this
web server beside a match-box. If you don't get carried away by
the body-double of Arnold on the matchbox, fascination will take
over as you realise that the very page you're logged on to is
hosted on this matchbox-size machine that is also a web server!
For the technically inclined, this is a single-board AMD 486-SX
computer with a 66 MHz CPU, 16 MB RAM, and 16 MB flash ROM, big
enough to hold a useful amount of RedHat 5.2 Linux including the
HTTP daemon that runs the web server. At relatively low usage
levels it consumes 800 milliwatts from a 5V power supply, rising
to 2 watts at 100% CPU usage. If you didn't understand that previous
line, just click on the picture for a closer look and a chance
to gaze some more in awe. It really is only slightly higher and
wider than a box of matches but is one third the thickness, measuring
2.8" by 1.8" by .2" for a volume of about a cubic
inch, less than a tenth the size of the previous record holder.
And if you're interested in making a similar system for yourself,
they've been generous enough to give you step-by-step instructions.
Goaded by the interest in the matchbox
web server, the developers went onto build the Matchbox PC.
This is a fully functional PC, including VGA, LCD, printer port,
floppy connector, two serial ports, 10 Mb/s ethernet, and a 340
MB disk drive. This is sufficient for a full installation of either
Windows 95 or Linux including web browser while leaving plenty
of room for third party software and databases - what more could
you ask for? And for all you non-believers, there are 54 thumbnail
images you can click on to closely observe the details. These
snaps were taken during the flight to CeBIT, Germany. There's
one picture with the PC next to the mouse, giving you an idea
of how tiny the PC actually is - don't miss it.
If the above fascinated you, a must
visit is The MIT Wearable Computing Web Page which explains
what wearables are, and has links to other wearable resources.
And if they have their way, a person's computer should be worn,
much as eyeglasses or clothing are worn, and interact with the
user based on the context of the situation…for now however,
Swatch is giving the finishing touches to Swatch Access wristwatch
- which will be able to access email! Don't forget to surf over
to the Wearable Computing Infobase - a categorised list
of wearable devices that you may be interested in exploring -
from audio to photo albums. And if you can't get enough, make
your reservations for The International Symposium on Wearable
Computing
to be held in San Francisco October 18-19, 1999 - time,
and money permitting, of course!
Log on next week for your
monthly dose of freebies!