At Atlanta's Hartsfield airport, Delta has installed displays at every
gate of theirs.  They use flat screen panels that tell all sorts of
information about the flight at that gate.

Can you please tell me how they do this?  What are the components of
their system?  How do they send specific information to each gate's
displays?  Also, what kind of flat screens do they use?
Bottom Line: I'm intrigued by their ability to give so much specific
information to each gate.  How do they do it?

---

Request for Question Clarification by alienintelligence-ga on 25 Aug 2002 07:00 PDT

Hi vla1...

Were they ONLY in the Delta terminals?

It might be displays such as these?

[ http://www.daktronics.com/dak_news_releases.cfm?page=1473 ]

I have found some airports do display
upgrades themselves, but that link 
from daktronics might be the clue.

I don't suppose anyone will be at 
their phones till Monday. Sigh, why
can't everyone be open 7 days a week.

I found this link about delta at
Hartsfield... it's about the surface
movement system. Seems like Delta 
has been busy.
[ http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:epp5rMe670gC:ic.arc.nasa.gov/traject/pdf/smabenefits.pdf+Atlanta%27s+Hartsfield+airport,+Delta+display&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
]


If you're really just interested in the 
technology, I can probably provide a 
thorough explanation without additional
links or info. But I'd feel better having at
least a few corroborative links for your
money and benefit though. I’m sure it’s
an addressed system, using either thin
clients, or dumb terminals. A little code
to tie them all together. Probably rather
automatic. I’d be curious to know myself
if it’s wireless, or has cables involved.
Also what OS it’s on… did they submit
to the ONE, or go with the open system
architecture. But overall, not much magic
to the information. One database, some 
good code and probably the only human
intervention is the initial setup and
flight updates. But those updates are
probably auto also.


-AI

---

Clarification of Question by vla1-ga on 25 Aug 2002 10:53 PDT

Why can't everyone be open 7 days a week...so true.

The displays that I'm referring to are unique to Delta's gates in
Atlanta, tho the link you provided says that Boston would be first
(how old is the link?).  It's not wireless; I can see cables running
from the display units (they're Pioneer displays, I think) into the
ceiling.

It's hard for me to think that there's a computer sitting at each gate
just to run the display.  The display includes general air travel
safety info, specific flight info, and also real-time updates on seat
availability and stand-by seat assignments - so it's definitely
connected to some part of the reservation system (specific to a given
flight?).

I'd be interested in the technology pieces of the puzzle that you can
provide, coupled with what you can find out about how Delta's doing
it.  I know it's not rocket science, but don't know the pieces.

Thanks.

---

Request for Question Clarification by alienintelligence-ga on 28 Aug 2002 02:35 PDT

Hi vla1...

If I can close in on the info you
are requesting, I might be able
to provide the answer you are
looking for. Are you solely 
wanting the technical details of
how to disseminate data that is
culled from a central database, 
addressed to varied multiple
displays? Or do you want to 
know specifically how to wire
your house for multi-access?
Or are you specifically looking
for the Delta display system?

I could get the details for 
their system, but it more than
likely won't be reasonably
scalable to what you are wanting.

If you just want the  really nice
centrally served multiple point of
access with displays in a residence...
well, I have been known to do those 
before ;-)

Since you are offering a generous
sum for research, if you provide
your expectations for the answer,
we will be able to help you easier.
Then we can get your answer more
precise.

thanks,
-AI

---

Clarification of Question by vla1-ga on 29 Aug 2002 16:44 PDT

O.K. - here are the specs.  What I need is a good idea of the puzzle's
pieces: hardware, software, communication equip, and maybe a brief
schematic (how they'll work together).  The schematic has 2 versions:
1.) a LAN version (all displays are connected to some kind of
network); 2.) A non-LAN version: in this case, the display units are
separated by more distance (a wireless LAN or BlueTooth isn't an
option).  Regardless, I want the individual displays to show images /
graphics / video specific to that location.  My question has to do
with how to build such a "network", and how to get specific displays
to operate independently, but from the same central source of
information.

The network is a campsite information system.  Each campsite has a
display.  When the camper checks in, s/he selects the type of
information that s/he wants to have displayed during the stay.  This
may be local weather or local vegetation information or local forest
animal information or national sports.  Whatever.  All of the
information is housed in a database at the check-in office.  There are
no content controls on the display units (like a channel selector). 
Finally, the check-in office has to have the ability to push
"emergency" content to all displays at the same time, in the event of
urgent weather conditions.

Problem #1: What does this setup look like if each campsite is not
connected to any network or electrical hookup (or no network but yes
electrical).

Problem #2: What does this setup look like if both power and network
connectivity is available?

I know it's kooky, but an interesting problem to me.
Thanks again!

This was an interesting and educational search. From my mother, a
retired airline employee, I learned that airport informational
displays are generically called "Flight Information Data Systems,"
often abbreviated as "FIDS." Using various combinations of search
terms including "FIDS," "monitors," "Delta," and Atlanta," I found an
online reference to Delta's system in Atlanta. This was originally
part of a Web site at www.fasl.co.uk ; the page has been taken down,
but Google's cache provided this snippet of data that led me to more
information elsewhere:

"FASL is in the process of implementing a flight information system
for Delta Airlines as a subcontractor to ARINC. The implementation
includes multiple central host servers and a flight database located
in Atlanta with information being distributed to public display and
staff terminals at over 20 USA airports. The first of the remote
airport systems went operational at Boston Airport in October 1999.
The La Guardia and Los Angeles systems went live in June 2000 with the
remaining airports going on-line in 2001."

http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cache:2PnhSbnj0YoC:www.fasl.co.uk/faslrefs.htm+fids+monitors+atlanta&hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8

( NOTE: If the above link does not work, please use this abbreviated
version: http://tinyurl.com/15fg )

FASL is Ferranti Air Systems Limited, a division of Ultra Electronics.
Here, from the new FASL site, is an overview of the integrated system
that enables Delta's monitors to provide such a wide array of flight
information:

UltraDB - Airport Operational Database
FASL Airport Operational Database (UltraDB) has been designed as the
central hub for integration of systems throughout an airport. UltraDB
acts as the catalyst for achieving airport systems integration. It
provides highly available data storage and distribution in a
controlled and structured way. Information held in UltraDB includes
seasonal, current and historic flight information as well as
information required for the efficient and cost-effective management
of the complete airport environment.

System Integration using UltraDB
Having accurate operational information at the correct time is vital
for every airport, whether operating a new or existing facility.
UltraDB offers two important functions to achieve this goal:

The primary role of the AODB is to act as the central repository for
operational data, which are typically sourced from different
application systems
The secondary role is to control information exchange between
application systems. This is provided by the Information Manager (IM).
Information distribution is a particularly important requirement and
allows accurate information to be exchanged between multiple
application systems.

Open Access
Open access and distribution of information to any user is a major
feature of UltraDB. It was a specific design aim that the IM should
use well accepted industry standard interfaces, such as SQL and XML.
As a result, the task of integrating external application systems
through the IM is simplified and can be easily achieved at minimum
cost and risk.

Flight Information Display System - UltraFIDS
Information Provider
FASL's Flight Information Display System (UltraFIDS) provides
comprehensive facilities for the display of flight-related information
on a variety of public and staff display devices.

Optimum Functionality
For public and staff flight information, UltraFIDS supports full
display capabilities including:

Text in a variety of fonts, styles and colours 
The display of airline logos, bitmaps, photographic images and video
clips
Multilingual displays 
Visual paging that allows passenger and staff messages to be entered
and displayed on individual or groups of monitors
Advertising displays, automatically activated

The solution is fully scalable from a small system driving a few
monitor displays, to a fully integrated display system driving several
hundred devices.

The power of UltraFIDS puts the user in control. Page selection and
display is either manual or automatic and page generation is fast and
extremely user friendly, being accomplished off-line with the use of
familiar graphics tools.

Display Boards
FASL has a growing library of standard drivers for many of the display
devices available to the industry. The system supports a variety of
output media including monitors, LCD, LED and split flap display
boards.

UltraFIDS Users
The FASL display client that operates in the UltraFIDS displays uses
the Client/Server approach and supports both staff and public
monitors. Web support for flight information is also available for a
client using a standard Web browser.

Ferranti Air Systems, Ltd: UltraDB
http://www.fasl.co.uk/solutions/db.asp

Ferranti Air Systems, Ltd: UltraFIDS
http://www.fasl.co.uk/solutions/fids.asp

Two FASL brochures in .pdf format that may interest you can be
downloaded from the site. These do not display very well on most
monitors, but they are quite legible when printed out on a
high-resolution laser printer:

FASL: UltraDB
http://www.fasl.co.uk/solutions/db.pdf

FASL: UltraFIDS
http://www.fasl.co.uk/solutions/fids.pdf

If you don't already have it on your computer, you need to install
Adobe Acrobat reader software in order to view pdf files like the ones
linked above. You can download Acrobat Reader 5 here:
 
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html  

In addition to UltraDB and UltraFIDS, Ferranti Air Systems Ltd. also
offers several other integrated airline data packages: UltraMIS
(Management Information System,) UltraTrak (baggage management and
reconciliation system,) UltraResource (resource allocation system,)
UltraControl (SCADA, supervisory control and data acquisition,) and SI
(systems integration.) Details about these can be found with the use
of pull-down menus on the FASL site:

http://www.fasl.co.uk/index.asp

I hope this information is useful to you. If anything in my answer is
in need of explanation, or if any of the links are nonfunctional,
please ask for clarification.

Best regards,
pinkfreud

---

Request for Answer Clarification by vla1-ga on 25 Aug 2002 13:26 PDT

Your answer is very thorough, however my question has more to do with
the technical implementation of this capability, rather than the
products and services of a company like FASL.

What I want to take away from this is: What if I wanted to build a
display-network (like the one I mentioned) in another setting?  What
would I need to buy, build and program?  How is each gate's
information handled separately (i.e., A28's info is unique to that
flight and displays only there, while A29's info is kept similarly
segregated and displayed)?

If I wanted to build a similar system for my home (a flat panel
display for every room w/ unique info for that room), how should I do
it?

---

Clarification of Answer by pinkfreud-ga on 25 Aug 2002 15:36 PDT

I am sorry to have misunderstood your question. Perhaps another
researcher will be able to acquire more data on this subject.
Regarding the matter of "How do they do it?", since FASL is selling
its UltraFID package in a competitive market, I think it is unlikely
that they would release exact details of their proprietary system,
beyond what they have published on their Web site and in the brochures
linked above.

~pinkfreud

In reposting this question, I'm looking for technical help, not
business research.

I'd like to "build my own" display network, similar to that described
in my first write up and clarification.  Please assist.

Thanks.

Good and thorough answer....but to the wrong question.

Hi again vla1...

Kooky? Not at all... this sounds fun.
I happen to have a little background
in this exact type of thing. Basically,
(putting it into networkspeak) it seems
like you want an Intranet based, Wide
Area Network tied to a "centrally located"
webserver/database that doesn't need to
be located anywhere near the individual
camp sites (stations) or campground even.

There are some extremely complicated ways
to get this type of result, expensive also.
But I have found most clientele like it
simple & self-serviceable. A company like Delta
probably does little "in-house" MIS work. They
don't have the time to consider such things.
So the turnkey system they use is probably 
attractive since it more than likely does
include some type of on-site tech support.
In a basic fashion, the Delta system will
work just as the system I am describing 
here. But I am describing a system you
could probably have running in a few days
if not a week with stuff you get from a 
local PC store. Not to mention, a large
difference in cost between the two. The
Delta system is probably overkill on several
levels too.

Some may recoil in fear of insecure servers.
Hacked webservers, private information is
disseminated, etc. What was that info doing
there anyway? Do you leave your wallet lying
around when you expect company? Um, that's a
tangent.

Getting hacked typically happens when one either
plans poorly or succumbs to laziness or acts 
uninformed in their purchases. 

Not necessarily in any particular order and one
doesn't exclude the other. Sometimes the guilt
is not only on the end-user's part, but also
frequently now, on the OS's manufacturer's behalf. 


With that said, we are going with Linux ;0)


That means any computer based on
any of these CPUs would be fine to use:

[ http://www.redhat.com/support/hardware/intel/62/rh6.2-hcl-i.ld-2.html
]
Pentium: The Linux kernel supports these outside of the box and
 bypasses several known bugs in those chips (old Pentium
 division, so-called f00f, and several others.)

Pentium II: We don't know of any incompatibilities with Intel's
 Pentium II chips. The Linux kernel does not take advantage of
 its MMX technology though.

Pentium III: We don't know of any incompatibilities with Intel's
 Pentium new III. The Linux kernel does not take advantage of its
 MMX technology though. The lifetime of the Pentium III has also
 been short enough to consider it "bleeding edge" technology.

Pentium Xeon: Likewise in respect of the Xeons.

Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III SMP
 (symmetric multi-processor) machines are supported out of the
 box with Red Hat Linux 6.2/Intel. The install will detect
 supported chipsets on supported motherboards and install the
 correct SMP kernel for your system.

[ http://hardware.redhat.com/hcl/genpage2.cgi?pagename=hcl&view=allhardware&vendor=399&class=2#list
]



Being able to use a wide variety of hardware simplifies
the planning and helps avoid the laziness. How do you
avoid the laziness? You don't dread the setup, you
don't dread the maintenance and the security... so 
you do it. You are getting off-the-shelf parts and 
computers. You don't have to worry about the overhead
in new equipment that may be outdated before the entire
setup is rolled out. That said, you do have to plan
for the future somewhat and predict the necessary
growth.

{Boy it sounds like I do this for a living or something}


So far we have Linux and common everyday computers. 
A free OS and bargain basement PC's, look at this one:

[ http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=S451-3025
]

That would need a CPU... $98 anyone?
[ http://www.accubyte.com/applications/search/itemdetails.asp?sku=inp415-4&sc=pi
]

Memory
[ http://www.pricewatch.com/ ]

And a display
[ http://catalogs.google.com/catalogs?num=20&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&issue=12426&catpage=28
]

Keep in mind, I am envisioning these displays being
locked into a sealed and protected housing with a
plastic protective piece in front of the display.

Hard Drive? No thanks... if this will be subject
to extremes, it will be bad enough worrying about
the displays. We will be using non-volatile
memory for the computers. Something like compact
flash:
[ http://www.uwsg.iu.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/0201.3/0325.html ]
[ http://www.tapr.org/tapr/html/Fcfa.html ]

Software maintenance? Load all updates to new Compact
Flash chips at the home location send them out via
one of the shipping companies and the update is
easy enough for a custodian to do. They just take one
chip out, put another one in, mail the old chip
back to you.

It looks like you can even find distributions
preloaded:
[ http://www.sumbox.com/shop/index.html?target=dept_2.html&lang=en-us
]
128Mbyte Linux Compact Flash Card   $ 99.00      
Sandisk 128Mbyte Compact Flash Card
Preloaded with Linux bootable file system 

All in one PCs, like the Gateway Profile 4?
[ http://www.gateway.com/home/prod/hm_aio_completeProfile.shtml ]


Maybe something like this would work better?

All-in-one ala Internet Appliance
[ http://athome.compaq.com/showroom/static/ipaq/intappliance2.asp ]

I got one of these Audrey's for $99
[ http://news.com.com/2100-1040-254497.html?legacy=cnet ]

If it wasn't discontinued, that might even work.
Rather small display though.


Something completely crazy? Maybe too fringe?
[ http://www.sumbox.com/shop/index.html?target=dept_2.html&lang=en-us
]


Presuming a safe orderly server install-base, we have to
figure out what will be at the disposal of the users of
the stations. 

You stated:
"When the camper checks in, s/he selects the type of
information that s/he wants to have displayed during the
stay. This may be local weather / vegetation / animal
info or sports (news, finances, variety, entertainment)
[*have to consider everyone]. ~ All of the information is
housed in a database at the check-in office.  There are
no content controls on the display units (like a channel
selector, knobs, buttons, and presumably no keyboard). 
Finally, the check-in office has to have the ability to
push "emergency" content to all displays at the same
time, in the event of urgent weather conditions."

This screams to me, make some type of dynamic
web content. It doesn't even have to be more 
fancy than basic HTML. Very simple webpages,
that are default and unchangeable views on the
individual campsite "stations". They are modified
and updated on the home server.

What are the campers gonna get? Anything that you
want them to + their content. They will be a
captive audience. Need I say... selling promo spots
to local businesses? For example. You have a camp
site in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There's a
pizza place, a burger joint, a couple grocery 
stores and one gas station. Have them 'sponsor'
the content. 

So whatever you have chosen for the sites, stand
alone PC, I-net appliance, micro PC... can be
housed in a sealed (ventilated, filtered) unit.
With proper construction, no reason they couldn't
be outside. (Sun damage? I can't predict that) 
Maybe a mini kiosk? Like a phone booth to protect it.

For network purposes, CampBlue1.camping4fun.com.
That will be the computer that decentralizes network
access. What I mean by that is, you have to plan
for the main server to be down at some point if
you are at a campsite. Snow, rain, wind, can all 
adversely affect internet access. Yes we need the
internet here. 

Need? Well, not really... but it's soooo much 
easier that way. But I guess since we are already
playing web server, why not play ISP too? In this
scenario, campblue1.camping4fun.com, calls (using
a phone line at the location) into the home server.
Regular intervals. You can also push emergency
and breaking news to all of the sites, if the
campground server has exclusive phone line access. 

Do we actually need a land-line phone?

No, we could even go cellular but I can't predict
what special circumstance would make one choice more
expensive than the other. That requires a site
survey.

[ http://www.rtdusa.com/PC104/UM/modem/GSM35.htm ]

From DIY setups to simple cards

[ http://www.sierrawireless.com/pub/doc/510_Tech_sheetv.3a.pdf ]

I had the opportunity to use the AirCard... very
impressive, but pokey in speed.


You need speed? Maybe. If CampBlue1.camping4fun.com
acts as the host for the individual camp sites, then
maybe a slow cellular link could work. If you are
considering streaming, you will have to get something
faster than a modem. If you can download the content
on a regular timetable, a phoneline and modem would
be fine.

The level of dynamic content you need will directly
affect what type of connection you will need. There
is no way around this. If you REALLY need to serve
emergency information in a timely (up to the minute)
fashion, perhaps a satellite internet connection
would be most ideal:

[ http://www.starband.com/ ]

[ http://www.speedguide.net/editorials/satellite.shtml ]

"So you're waaaaaaay out in the country, and neither DSL
nor Cable is an option. Like say ..in Kosova. Or Bosnia.
Or, God forbid, North Dakota. Perhaps on a ship. You'd
like to get the internet, but carrier pigeon seems to be
your only option. Wherever you are, if you're north of
the equator and have a view of the visible sky to the
south of you, you may have another option. You can
probably get internet ...via Satellite. Yes, just like
Wolf Blitzer and James Bond you too can have nearly
instant communications with the vast internet."

[ http://www.howstuffworks.com/question606.htm ]

Be aware, some satellite systems are 2-way, where
they not only receive internet from the satellite,
but the SEND to the satellite also:

[ http://www.starband.com/howitworks/index.htm ]

---------

There are VPN solutions for StarBand:
[ http://www.starbandusers.com/avpn.htm ]

Kovacs Software has released an accelerated VPN Client /
Server solution called "KSC VPN" that will provide you
with VPN connections over a Starband connection or any
other connection for that matter at the normal speed of
the connection.  In the case of Starband, this means that
it passes through the Nettgain accelerator just as HTTP,
E-Mail and other protocols would.

The Server side of this package also has built-in 
proxying and a DNS server which greatly enhances 
the speed over Starband.  The client server packages 
works very similar to the TCP2HTTP package also 
written by Kovacs Software.  

The bottom line here folks is that if you and/or 
your company needs basic secure E-Mail, News, 
Web browsing and other TCP related information 
passed through a VPN tunnel then this is the 
program for you and it actually works well 
through Starband and other high latency network 
connections.

---------

[ http://ksc.mystarband.net/kscvpn/Overview.htm ]


Line of sight, weather, animals... just a few
of the things that will at some time affect
your internet signal. Site survey again.


Is this where we get to the LAN part? There will
be more than likely some type of LAN involved
at the sites. I can only imagine it would be
prohibitively expensive to have individually
served internet access to each camp site PC. The
least expensive method would be to proxy to,
once again, CampBlue1.camping4fun.com. Each site
will be then CampBlue1S01.camping4fun.com, 
CampBlue1S02.camping4fun.com, etc. They are 
directly accessible from the "main" server, 
homesrvr.camping4fun.com. If you haven't noticed
I'm presuming a "home office" somewhere other
than the camp ground. And if you haven't guessed
yet, I would be using TCP/IP in this scenario.
Remember, we want this user friendly, easily
scalable and upgradable.

So, LAN, yes... necessary at some level.

-=-_-=--=-_-=--=-_-=--=-_-=--=-_-=--=-_-=-

Problem #1: What does this setup look like if each
campsite is not connected to any network or electrical
hookup (or no network but yes electrical).

Ans #1: Have to have electrical... no way around it.
With electrical and no network, use wireless ethernet.
Simple systems can be built with companies like Linksys:
[ http://www.linksys.com/Products/group.asp?grid=22 ]

If distance and terrain is a problem, you might have
to get fancy.
[ http://www.proxim.com/products/all/tsunami_bridge/index.html ]

Are the electrical services above or below ground?

----------

Problem #2: What does this setup look like if both power
and network connectivity is available?

Ans#2: I'd still go wireless even if you could run network
cables. Maybe not... site survey? You might be inclined
to run the network with the power supply lines... but that
would be an invitation for interference in the network.
So, you'll have to find an alternate route for the 
Cat5 cabling. Cabling... campers with hatchets... I'm
still thinking wireless.

Once again, are the electrical services above or
below ground? Would the network join it below ground?
Do we have to worry about flooding? 


-=-_-=--=-_-=--=-_-=--=-_-=--=-_-=--=-_-=-


I think I need to start bringing it together
here after 1900 or so words, so let me start
summarizing. 

What we want:
 Displays at campsites that have relavant info,
 served by a centrally located server, but not
 necessarily an on-site server.
 
What we will do to get them:
 Buy off the shelf PCs, install Linux on them,
 make the Linux PCs boot to a fixed "webpage" 
 made just for that camp site and location,
 with content selected by the camper, in addition
 to info retrieved from a database.

How we connect the camp sites:
 Each camp site's computer will be registered
 on a LAN/WAN via a secure method of transmission
 sent over TCP/IP, to the camp ground computer,
 where it can then communicate with a home server.
 Information can be cached on the campground
 computer for quicker access and fault tolerance.
 Since each camp site is registered on the network,
 emergency information can be pushed to the individual
 display by modifying the content of the default
 webpage that is accessed. Sound can be tied in
 as an added feature. Maybe even voice control?
 That would be contrary to the "no content controls"
 but sounds neat ;-)


You specified a LAN version and a non-LAN. By the non-LAN
I hope you mean, the database server is not local to the
camp sites, thus a WAN. The remote-based home-server such
as I mentioned. And when you say, wireless LAN is not an
option, it is still acceptable to be wireless to the
campground computer? It would be cost prohibitive to not
have a proxy for network access at the campground. And
with no network cabling, we are going to have to be
wireless at some point, right? I didn't mention infrared
and microwave transmissions, because they are really
error prone based on weather conditions and susceptible
to downtime from natural occurrences. And they can be
cost-prohibitive.


Please excuse any disorganization in all of this.
Clear as mud? I didn't give much discussion to
the database portion because it really would be the
easiest part (for a database programmer). If it
is simply web based... there might not be any real
database at all, beyond a record of campsite01
wants, news, finance, and weather reports, etc.

The software? Hardly any. A common linux distribution,
a very simple web browser that probably comes with
the linux. That's for the individual displays.
For the servers... basically the same thing, a
linux distro and web server software. 

The network? Basic, nothing fancy here. Either
wired with Cat5 cable or wireless ethernet. All
computers have their own address and name.
[ http://www.linksys.com/edu/part4.asp ]


Overall I'm sure there are those that might not
agree with certain points of my choices. I'm used
to it. But what I have suggested has been field
implemented on a personal basis to one degree
or another. What I have chosen for this setup is
also based on cost efficiency. This extends not
only to initial hardware costs and lack of cost
for the operating system infrastructure... but
also to post installation support. There aren't
many reasons once a Linux server is up to ever
have to touch its keyboard or be physically in
its presence again. (barring hardware crashes)


Now I guess I have to draw you some nice lil
pictures... art brought my gpa down in HS ;-)
If it's ok I will post the diagrams later.
It's time for me to consider sleep now.


If you would like for me to clarify any of
my choices please request it. After 2500
words I could imagine a question or two. ;')


-search techniques-
"compact flash" linux bootable
[ ://www.google.com/search?q=%22compact+flash%22+linux+bootable ]

"internet appliance"
[ ://www.google.com/search?q=%22internet+appliance%22 ]

basic networking ethernet 
[ ://www.google.com/search?num=20&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&safe=off&q=basic+networking+ethernet+
]

[ www.tigerdirect.com ]

[ www.pricewatch.com ]

[ www.linksys.com ]

[ www.redhat.com ]


-AI

AI - your research and subject matter knowledge really hit the target
here!  I really like how you considered potential obstacles and then
provided alternatives. Your answer is VERY well written and VERY
complete.  Congratulations on a job well done.

Bravo!

> I'd like to "build my own" display network, similar to that
described
> in my first write up and clarification.  Please assist.

Similar in what way? Do you wish to build a home network?
Approximately how many displays would you want set up?  I think I can
help answer this if you be a little more specific.

I just posted a question clarification that might help.  Let me know
if you have more questions (I always seem to!).

Thanks for writing.

AI - I'd love to see your diagrams if you got 'em.

Thanks for everything.

Here's a bit of hardware info:

A friend who is in the high-tech video business tells me that he
believes the monitors used in the UltraFIDS system are custom-made
plasma display units manufactured by Phillips. They cost approximately
$5000 each, in quantity.

Hi vla1...

This holiday thing has thrown off my 
schedule. I have half the diagram done
but I keep running out of time. I'll 
get it done before the week is out.


F/W/I/W

Plasma displays suffer from burn-in,

[ http://www.wwug.com/forums/presentation-master/010026065644.htm ]

[ http://www.fujitsugeneral.com/service/Plasmafiles/Bulletins/Burn-In%20Prevention.pdf
]

[ http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/Common/ArticleDetails/0,1484,1706,00.html
]

Q. What is shadowing and how does your plasma handle it?

A. All plasmas regardless of manufacturer use phosphor. 
When a static image is left on screen for an extended 
period of time a shadow of that image may remain when 
the image is changed. If that static is left on long 
enough it could remain permanently. This is commonly 
referred to as "burn-in". Some plasmas are more 
susceptible to burn-in than others due to the way 
the manufacturer 'drives' the plasma. 

Look for a plasma that has built in Automatic Brightness 
Limited (ABL). ABL subtly decreases brightness when it 
senses a still image. The chosen plasma should also 
have built in color washes that cleans the screen in 
the event of shadowing.


Delta chooses that and then wonders why they have
financial issues? Are we paying for them when we fly?
Plama displays, big, pretty, expensive... and not for
this project. A camper with a bow and arrow, or machete
around a monitor like that? I'll pass. I'm planning
for El Nuevo Cheapo LCD, that you can get in bulk at
a discount.

-AI


btw, I posted this yesterday and Sergey Brin's dog ate it.

Very cute, AI.  Does Sergey even HAVE a dog?  I'm guessing that he's a
cat man.

I know about burn-in; this happens to "green screen" displays, too. 
What displays would you recommend for outdoor viewing (may be sunny,
so brightness would be important)?  Are there some that adjust
brightness when they detect light / dark?

I'm not going to burden you with more Q's after this, unless I post a
new one with pay; you've gone above and beyond the call of duty even
now.

Thanks!