I have (or will have) a small Linux server running a minimal desktop distro and web server. The server will be used daily by someone sat next to it (using a web browser).
In addition, I need to put a 42" display elsewhere in the building which will use a web browser to show a page from the same server. There'll be no local mouse or keyboard. There may be more than one such display in future.
Any good options?
Presumably I could use an extra video card for a second display (not sure the server will have a spare slot but maybe a USB video card would do) and run everything from the server, however I don't think I can be sure to stay within distance limits for USB. On the other hand I could just stick a PC with the 42" display, but that would be overkill. Having something that sat on ethernet (and perhaps could be configured via SSH) would be ideal, I'm just not sure what exists?
Note that the web application makes use of jQuery and AJAX so it may place some limitations of the choice of browser. The ability to restart the browser periodically would be useful, knowing how they all seem to leak memory!
On Tue, Nov 08, 2011 at 05:05:05PM +0000, Mark Rogers wrote:
would do) and run everything from the server, however I don't think I can be sure to stay within distance limits for USB. On the other
Why not run the video over cat5? How far away is the screen from the server? Extending the USB would be more difficult than extending the video.
Adam
On 08/11/11 18:06, Adam Bower wrote:
Why not run the video over cat5? How far away is the screen from the server? Extending the USB would be more difficult than extending the video. Adam
That is a possibility, however the more I think about it I like the idea of a standalone Ethernet-connected option because:
- it scales: I can have as many as I like - it means no changes at the server end, and in particular no messing around with getting a second web browser running on the second screen - it could be run anywhere on the network without dedicated cabling - it could be run anywhere in the world, eg via a VPN
Some of these aren't relevant for this particular application but I can see them being useful in the future.
My instinct is to look for one of the small Linux boxes that have VESA mounting for the back of the monitor, or maybe even just a thin client, although the latter would require more work at the server end.
On Wednesday 09 November 2011 09:15:58 Mark Rogers wrote:
On 08/11/11 18:06, Adam Bower wrote:
Why not run the video over cat5? How far away is the screen from the server? Extending the USB would be more difficult than extending the video. Adam
That is a possibility, however the more I think about it I like the idea of a standalone Ethernet-connected option because:
- it scales: I can have as many as I like
- it means no changes at the server end, and in particular no messing
around with getting a second web browser running on the second screen
- it could be run anywhere on the network without dedicated cabling
- it could be run anywhere in the world, eg via a VPN
Some of these aren't relevant for this particular application but I can see them being useful in the future.
My instinct is to look for one of the small Linux boxes that have VESA mounting for the back of the monitor, or maybe even just a thin client, although the latter would require more work at the server end.
Or you could look at an all in one PC - where the PC is an integral part of the monitor, something like:
http://www.ebuyer.com/249998-lenovo-thinkcentre-a70z-aio-desktop-vddr5uk
I have no experience of these, so cannot vouch for their suitability.
Stuart
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On 09/11/11 09:31, Stuart Bailey wrote:
Or you could look at an all in one PC - where the PC is an integral part of the monitor, something like: http://www.ebuyer.com/249998-lenovo-thinkcentre-a70z-aio-desktop-vddr5uk
The problem is that we need something closer to 42".
On Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:57:53 +0000 Mark Rogers mark@quarella.co.uk allegedly wrote:
On 09/11/11 09:31, Stuart Bailey wrote:
Or you could look at an all in one PC - where the PC is an integral part of the monitor, something like: http://www.ebuyer.com/249998-lenovo-thinkcentre-a70z-aio-desktop-vddr5uk
The problem is that we need something closer to 42".
Then you are right. You probably need something like a Linutop, or an Asus Eeebox.
Mick
On 09/11/11 09:15, Mark Rogers wrote:
My instinct is to look for one of the small Linux boxes that have VESA mounting for the back of the monitor, or maybe even just a thin client, although the latter would require more work at the server end.
Acer revo's start at about £200 inc, include the Vesa mount (or at least mine did) and do HDMI (including HDMI audio) out of the box. It's about 10 times more hardware than you need by the sounds of it but they are at least cool, quiet and reasonably energy efficient.
Foxconn do something similar,nT435. available in barebones for about £100...Just add some ram...and something to boot from..could be a flash card or even netboot it....No HDMI though which is utter madness..but with the right 42" display and VGA you could live with it I guess.
Some thin clients also include a local web browser (well at least the HP ones we used to deploy in schools did) but it may not be a modern one and flash etc will be out of the picture..Depends on the requirements of your web app I guess. Also check the output capability as a lot of the thin clients I have seen are stuck on 4:3 aspect ratios.
On 09/11/11 09:15, Mark Rogers wrote:
That is a possibility, however the more I think about it I like the idea of a standalone Ethernet-connected option because:
Are these any good? Shiva/Guru/Dream Plug, and touchscreen monitors are available. All low power.
http://www.newit.co.uk/shop/categories.php
HTH Steve
On 09/11/11 23:34, steve-ALUG@hst.me.uk wrote:
On 09/11/11 09:15, Mark Rogers wrote:
That is a possibility, however the more I think about it I like the idea of a standalone Ethernet-connected option because:
Are these any good? Shiva/Guru/Dream Plug, and touchscreen monitors are available. All low power.
I'd say of that lot the EFIKA MX Smarttop would make the most sense. HDMI, halfway respectable GFX capabilities, Built in SSD with enough capacity to provide a decent browser on top of a lightweight Linux distro. Better not be needing Flash though :)
On 10/11/11 08:05, Wayne Stallwood wrote:
I'd say of that lot the EFIKA MX Smarttop would make the most sense. HDMI, halfway respectable GFX capabilities, Built in SSD with enough capacity to provide a decent browser on top of a lightweight Linux distro. Better not be needing Flash though :)
Agreed, this does look like something to play with (and no worries as far as Flash is concerned!)
The only thing on my wishlist that it seems to lack is VESA mounting to attach to the rear of the screen, but I'm sure I can find a drill :-)
Thanks for the suggestions.
On 8 November 2011 17:05, Mark Rogers mark@quarella.co.uk wrote:
I have (or will have) a small Linux server running a minimal desktop distro and web server. The server will be used daily by someone sat next to it (using a web browser).
In addition, I need to put a 42" display elsewhere in the building which will use a web browser to show a page from the same server. There'll be no local mouse or keyboard. There may be more than one such display in future.
Any good options?
CamVine in Cambridge (disclaimer: I know people who work there) are big on signage with displays over Ethernet. http://www.camvine.com/
Or, as has already been suggested, you can squeeze VGA down CAT5 cabling with only minor signal degradation, but that does require a VGA output for each unique display.
Or you could wait for the Raspberry Pi which is a very inexpensive and small ARM+Linux PC and has HDMI output. http://www.raspberrypi.org/
Regards, Tim.
On 09/11/11 11:44, Tim Green wrote:
CamVine in Cambridge (disclaimer: I know people who work there) are big on signage with displays over Ethernet.
I think I've looked at their products before (probably from a recommendation here). They don't seem all that well suited to just a dump display of a web page though.
Or you could wait for the Raspberry Pi which is a very inexpensive and small ARM+Linux PC and has HDMI output.
Indeed, this would be near perfect, but its anyone's guess when it might actually be available!
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Adam Bower -
Mark Rogers -
mick -
steve-ALUG＠hst.me.uk -
Stuart Bailey -
Tim Green -
Wayne Stallwood