Hi,

I totally agree with you!

If you don't learn something new everyday then I say that you are not doing anything.

First, read this:

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

Also check out he tutorials in my sig.

To help beginners somebody ( or all of us ) should compile a simple ISO of LINUX and write a series of pages which detail how to
do things like
* how to navigate the bash terminal.
* mount a USB stick for simple data transfer.
* how to edit the interfaces file and use ifdown / ifup.
* how to use apt-get or aptitude to install a few tools such as NASM, G++ TEX , X11 etc.

It would be nice to point potential newcomers to a 'hello linux world' distro which gave a gentle transition from windows/dos to x-windows/bash

what does everyone else think ?

The tutorials on LinuxCommand are available in PDF format, that could be a good option.

Or it might be best to write a tutorial optimized for the tutorial distro.

A good explanation of the /dev/* naming scheme and "fdisk -l" are important. I wish I knew that better when I switched.

It might be a good idea to have pmount on it, as well a a GUI file manager that can mount disks (but only when you tell it, not auto-mount when you plug it in).

What's ifdown/ifup?

Great idea. One of the major reasons I didn't like Linux the first few times I tried was because I didn't understand packages.

Also I didn't know about package managers. I went to websites and downloaded RPMs having no clue to what the hell was going on.

I might have noticed an "Add/Remove Software" thing, but I thought it was like Windows's add/remove software thing.

A good explanation of what packages, dependencies, and package managers are is key!

But personally I'm not a fan of apt-get. I would choose yum or pacman (but there are many others which I haven't tried that might be better) if it was my decision.

Sure!

And another thing:

The first few times I unsuccessfully tried Linux the first thing I did (still being a Windows user clueless about Linux at the time) was frantically install firewalls, antivirus, anti-spyware, etc.

It has to say that that's not neseccary in Linux.

I am building a machine called a long folder.
It folds sheet metal as used in roofing.

The machine has back gages that allow the machine to fold without any human touch other than placing the sheet metal in the machine.

The machine will have the ability work out and fold taper folds

My machine will have two folding beams so that it will fold up and down without spinning or roiling the sheet.

I will be taking a older folder costing around $40,000 and modifying it to perform as good if not better than a new one.

The only folder in the world that dose this at present cost over $700,000 and has a 2 year back order waiting list.

The smart software must be able to work out the angles and the sheet size ,set the back gages, first to cut the sheet to size. than readjust for the folding operation at the same time keeping a watch on the safety protocols regarding the machine and performance.

And that is just a sample of what the software will have to do.
ambitious yes but it is doable

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Hi,

Then I would look at using a embed for the machine control. There are several options to choose from. Simple search here on LQ will help you.


Linux - Embedded here on LQ may help.

I had similar feelings when i started with Linux.

When you want to learn how to use a first Linux, there are only few Linuxes you may want to use. All of them are Command Line Interface (CLI) Linuxes like Debian, Slackware, Red Hat. You install using a text interface. You configure using a text editor. When it all works, you startx. I myself am a Slackware adept. Slackware has a steep lurning curve. If you can drive the Slackware car (takes a few months to master but there's a lot of documentation available), you can drive ANY other Linux car (with some time to get used to the other system).

See also http://fruttenboel.verhoeven272.nl/linux/index.html

I personally adore the Modula-2 language so I run with the Mocka compiler http://fruttenboel.verhoeven272.nl/mocka/index.html Other people still use C and its derivatives.

Don't underestimate XP. It's probably the best version of Windows ever made by Microsoft.

Snatch yourself a copy of Slackware and then see how far you get. Slackware is the Linux that is still closest to the original Linuxes of the early 90's. But that's my opinion.

I guess the machine already has a PLC that actuates the motors and plungers. Your program will talk to the PLC via serial or USB connections?

Or is it a bare machine with virtually no control interface?

In the latter case you may get some new ideas by looking at either of these pages:

+ http://fruttenboel.verhoeven272.nl/parino/index.html
+ http://fruttenboel.verhoeven272.nl/Pico/index.html
+ http://fruttenboel.verhoeven272.nl/proto/index.html

Sounds like an interesting project.

Hi,

I really can't associate with frustrations at the start of my computer involvement back in the sixties. I've blocked out some of that time because of that damn punch card machine. Still would have nightmares if I didn't block it.

I can only attest to my experience with aiding people to understand computer, OS and whatever. You find that most have frustrations somewhat but when they are enlightened then things start to change. You have to want to do something in order to overcome the frustration. Read, perform and read some more until you can accomplish the required task(s).

As for Slackware, I too recommend the new user to try it. The myth that Slackware is hard is not correct, it is difficult for someone who doesn't read documentation or willing to dig deep into the intrinsic details of a beautiful stable OS. There's plenty of documentation and aid from resourceful users here on LQ. So Get Slack!


The above link and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

linux is just perfect for embedded applications...
it is a shining example of easy it is to INPUT ---- PROCESS ---- OUTPUT data

BTW ifup/ifdown is a DEBIAN thing.

I really think we should get together here and build a really good solid 'HELLO LINUX' package for beginners with step by step instructions on how to install / setup and maintain thir machine.
Live disks are just screaming to help new users play with linux with no risks to the resident OS.

the latest cover disk on LINUX FORMAT magazine set up a nice tutorial on how to run multiple virtual linux distros using fedora as the main OS (very nice) your CPU must have a virtual flag setting for this to work.

there are a lot of good tutorials on the net buth there is no standard set for how it should be pesented, no one can state which distro should be used ?

I am amazed at how far LINUX has come over the last 10 years and people are becoming educated about computers and are beginning to make choices.... so lets make the choice easy for them.

I don't know why but I still really like that idea.

I just *LOVED* the paper tape! A full program stored in an empty pill box.... And easy to repare too (cellotape). Try that with a DVD...

IMHO could be a very ambitious project. I might suggest sticking with a desktop since existing systems already run via XP. True embedded systems add additional restrictions/problems and since the OP does not have much experience it would make things more difficult.

How much experience do you have working with electromechanical devices? Can we assume as already suggested that the computer attaches to some existing controller? If so do you have all the documentation? Does it provide any information on the command protocol? If you do not have any existing documentation then it will require some reverse engineering which may or may not be legal per your end user agreement with the software developer which may not be the device manufacture.

We still need more information on your long folder.

Hi,

Paper tape was a pain! Sure easier to create than a punch card stack but both are pains as compared to solid media like a CD, DVD or even a Flash of today. I have no problem making the statement to hell with paper media.

BTW, most of my paper tape was used for bootstrapping Winchester stored programs so you could carry the boot in your pocket. The paper tape programs that were moved to storage were on reel(s) in stacks. Sure elementary programs or utilities were sometimes on small lengths but those to would be moved to storage via IPL then SPL'ed to execute.

I'm a mechanic engineer and have no experience with electromechanical devices
We have to types of folder but only the newest type uses a pc. All the rest use PLC that actuates the motors and rams. All controls are 24volt other than the motors which are 3phase.
The physical construction of the folder is really no problem as I have considerable experience
The first prototype will only be 2 tenth scale. But that is big enough to test the protocols.
I did consider going to Auckland university to study Mechtronics but that did not really fit in with my plans.

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