Need help with research
 

Hi,

I'm taking a UNIX class as an Independent Study and my project involves finding out some specialized devices that use Linux. My professor is looking for things, other than computer uses. I did some preliminary research and found that Xbox Knect, and some smart phones use it. I also found a helpful article on embedded devices, which I have to look at more carefully. But I thought this would be a good place for a newbie (and a fairly ignorant one at that) to get some ideas. Once I find three companies, my goal is to contact them and try to get free software from them. I have 3 weeks to get the paper done (8-10 pages) and am more worried about understanding the uses more than writing the paper.

Soooooo any help that any of you knowledgeable people may have to give me would be very much appreciated.

Thanks so much!
Ellen

Hi and welcome to LQ.

XBox Kinect is not using Linux. It can be used with Linux, since there are drivers for it, but it is not running with Linux.
That is really understatement. The market share of Linux based smartphones (mainly Android phones) is higher than 50%.
Some other devices that run Linux:
- Routers
- Route guidance systems like TomTom
- Network atached storage systems,
- ...

I recommend to have a look here for more systems running Linux: http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/L...ices-Showcase/

Your professor needs to be more specific in his/her restriction. Any device that runs Linux is a computer in one way or another: you need a processor, RAM, and some form of input and output.

One thing that comes to mind is another thread posted not long ago:
What distro are the airline companies using for onboard terminal per seat?

There may be some office-building kiosk manufacturers that use Linux to handle floorplan displays, building directories, and/or advertisements. That might be another avenue for you to look into.

This I do not understand. I don't see the connection between a company incorporating Linux into a product and their (un)willingness to provide free software.

i guess by computer you mean pc but any device that can calculate floating point numbers and can store/recall information is a computer (such as an abacus).

the manual for my lg blu-ray player has a page for the gpl because its using busybox linux.

Thanks for your help! I appreciate it :)

My professor was clear, I wasn't lol. He just wants us to find devices that use Linux, as opposed to companies that just use Linux in their offices. And since Linux is open source, blah blah, he wants to see if anyone would give us their code. Thanks for your response.