Making a pocket ebook reader, or where OS dev can take you

[Artlav]

OS development starts from wanting to make your own Windows, only better.
Then you want just to make your own Windows.
Then your own, better OS.
Then you learn about programming, the hardware, computer science, and so on.
And you start lumping code together reasonably, with a burning desire to make something.

Then you get interested in hardware from the other side.
At this point you start to want to make your own x86, only better.
Then simply your own processor.
Then your own computer system.
Then you learn about FPGAs, digital design, microcontrollers, soldering and etching, and so on.
And you start lumping chips together reasonably, with the same burning desire to make something.

In the end, you conquer the start-making-something desire, and cross-reference what you can do with what can be useful.

In my case, the result is a tiny, solar powered, open-source ebook reader.


Software AND hardware:


Some path from there to here.

If you are interested in the gadget, the info on it is here:
http://orbides.1gb.ru/book.php?lng=eng
Info only, i don't make or sell anything there.

.

[dozniak]

And only then you start working on your soldering skills...

EDIT: Very nice device! Any more details on how you did it?

[Artlav]

And only then you start working on your soldering skills...

And steadiness of your hands.

Any more details on how you did it?

All the details on the pages there: http://orbides.1gb.ru/book.php?lng=eng
What more do you want to know?

[feare56]

Then if you are feeling more adventurous you could make your own ipod with your own os

[dozniak]

What more do you want to know?

I just thought those pages contain very little text. Would be interesting to hear how you picked the hardware and how you fought the demons of stupidity during development. Maybe some particularly annoying problem that you bravely resolved?

[Yoda]

Nice work!

Then simply your own processor.

For those who wish to design their own processors there is a good course at Coursera - Computer Architecture.