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Author Topic: Putting Linux on a calculator  (Read 9606 times)

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Offline imo_inx

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Putting Linux on a calculator
« on: August 03, 2011, 01:34:22 am »
Hi. I'm new at Omnimaga and don't own a calculator and am here to present ideas and use emulators. :D

One thing I think you've probably discussed already is putting linux on a calculator. I do have an idea though: If some people could make drivers for the calculators then I could compile then and carve then into a Linux/Ubuntu distribution called: CaBuntu (k-AE-buntoo). I can do this 'cause I've compiled ISO, IMG and other OS files. I also know a little programming. So if you could compile a driver file in ANY and I repeat ANY programming language and email it to me, I'd be happy to include it in CaBuntu. :w00t:
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SirCmpwn

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2011, 01:36:03 am »
What kind of calculator?

An extremely stripped down linux kernel might work on an 89 Titanium, and a moderately stripped down one might work on an Nspire, but there is no way to do this on an 83+ or it's relatives.  It won't be very good under any means, because there wouldn't be any room for the actual OS.

Also, welcome to the forums!
« Last Edit: August 03, 2011, 01:36:36 am by SirCmpwn »
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Offline AngelFish

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2011, 01:38:40 am »
What calculator model(s) are you talking about? The z80 calcs almost certainly don't have the processing power to run something as CPU intensive as Linux well. Things like the Nspire and the Prizm indeed run Linux, but they require specially compiled code (ARM5 and SuperH 3 respectively).

EDIT: Ninja'd
« Last Edit: August 03, 2011, 01:39:00 am by Qwerty.55 »
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SirCmpwn

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2011, 01:39:36 am »
They don't have the CPU to run Linux either, it isn't compatible.
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Offline AngelFish

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2011, 01:40:40 am »
I imagine you could wrestle with SDCC enough to get it to compile. The interrupt and threading code might require a complete rewrite though, since the z80 doesn't have the hardware sophistication Linux expects.
« Last Edit: August 03, 2011, 01:41:18 am by Qwerty.55 »
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Offline Juju

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2011, 01:46:31 am »
I remember we talked about porting CP/M on z80, that would be interesting. Otherwise, compiling Linux as a 3rd party OS for TI-Nspire would be awesome. (We can run 3rd-party OSes right, with Ndless or something?)
« Last Edit: August 03, 2011, 01:46:48 am by Juju »
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SirCmpwn

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2011, 01:47:51 am »
On a z80, porting linux would be a massive undertaking.  There isn't any wrestling with SDCC to be had, but years of difficult, tedious work.  On ARM, you just flip a switch to get an ARM version.
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Offline imo_inx

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2011, 01:57:16 am »
I plan on putting the on a external hardrive w/ a mini-usb, using a double-ended mini-usb cable to connect them, and then using duct tape or rubber cement to secure the external hardrive. I'm also talking about the NSpire. Wut Fun. :crazy:
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SirCmpwn

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2011, 01:58:17 am »
An interesting adventure, but I think that the project would be more useful if it didn't require lots of hardware hacks to work.
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Offline imo_inx

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2011, 02:02:01 am »
Anyone else have any ideas?

I also plan on encoding the whole thing in two languages: Python for whole OS replacement, and a Python emulator written in AXE to run it inside your current OS.
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Offline AngelFish

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2011, 02:03:55 am »
Um, Axe doesn't run natively on the Nspire. Are you planning on porting a z80 emulator or something?

I'm also not sure how you would solve the whole "No Goto" thing in Python if you're going to use a Python OS.
« Last Edit: August 03, 2011, 02:05:53 am by Qwerty.55 »
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Offline imo_inx

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2011, 02:07:52 am »
Yeah, I do plan on using a z80 emulator but I was creating my icon at the time and forgot to add TI-Nspire Basic to the languages. Sorry. :( *.*

EDIT: You proved me wrong. Geuss it's time to hit the books, strip down my hacked Ubuntu 11.04 .ISO and add a patch inside the Operating System...
« Last Edit: August 03, 2011, 02:17:31 am by Qwerty.55 »
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Offline DrDnar

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2011, 02:16:54 am »
The Z80 doesn't support using an MMU. There's absolutely no way for the kernel to actually enforce anything. I think most people have also generally been of the opinion that relocation tables (needed for multitasking to be used with all programs) would waste more memory than they're worth.
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Offline imo_inx

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #13 on: August 03, 2011, 02:26:07 am »
Then I'll just create something similar to z80...
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Offline calcdude84se

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Re: Putting Linux on a calculator
« Reply #14 on: August 03, 2011, 02:27:25 am »
Quote from: DrDnar on August 03, 2011, 02:16:54 am
I think most people have also generally been of the opinion that relocation tables (needed for multitasking to be used with all programs) would waste more memory than they're worth.
How bad would it be? Probably the most efficient method in terms of space would cost only one and occasionally two bytes per address to be relocated.
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