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highertheflyer
sage
Reged: 07/08/05
Posts: 267
Loc: Ft. Worth, Texas
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I have been using an ancient Mitsubishi Amity CN-2 with my 12.5 inch Dobsonion telescope to provide computing for the planetarium software and tracking inputs.
The Mitusbish weighs 2.6 pounds and rests with ease on a shelf attached to the dobsonian base.
There are few small computers on the market today like the Mitsubishi, and it has suffered from unobtainable batteries and the Windows ME operating system.
I have found somewhat similar computers available for well over the price I would like to pay.
They are in the 1200 to 2000 dollar range, way too high priced, especially for use in the field.
Today, I found a small PC, with a Linux Operating System but very limited peripheral imputs.
I have no knowledge of the Linux system, but think if it were somewhat similar to Windows ME, I could overcome the learning curve for its use.
From a distance, this little portable, lightweight computer seems like one that could replace the Mitsubishi Amity Cn-2/Windows system.
The inputs are USB, but I think a Serial/USB Converter could be used to provide the transmit/receive data from the serial digital setting circles, to this little fellow.
Would some of our computer gurus look at this lightweight PC system and give their suggestions on whether it could be used for our regular planetarium programs, tracking programs, and CCD progams?
What do those knowledgeable think....?
Here's the link:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3701097&sku=A455-7201&srkey=A455-7201
Thanks so much, Jim
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~Steph~
Texas Wildflower
Reged: 06/11/05
Posts: 21658
Loc: North Texas
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There are quite a few threads in here about the EEE PC, you might do a search or scroll through to look for subject lines with Asus EEE in them. You can also put WinXP on it...well, maybe not the 2G version, if that's truly the version of the EEE that you got. You can on the 4G version, though, that's what I have and I've put XP on it. However, I don't have any tracking or CCD programs on it so couldn't help you there. It's a nice lightweight computer for traveling, though, which is why I got it.
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Steph
10" RCX400 ~~ 4" TV102 ~~ WO ZS80FD ~~ PST
Serenity Observatory 
HansenAstro | CN Member Websites
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chalker
professor emeritus
Reged: 09/14/05
Posts: 586
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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One thing I would keep in mind is that some of the USB to Serial adapters available don't do very well. There are plenty that work, but just as many or more that don't.
I found this out the hard way using a generic adapter. I spent several hours trying to get one to operate a piece of legacy gear.
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Orion StarMax 127
Meade Lightbridge 10" Deluxe
Toronto CSC
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Tom L
Reged: 01/07/04
Posts: 29817
Loc: Sunny Oregon
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Jim, If you are up for it, I'd say scale the linux learning curve and get comfortable with it. Most linux installs have several interfaces, or shells, and all of them are very easy to use. The linux operating system will be with us for a long, long time so it isn't a wasted effort. We have lots of linux power users here that would love nothing more than to help you learn the OS and the tools that come with it. The EEE is a sweet little machine if that is the form factor that best suits you. Lots of threads about it so hunt around...most of them are fairly recent...at least within the last month.
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Tom 
Tele Vue 102mm f/8.6 on an EzTouch
Vixen 80mm f/5 A80SSWT on a grab-n-go mount
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