IRC #olimex 2021-04-18

[15:35:57] <alexsotodev> Hello folks!
[15:48:24] <alexsotodev> My name is Alex, and I'm the project lead at EI2030. The goal of EI2030 is to promote healthier computing practices, particularly the use of non-emissive displays such as e-ink and connecting people who are interested in learning and discussion. We are working on making an eink laptop that's open-source and hardware and are interested in the
[15:48:24] <alexsotodev> TERES-I.
[16:46:59] <bill-auger> alexsotodev: just FYI, if you intended that as a formal introduction to the dev team, chat is usually not a good way to do that - the preferred contact info is on the website https://www.olimex.com/About/
[16:47:23] <bill-auger> this is a relatively low-volume channel, so maybe it will be seen - but as a general rule, i would not expect it
[16:49:20] <bill-auger> if the intention was as an informal introduction to the community, the forum would probably reach more eyeballs
[16:49:33] <bill-auger> IRC is really only good for real-time interactions, among a very small number of people
[17:02:35] <alexsotodev> Thank you for your guidance. I'll email Olimex and post in the forum.
[17:04:31] <bill-auger> alexsotodev: ill gve you another tip - you used a lot of jargon words, that people may not necessarily understand
[17:06:11] <bill-auger> words like "non-emissive" and "eink" could benefit from explanation
[17:06:44] <bill-auger> eg: what about an "eink laptop", that is different from a "laptop"?
[17:15:38] <alexsotodev> Thank you for the feedback. We are working on the communication. We are interested in exploring different display technology RLCD, DES, Eink. As a result, we've defaulted to using "non-emissive" to describe them. I can see this jargon may not be accessible.
[17:24:38] <bill-auger> so an "eink laptop", is different from a "laptop", because it has a different display technology?
[17:30:04] <alexsotodev> I see your point; it would best to say something along the lines that we are building a laptop, and it's using an eink screen.
[17:40:14] <bill-auger> ok thats better = but that still assumes that people know what is an eink screen
[17:40:31] <bill-auger> i do not know, what is an "eink screen"
[17:43:32] <alexsotodev> Yeah, that's fair. I think as part of our communication we'll include a short explanation.
[17:44:10] <bill-auger> could you explain it to me in a sentence? what is "eink"?
[17:44:15] <bill-auger> it is for artists? - writers?
[17:45:57] <bill-auger> AFAIC, these words in this chat are "eink" - it seems to be a very vacuous term
[17:45:57] <alexsotodev> I would love and will, but I have to head out I'm about to have breakfast. If you are still on in an hour or so would love to work on it more
[17:49:02] <alexsotodev> It was nice talking to you bill, hopefully we chat again next time.
[21:35:07] <jo0nas> alexsotodev: wauw - sounds very exciting that you are working on laptop with e-ink display: That is very high on my wishlist
[21:43:31] <alexsotodev> jo0nas: Thank you, it's a work in progress. There are some challenges and we are working on it.
[21:48:05] <jo0nas> can I help?
[21:49:21] <jo0nas> ACTION is not affiliated with Olimex, just a happy user - and a proud owner of a TERES-I
[21:50:07] <alexsotodev> jo0nas: Yes! I'm working on a post discussing the Challenges of Building an Eink laptop, it talks about some of our working groups and challenges, also has links to our forum and Discord.
[21:52:41] <alexsotodev> How do you like the TERES-I, I'm waiting for mine to arrive.
[21:53:42] <jo0nas> for starters, I like that it exists at all, being an OSHWA-certified laptop kit
[21:53:53] <alexsotodev> Agreed.
[21:53:54] <jo0nas> ...and that it is reasonably cheap
[21:54:30] <alexsotodev> Yes, good points
[21:55:00] <jo0nas> that said, I would gladly pay double for a better chassis - especially the trackpad is really crappy
[22:01:07] <alexsotodev> jo0nas Yeah, there's a lot of variety of keyboards and trackpads, I have a NexDock and while I enjoy the device overall the trackpad / keyboard makes it difficult to use.
[22:03:30] <jo0nas> an ideal chassis for me would be one *without* keyboard or trackpad, but instead having space for a Lenovo keyboard with builtin trackpoint
[22:04:57] <jo0nas> ...where I could then choose the key layout, and whether I want USB connection or the more expensive Bluetooth variant - independently of the laptop production
[22:24:49] <alexsotodev> jo0nas As an avid X61, X220, X230 Thinkpad user, I agree..
[22:26:14] <jo0nas> I have never owned a Thinkpad laptop - but have worn out quite a few off their keyboards
[22:29:17] <alexsotodev> They are fantastic keyboards