Re: Black box heaven or the real BDI

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Paul <Paul.Corner@t...> wrote:

>
> The hardware could be no more than a small PC with 32M RAM, 1Gig

HD, with a

> 233Mhz processor - I have this boxed up and ready to bring with me

to NAMES :)

>

I thought you had been quiet lately. Have you mastered the method to
make the connection to the PC?

Here's my hardware, I have as a typical classroom computer, Pentium
Pro 200's either Dell or IBM. 2Gig HD, CD-Rom, Floppy, 32 Meg Ram,
NIC, Sound, Par/Ser, and some with USB.

Like many others my hobby is not tinkering with EMC, or Linux, or
real time extensions. My hobby is making parts, applying Windows
programming software, and occasionally digging into the guts of a
machine or controller, but ONLY if I have to. I would like to play
with the EMC controller, but don't have the time to learn even the
basics of Linux. When I say play with EMC, I do NOT refer to
anything but opening a G-code file and running a G-code program on my
machine, maybe tweak parameter settings to optimize performance, once.

If I want to do this right now, I am barred because of my
unwillingness to learn Linux. It's not gonna happen any time soon.
Same for most of the group participants too I would suspect from the
thrashing that occurs so frequently over getting an EMC running.

That does not change the fact that I WOULD like to play with it in my
own way. So far (and I do appreciate all the suggestions with links
to linux sites) the answer I have heard is that it could be done, but
why would you want to, and miss all the FUN of Linux and that nobody
has really found a practical way to do it yet. Practical from my
view point, being with no requirement for me to have to learn Linux.

Therefore my suggestion that somebody make a BDI for "Brain Dead"
people like me who are unwilling to learn Linux.

A couple other thoughts I had:

1) Could it be hooked together with a Null RG-45 cable between the
Win box and the EMC? No need for a hub if no LAN is in place

2) The suggestions for software to communicate between the two sound
daunting. I've used Samba and would not really like to go that
route. Could a browser that refreshed every 1/2 second or so be
enough to provide a user interface? I am serious about NOT learning
ANY Linux. It's not that I have anything against the OS, my time is
just too short and my needs to do that sort of thing are more
directed to keeping up with the MS Windows OS's. I can handle
FTP ,but Windows Explorer would be a more comfortable interface for
me for file management.

3) If I placed a file of G-code on the Linux hard drive, in a
specific location with a specific name, could EMC be configured
to "start" that program if I wired up an input switch that
said "Start" on a green button? I hope this is not taken the wrong
way, I'm just trying to illustrate a little better what I mean
by "Black Box Heaven" and the real BDI. I really am dumb on this
Linux stuff and plan to stay that way (for now). ;-)

Best Regards, Fred Smith IMService