[Hamara-devel] Just Got Raspberry Pi Delivered

[Vikas Tara]

On 01/11/15 12:26, Jonas Smedegaard wrote:
> Quoting Gurvinder (2015-11-01 07:26:23)
>> On Saturday 31 October 2015 03:39 PM, Vikas Tara wrote:
>>> On 30/10/15 23:14, Jonas Smedegaard wrote:
>>>> Quoting Vikas Tara (2015-10-30 11:48:10)
>>>>> We have been using raspberry pi because we got to it first - but
>>>>> we're not particularly tied to it.
>>>>>
>>>>> A more powerful board (more memory than rpi2) would be helpful in
>>>>> any case.
>>>>>
>>>>> The plan is to have a very cheap pre-installed hamara SBC available
>>>>> for people to buy - would be interested in your recommendation of
>>>>> what that SBC should be.
>>>> "cheap" and "more powerful" pulls in opposite directions ;-)
>>>>
>>>> Short answer: Use OLinuXino A20 LIME2!
>>>>
>>>> More details...:
>>>>
>>>> Raspberry Pi 2 Model B:       EUR 32.87
>>>> Raspberry Pi 2 official case: EUR 7.61
>>>>
>>>> OLinuXIno LIME2:              EUR 45
>>>> OLinuXIno LIME official case: EUR  5
>>> OK - it's worth us getting some hardware in order to make a build for
>>> this board. Gurvinder - do you want to get one in?
>> Sure i do not see any problem in that, the specs looks similar to
>> cubietruck in terms of processor. I guess Cubietruck build should work
>> on it otherwise there will not be an issue creating one.
> You both talk about "build" - I am confused, what needs building outside
> of Debian?
He is referring to specific images for different SBC's
> Will you rebuild binary packages from Debian _sources_ like Ubuntu does?
>
> Will you use Debian binary packages but invent your own install routines
> and build those, hardwired to specific hardware targets that you will
> support?
We're taking a hybrid approach at the moment so that we can remain flexible.

So - some packages we will compile from debian sources, some packages 
are coming in from other upstream sources (ubiquity for example).

We will maintain these in our repo for now.

The goal is to be able to eventually ship the distro with debian repos 
plus hamara repos - but the state of things like Ubiquity in debian do 
not yet allow that.


>
>>> I feel price point is very critical as reaching people that do not
>>> have access to computing equipment is high on our agenda.
>>>
>>> Equipping a school room for example - the above price difference
>>> would matter to some who are on very limited budgets.
>> In india, there are few things always matters
>> - Money
>> - After sales warranty.
>> - Popularity
> Not only in India.  On planet Earth!
>
> Question is what are your priorities.  And conversely, where are you
> willing to cut corners.
>
>
>> If I am selling Raspberry Pi [...]
> Sounds like you are willing to cut corners on "works with Debian".
>
> You might then be better off not swithing to Debian but either stay with
> Ubuntu: Using hardware devices not working with Debian requires
> maintaining at least a custom-built kernel.
>
> As you may already be aware, it is no simple task to maintain (not just
> build!) linux kernel packages.
>
>
>> [...] as a solution to some organization then I would definetly go for
>> Raspberry Pi because - There are direct sellers available in India and
>> it is still cheaper that OLinuXIno LIME with taxes if i am not wrong.
>> - Popularity - After sales warranty support. Atleast I have someone
>> where I can go and get replacement if hardware goes bad.
>>
>>> Raspberry have just announced the production of customised boards for
>>> OEM's - do you know of anything similar from OlinuXIno?
>> I saw that new as well, They have started realizing that they can
>> actually make more money by customizing hardware rather than selling
>> plain vanila version. I think it is good step and it will help expand
>> Raspberry Pi customer base.
> Wait, so you choose RPi because they are available everywhere, yet you
> then deviate with a custom design that I suspect is _not_ available
> everywhere no easy to replace nor with warrant (wouldn't you yourself be
> the ones offering that warranty for custom-made products of yours)?
OEM for us would only be to increase the memory.

We are bringing up a store to make access to the devices easier - so as 
long as we can sort the supply chain - we could
easily switch our efforts towards OLinuxIno.

I am getting one this week to experiment with. I have to say that the 
more open specs are appealing.