Onboard Computer - Linux Progs ?

[conachair]

I've just put together a new boat computer with bits for ebay based on an Epia vio 5000 motherboard, old and slow but low power draw, <0.7a when doing nothing.

Running puppy linux from here - Puppy Linux Discussion Forum :: View topic - sailpup
Linux newbie but learning fast


Opencpn working well if slow graphics update.

So what other decent software is there?

It's a cruising boat so I'm well used with jvcomm for weatherfax, hamcomm is nowhere near as nice and I can't get jvcomm working with wine. Likewise I can't get the german DWD rtty weather station working , tried mmtty so far, and fldigi. jvcomm used to decode that perfectly.

Any suggestions?

Want good weatherfax, and a controller for the ic7000 radio would be nice.

ps took ages just getting linux on there, hard drive is a CF card and the usb's are 1.1 , it won't boot from usb2.0 devices so getting a working system took a while. Not sure i culd get a different linux on there even if it would help.

much TIA

[NahanniV]

This free distribution is excellent for a sailboat computer:

Navigatrix.net &bull; The First Linux Distribution for Cruisers

Has most of the software you would want included.

Cheers,
John.

[mrm]

Originally Posted by conachair

So what other decent software is there?

I would add zyGrib viewer for GRIBs, JTides and JWX to the list.

[W4OTN]

Originally Posted by conachair

Want good weatherfax, and a controller for the ic7000 radio would be nice.

I've used fldigi for WXfax reception (as you've noted) and I also use Airmail, running under WINE, with a few problems but mostly all works.

If I can get some time to sharpen my python skills, I'm hoping to build new Airmail-like software for Linux.

I see you've found OpenCPN which is great, IMO.

I've been using Fedora Linux for many years with great success. If you need any assistance just let me know.