[[[[ UNDER CONSTRUCTION ]]]] 
Project summary
Changing an old laptop into a digital picture frame and an Internet radio, with wireless.
Hardware setup
Machine is a Sony Vaio PCG-505SN - PII 400 Mhz - 128 MB RAM - 12 GB HDD - 10″ 1024×768 screen
Frame used is a 14×11″ Aaron Brothers shadow box with an internal frame.
Software setup
Use of Linux for flexibility, lightness, security and economy.
Base system
Ubuntu linux with server install = nothing unnecessary to start with; only needed stuff will be added. Fixed IP address. Normal user for admin tasks. Basic GUI for confort. Accurate time management. Remote access and file transfers.
- Needed packages
ssh-server gdm ntp-simple xfce4
Slideshow specifics
Specific user for slideshow. GDM setup for automatic login. cron job for backlight savings. Automatic slideshow startup.
- Needed packages
feh vbetool
- /home/slideshow/.xsession
xset -dpms xset s off feh --hide-pointer -qrzZFD 1200 /home/nico/photos
- /etc/ntp.conf
server pool.ntp.org server pool.ntp.org server pool.ntp.org server pool.ntp.org
Backlight saver
- /etc/cron.d/slideshow
# /etc/cron.d/slideshow : crontab entries for the Picture slideshow - Saves the backlight # Turns the screen off then X off at 23:00 00 23 * * * root /usr/sbin/vbetool dpms off >/dev/null ; sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop >/dev/null # Turns X back on at t 6:45 45 06 * * * root sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start >/dev/null
Usage
Automatic startup, nothing to do.
Picture management
scp uploads. Can and cannot be resized, up to the user, and the CPU power. No automatic EXIF rotation, for now…
Internet radio
Remote ssh scripts
Software and system security updates
Automatic, email reports
