9$ CHIP computer

[Larz60+]

Wireless mesh networks can easily, effectively and wirelessly connect entire cities using inexpensive, existing technology. Traditional networks rely on a small number of wired access points or wireless hotspots to connect users. In a wireless mesh network, the network connection is spread out among dozens or even hundreds of wireless mesh nodes that "talk" to each other to share the network connection across a large area.

The above from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/how-wi...s-work.htm

Basically what you are doing is creating a private internet.
They are already being used in large cities for various activities.
My nephew is working one one that I know of in Queens NY to
monitor heating violations in apartments, see: http://heatseek.org/

I can see many applications, both as non-profit and business opportunities.

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here's another link to take a look at: http://www.shadowandy.net/2016/03/buildi...etwork.htm

[Larz60+]

More on Mesh Networking: https://www.open-mesh.org/projects/batman-adv/wiki

[j.crater]

Ah yes, if that is the general idea then I got it. There is some amount of hype around "smart cities" and many projects have public (co)funding.

[Larz60+]

The cost of building such a network is small.

• HooToo wireless travel router only $17.99 https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-WR703N...0083Z54P02.
  
• battery - $15.99 https://www.amazon.com/Walkera-Airplane-...00HE6GQRY3.
  
• solar charger - $14.99 http://www.tmart.com/30000mAh-Dual-USB-I...0941.html4.
  
• chip computer $9.00
  
• Small color TFT display - $7.52 https://www.crystalfontz.com/product/cfa...lay-module
  

Total $67.99 for a full rechargeable wireless node with router
The display is small, larger displays available from $22

[nilamo]

A few months ago, Microcenter had a sale on RaspberryPi Zeros. $1 each. I loaded up on a few of those :p

[Larz60+]

I was in the store when they were having the sale (could only buy 1, which I did)
The Pi doesn't have wifi built in though does it?

[nilamo]

No. And since it's the zero, it also doesn't have ethernet built in. One usb port, one hdmi port, and an io header is all you get :p

[j.crater]

Remembering how (in)famous Zeros were(are?) for their massive unavailability you can consider yourself lucky nonetheless :D

At the moment I see there is no tremendous interest (threads) in hardware-related Python on the forums. But Devices such as RPi and now Chip are for many people first contact with Python. Should we at some point open a "Hardware Python" subforum for people specifically looking for help related to Python in connection with hardware/embedded systems?

[Larz60+]

I think it will get popular fast, we already get a large number of pi questions.
I have a lot of experience with small single board computers going back to the
intel 8080A board in the early 80's even further back if you want to consider the kim.
Actually did some contracting on several including Microchip f series, TI msp430's,
rockwell 6502's, Motorola 68000 etc.

Some of the more difficult tasks (only because I was learning as I worked) were LCD interfacing,
both hardware and software PMW control of variable current and voltage devices (when you had
to create your own PWM waveforms with timers and/or ADC's)

That might still be useful knowledge.

[Larz60+]

Let's complicate things. Here's another $9 computer - This one will ship to Europe!
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product...08880.html

But I don't see any WiFi or Bluetooth

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More news on chip

http://makezine.com/2015/07/22/with-linu...e-details/

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Here's projects being done with the CHIP computer https://www.hackster.io/chip
Projects like Spectrum Analyzer
Wireless USB storage device
...