I'm a freelance journalist based in India, and write a lot on open
source related stuff. Currently, for one of my subsequent stories, I'm
trying to gauge why people like certain open source hardware platforms
better than others.
It would be great if some of you could take time out to answer a few
questions for me...
1. Why do you like Beagleboard? What are the technical merits that
made you choose this platform over other open source ones?
2. How is the 'community' experience as far as Beagleboard goes?
3. In what ways have you used Beagleboard?
Look forward to some active discussions on this. You could also mail
me your responses if you so wish.
Please keep in mind when reading my answers that I am in this as a hobby only - I am not a developer.
1. Why do you like Beagleboard? What are the technical merits that
made you choose this platform over other open source ones?
The Beagleboard was accessable, well documented, reasonably priced and available thorough a trusted distributor. The Beagleboard is unique in that it can be used like a "desktop" computer or a more traditional embedded target. From a learning perspective it is ideal. From my perspective it is the perfect package to get into the ARM platform and learn some "stuff".
2. How is the 'community' experience as far as Beagleboard goes?
First, I would like to state the the community has written some excellent documentation which is where everyone should start. Secondly this mailing list has proved to be a wealth of information. This is my best Open Source community experience so far.
3. In what ways have you used Beagleboard?
- Learning about the ARM platform
- Learning about embedded platforms in general