RSS Feeds
Software
SplashTop Instant-On Linux OS Gets Hacked to Do More Tricks
Posted by John Mahoney at 11:00 PM on July 30, 2008
Splashtop, the instant-on Linux mini-OS found embedded in many Asus motherboards as well as the Voodoo Envy 133, has been hacked to allow installation of additional apps, access to the computer's main file system, and more. Initial impressions of the Envy have noted that Splashtop can go from off to surfing in 15 seconds with SplashTop (which Voodoo calls "IOS"), but out of the box it's somewhat locked down and only works with a predefined list of common applications. Being a Linux system, it's not that hard to believe that someone has successfully made SplashTop jump through some hoops, but it beats waiting for an official SDK, which has been delayed. Give it a shot on your SplashTop-capable machine if you're not afraid of a whole bunch of terminal messiness. [Phoronix]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Anomynoose
Posted 11:45 PM 30/7/08
great. with all the added functionality of the instant-on OS, it's pretty much going to turn into a regular os. but snark aside, this is a pretty cool development.
Anomynoose
unspellable
Posted 11:31 PM 30/7/08
Sun has been running Linux for their lights out management OS for several years. So, ASUS running this on their motherboards could do open them up to some unique desktop management options.
unspellable
Shub-Niggurath
Posted 11:21 PM 30/7/08
When I first saw this I wondered why no one else has done this before! 99% of the time I'm on my computer, I'm only using the internet.
Shub-Niggurath
Maksimir
Posted 11:17 PM 30/7/08
anyone have any experience with this? Its peaked my interest.. I wouldn't mind building an ussf with this capability.
Maksimir
hammertime1994
Posted 12:11 AM 31/7/08
How large is the flash chip in which it resides? If it's large enough to hold some useful recovery tools I'm in! It would be nice to not have to use my Ubuntu 8.04 Live CD every time I need to use gParted... A GRUB configuration tool would be nice too... I just need one of those dang mobos.
hammertime1994
urbanturban666
Posted 1:49 AM 31/7/08
they gotta start shipping there higher end laptops win linux.
urbanturban666
Y2KGTP
Posted 2:58 AM 31/7/08
15 seconds? My Vista home PC can do that from cold. Under 5 seconds if in sleep mode.....
Y2KGTP
snakepliskin
Posted 2:41 AM 31/7/08
Does anyone know which asus motherboards support instant on?
snakepliskin
JEmlay
Posted 6:41 AM 31/7/08
@Y2KGTP:
Word! I don't see the big deal. Although I'm slightly slower then 15 and 5...
JEmlay
nutbastard
Posted 1:14 AM 1/8/08
"Splahstop", eh? (titlebar)
@Y2KGTP:
15 seconds from cold boot to surfing? uh huh. mind if i get some of what you're smoking?
@JEmlay:
i have a really, really, really hard time believing you and y2ks claims of 15 seconds.
also im skeptical about your 20 inch penises, size 18 shoes, 3,000 horsepower cars, and Nobel Peace Prizes.
nutbastard
pandaSmore
Posted 4:13 AM 1/8/08
@Y2KGTP
Well Asus advertises it to boot in 5 secs but says it will very from system.
My Windows XP takes about 45 secs to get to the log-in screen and another 135 secs to finish loading my account. Also my Vista machine takes about 120 secs to finish loading my account.
pandaSmore
JEmlay
Posted 10:13 AM 1/8/08
@nutbastard:
"i have a really, really, really hard time believing you and y2ks claims of 15 seconds."
Learn to read, I didn't say I boot in 15 seconds.
"also im skeptical about your 20 inch penises, size 18 shoes, 3,000 horsepower cars, and Nobel Peace Prizes."
Wow, you're too funny....or something...
JEmlay