The concept of an open set-top box is new and a place that Linux has a very favorable opportunity. Unlike the desktop, where compatibility with legacy applications and peripherals is a serious impediment, the set-top box simply has to play today's available content. Today the Neuros LINK, with Flash 10 and many other media plug-ins, is a lot of the way there already. There's only a handful of content sources that don't already play, and most of the pieces and parts are available for them as well. Once we incorporate those sources, there's little reason that anyone would need a full fledged PC connected to their PC, and even less reason for Windows.
As anyone that's struggled with getting legacy applications and peripherals on a Linux desktop knows, critical mass is important, and just like the desktop, there are liable to be winners and losers. Help us to make sure that Linux achieves the critical mass it needs to make sure that content producers and hardware makers ensure compatibility with Linux. Overall you don't necessarily have to own a LINK to complete a bounty, but some of the issues are hardware related, so ultimately to claim the bounties it will have to work on one of our devices in the office.
Please discuss the bounties below, on the Neuros Forums , or on irc.freenode.net, channel #neuros
1.) Netflix
$2500 to get it working, connecting directly with the Netflix service
$500 to get it working using PC software as an intermediary (ala MediaMall PlayOn but preferably something open source)
Conditions:
1.Working. Can still have plenty of rough edges and doesn't have to demonstrate all the features, but we need to be able to play movies on a LINK in our office with it.
2. Have to beat Boxee to the functionality, which is planned for early '09. Once Boxee works on Ubuntu, the problem will have already been solved.
3. Have to beat Netflix to the functionality. It has been stated that Ubuntu will be a supported operating system, and once that client comes out this bounty is null and void.
3. Documentation to replicate or a downloadable package for the LINK.
$2000 to get it working. $2500 to get it working within Linux's Firefox
Conditions:
1. Working, both in full screen and within a window. Can have some bugs, but needs to be usable by us in the office.
2. Similar to Netflix, have to beat Move Networks to the functionality.
2. Documentation allowing others to replicate
3.) iTunes
For those that want or need iTunes, for playing back content they already own, etc. This has been done by others on Ubuntu, but it needs to be tweaked to make it work on the LINK.
$1000
Conditions:
1. Working. Doesn't have to be perfect, but usable by us in the office.
2. Able to play content from the iTunes Store, at least audio
3. Complete documentation that others can follow to replicate
4.) Configure Wired/Wireless Networking Wizard
Ubuntu enables easy configuration of wireless networking. However, it is hard to see the configuration screens from a TV. Furthermore, they need to be a part of a "first boot wizard" that enables wireless network configuration when the user boots for the first time. Current Ubuntu tools don't enable the network connections until after user login. This prevents the Link from auto mounting network shares and using other resources that require network before login.
$750
Conditions:
1. Ties into freedesktop.org NetworkManager via Qt4 D-BUS
2. Use the "10-foot GUI" built by our designer
3. C++ Qt4, Python Qt4, or Ruby Qt4
4. Must work on Ubuntu 8.10
5. Must be easily modifiable for future distribution changes
6. Must handle Wireless and Ethernet connections both dynamic and static IP
7. Configures Networking at system boot instead of graphical login
5.) Video Resolution and Xorg settings changer
When the "auto-detect" of the graphics card is not working or user wants to specifiy a specific output format, we need to configure different resolution output of the video card. This GUI should be able to handle xorg.conf ati fglrx configuration options and easily be changed to support nvidia, intel, via, and other generic types of cards.
$750
Conditions:
1. Work with our designer to conform to a "10-foot GUI"
2. Communicate via D-BUS when possible and only using Freedeskop API
3. C++ Qt4, Python Qt4, or Ruby Qt4
4. Must work on Ubuntu 8.10
5. Must be easily modifiable for future distribution changes
6. Provide TV standard resolutions 480p, 780p, 1080p
7. Allow forced selection of output ports DVI, D-Video, HDMI, VGA
8. Use minimal amount of dynamic libraries to complete task.
6.) Error and Problem reporter
Need GUI application that can easily let user email problems and collect data from the Link during the process. It would auto grab log files and other system data for submission when a problem is occurring and user wishes to send a report of the problem. The reporter software should collect specific information such as running processes, memory usage, cpu usage, power state, log files, user comments, and guide the user visually to help them make the best report possible.
$500
Conditions:
1. Work with our designer to conform to a "10-foot GUI"
2. Communicate via D-BUS when possible and only using Freedeskop API
3. C++ Qt4, Python Qt4, or Ruby Qt4
4. Must work on Ubuntu 8.10
5. Must be easily modifiable for future distribution changes
6. Use minimal amount of dynamic libraries to complete task
7. Collect coredumps and kernel debugging information
7.) Upgrade GUI
Gnome already has a nice system tray update notifier and installer, however it is not TV friendly, uses small box/text and only shows a different icon. Furthermore, as our main application is full screen, it needs to alert the user of update questions that they need to answer prior to continuing. The Upgrade applet/systray application should also periodically check for updates and user specified intervals and times.
$750
Conditions:
1. Communicate with aptitude to listen for questions asked during updates, then push answers to dpkg/debconf
2. C++ Qt4, Python Qt4, or Ruby Qt4
3. Must work on Ubuntu 8.10
4. Support OSD (On Screen Display) for notifications
5. Have common settings found in OSD Notification systems
6. Must be easily modifiable for future distribution changes
These are just the first, we'll be posting more and please suggest others!
How do I take on the bounty?
Send an email to bounties@neurostechnology.com with:
- Your name
- Which bounty you wish to take on/have completed
If the bounty calls for working with a designer, we will make arrangements.
for more explanation, rules see here
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