Dragon Tau

Overview
To create an on-board system for recreational vehicles, specifically motor homes, that will control every electronic device available.

History
For our Bed & Breakfast project, I had planned to construct and develop an in-house system to provide guests with all their media and communications needs through a single networked computer and screen.
Research uncovered the Fiire system (Fire Engine, Fire Station, etc) which ran Kubuntu with LinuxMCE. Having, finally, built a PC capable of handling video graphics, I installed Ubuntu 9 (jaunty) with the intent of trying out LinuxMCE only to discover it only runs on Kubuntu 7. They are porting it to Kubuntu 8, but as is my want, I want the latest and greatest. Seems clear to me that the project is either under staffed or the scope is too large.
The company offering the Fiire system, which was built on a previous project, produced all the networked hardware required for total media presentation as well as foraying into home automation. They have since disappeared. LinuxMCE seems to have ground to a halt also. Another system available is MMS (My Media System), which I tried, but managed to lose my sound.
As we are now intending to travel for a couple of years before settling down somewhere, the project has morphed into the RV project. This has also expanded the potential scope of the work.

Scope.
DVD movies
On-line programming
TV programming
Music collection
GPS
Games
News
Weather
Security
Engine monitoring
Security
Phone
Email
Internet
DVR
Video capture
Video editing

Approach
The idea is to use a light touch approach, meaning that the software system will not take over the entire system and exclude other applications, much like LinuxMCE does, but take an approach more like MMS where the application presents a menu type system that utilizes other applications that are masters of their own domains. This project takes it a step further by using a Linux desktop to offer the user with available options. Two mantras spring to mind, Why reinvent the wheel, and Standing on the shoulders of giants.
Linux has been selected as the core operating system as it is the only open source OS out there capable of doing what I want, and well it's Linux.
Ubuntu has been chosen as the base distribution as they seem to be very active in developing their package, and having built a development machine, Ubuntu 9.04 recognized the sound card and produced some noise out of the box. It also has side projects that can be incorporated.
Medibuntu (Media, Entertainment and Distraction Ubuntu) will handle the media delivery.
The end result I am looking for is a custom package that includes all the necessary applications on a CD that, once a network is installed within an RV, can be loaded, easily configured and your good to go.

First step was to build a suitable PC to test out and run the required applications. The box is a quad core AMD Phenom with 4Gb of RAM on a Gigabyte motherboard.
Step two is to acquire an RV to house the whole thing. This is in progress.

Phases
Phase I will attack media presentation and help guide the development of the hardware required to develop the project.
Phase II will attack GPS and navigation systems.
Phase III will attack media capture, both DVR and web cam.
Phase IV will attack communications.
Phase V will cover security

Features
Watch any media on any screen aboard, or watch different media on individual screens.
Watch what you want where you want.
Live birds eye view.
Travel/parked modes to block functions on individual screens

Link: http://davidryman.com/index.php/2009/12/18/building-the-first-on-board-computer?blog=14

There are many reasons for the decline in manufacturing in the US.
Restrictive trading practices in other countries.
Cheaper products made overseas.
Tax breaks for outsourcing.

To start a new business requires more than an idea. You need premises, a work force, administrative staff, material supplies, sales outlets, and all this requires money. The process is overwhelming to all but a few dedicated individuals, and there is no guarantee of success, the majority of small businesses fail within the first 2 years.

It does not have to be that way, if we all get together and "Do what we do best".

We all have the 'great idea' that would make a fortune if only....If only we had someone we could trust to take it and run with it. Well why not.

Set up an 'Ideas development shop', where anyone can go to develop their ideas. Given encouragement most people would pursue there ideas given that they might make some money from it.

OK we have the IDS (Ideas Development Shop) and it has 100s of product ideas filed away. Now what.

Read more »

Link: http://davidryman.com/writer.php?title=manufacturing-opportunities-in-the-us&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more272

Workforce
The workforce at a manufacturing plant are generally paid minimum wage. I would envision two distinct groups of workers, the experienced and the trainees. The Trainees would likely be those that have recently left the education system. They will be able to get some productive experience before moving on to better paid 'traditional' businesses. The Experienced workers would likely be retired, part-time people seeking additional income to bolster their retirement funds. They would also include workers between jobs, who have some valuable experience under their belts. There would probably be a third group, those that cannot find better paying jobs and remain within the system for life. Still it would be better than claiming Social Security.
It is not the intent of this manufacturing base to make anything complex, so the workers do not have to be highly skilled, although there are no boundaries.