Pierre Coupard, the genius behind the amazing Linux/RTAI based software radio, now brings us this interesting article that explains how you can build an environmentally friendly uClinux system that is powered by a hand crank. Look ma, no batteries!

Coupard writes . . .

“Have you ever thought it'd be cool if you could have an environmentally friendly computer?”

“I've always wanted one. I even powered my old ZX81 with a bicycle, a dynamo, and a bridge rectifier once. Trouble is, even the poor little ZX81 needed a lot of pedaling to simply boot up.”

“Then, one Friday, I came across this hand-powered lantern while browsing the net, and an idea clicked in my head: the manufacturer of this little gem ships it with a 3V @ 650mA light bulb (1.95 W), and the uCdimm from Lineo needs 3.3V @ 350mA (1.16 W) at most, so the generator within the lantern should be able to power a uCdimm confortably . . .”

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