Are you like me waiting to start off on that huge home electronic project? Then I have just the thing for you. Olimex just released few of their development boards with pre-installed Linux. The one shown below comes with a touch screen and a USB port (hint: webcam connection). Since it already comes with a copy of uCLinux cd you can start your project from day one.

No wasting time trying to figure out how to get an OS on your device. I was planning to make an “always on” bedside device which fetched news, weather, with skype installed so it doubles as my portable phone when I am away. Something that gets RSS feeds of my favorite websites and that also doubles as a mail reader. But surfing, I found this thing called Chumby. Its exactly what I was planning to make, and much much more. It too runs on linux. Anyhow, I suppose I have to find a new project to work on. Probably a home security solution. Will keep you all posted on it.

Without further delay, here’s Mr. Have it all (cost roughly 200 Euros, cheaper without the display)

The LPC-2478STK

• ARM7 LPC2478 microcontroller
• 3.5-inch color TFT LCD with backlight and touchscreen
• MP3 VS1002D decoder
• accelerometer
• 64 MB SDRAM
• USB
• PS2 keyboard connector
• Ethernet
• RS-232
• SD/MMC card
• 2 buttons
• 1 trimpot
• Audio in
• Audio out
• 5.3 x 4.0 inches;

Planning to make something right away? Use the comment box to tell us about it.