Playing DVDs on N900 with USB hostmode
Normally videos don't make the front page, especially when the topic is covered by number of items. However, in the case of Mohammad Abu-Garbeyyeh's latest video - demonstrating USB hostmode - we've made an exception. Joerg Reisenweber's announcement on maemo-developers is covered in the `Devices' section. Mohammad's video shows him playing DVDs on the N900 with a modified kernel and a custom mplayer build. [...] (Note: video is playing solely on CPU power, mplayer is not accelerated by the PowerVR, which explains the framedrops) More information on USB hostmode is later in the issue.
Saturday before MeeGo conference: team-based lollipop stick bridge building
With a week to go to the start of the first MeeGo Conference, the community have been organising events (beyond spodding and drinking) for the prior weekend, for those arriving early. Dave Neary is organising a "Maker's Contest" where, instead of building funky Qt applications, teams have to build a pretty, load-bearing bridge out of lollipop sticks: Each team will get 100 lollipop sticks and a glue gun with one glue stick. No other materials may be used for the bridge. Teams will have 1 hour to make a bridge which should span a 40cm gap. Dave is looking for local logistical assistance (including weights and rope for testing the bridges); so start forming your teams now!