2005 Ford F150 MAGNUS Truckputer - project and pics

**rdholtz** · 03-03-2009, 08:46 AM

Well, I've fixed a bunch of computers, and I've been shot at more than enough to convince me that, no matter how ugly the computer problems have been, I'll never say, "I'd rather be back being shot at."

There's no question that parts of your deployment will be a good time, and parts of it really will be a paid vacation. Living and working with combat troops is a world unto itself, and I still pretty much prefer warriors to anyone else. They just "get" life at a whole different level.

But that's not an exclusive club. It seems to me that the people who "get it" are those who've been pulled out of their normal environment and placed into one of deprivation, maybe of danger, and a world where they can see that most people on the planet are going through lives of quiet desperation -- just getting by from day to day. They see that life in the "first" world is simply extraordinary, almost surreal, compared to the third world, which is where the vast majority of the planet's population lives.

Only a tiny portion of the world's people have a life where the toughest problem of their day is figuring out a carPC issue. We're a lucky bunch.

**Kalenth** · 03-06-2009, 11:55 AM

I am lucky. Speaking of big discesions, since I'm selling my truck, the wife is trying to decide what SUV. We keep going back and forth between an X5 and a Range Rover HVE... not sure yet. We need to get out and drive em. They are all stock with NAV, etc... so it looks like it'll be 2011 before I get the opportunity to build and install into whatever I have then.

Honestly I'm liking the ideas of the iphone function... but there will certainly be ridiculous stuff out by then.

**rdholtz** · 03-06-2009, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Kalenth

... so it looks like it'll be 2011 before I get the opportunity to build and install into whatever I have then.

Honestly I'm liking the ideas of the iphone function... but there will certainly be ridiculous stuff out by then.

By 2011, we'll probably be carrying amazing stuff in our pockets. There may even be a new common docking system (a wireless one?) that lets our phone/computer connect to whatever vehicle we're in, plus our home entertainment system and PC, plus our netbook/laptop/tablet system. It might even have limited connection to the work PC, assuming there's no corporate security roadblock to that.

Building a carPC will be a matter of finding a place for the screen and running a few cables to the dock, or, for those who want the carPC concealed, to the glovebox, where the iPhone-size device lives.

Maybe someone will come up with a nifty solution for reliable 12V power in a tiny, affordable, plug-and-play device.

All that aside, I recommend that you make an earlier return so you can jump back into this . . . I'd rather not see it all develop without your input.

**SMC1048576** · 03-17-2009, 01:09 PM

Kalenth please respond to my PMs... I will copy them to this thread as well:

Its been several days with zero response... please respond!

"I need to get an answer on the button situation... Im not interested in the screen unless I have a fully intact screen that has full functions... please respond!

Thanks,

Shane!

Quote: Originally Posted by SMC1048576
got the screen... I have some questions though... where are the buttons? I was expecting a complete screen setup... without buttons how can you change what mode the screen is currently in???"

**Kalenth** · 03-17-2009, 01:50 PM

PM'd!

**SMC1048576** · 03-17-2009, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Kalenth

PM'd!

Thanks again Kalenth, I appreciate your response.

**jollysig** · 06-21-2010, 04:03 PM

I was just catching up on the latest news and working on the plan for upgrading the pc in my truck (2007 Silverado) and I saw your post about being in AFG and having your pc stolen, I immediatly panicked and called the wife to check on my own truck.

That truly sucks though. Your over here working hard and some smuck steals your hard work. I hope some one in the area recongnizes your system and the thief is caught. Two deployments ago I had my old truck in the base "impound lot" and someone broke in and stole my head unit, amp, speakers, and cigarette lighter. I was so ticked off I sold the truck and bought a new one. I could not bear the thought of someone causing so much malise to the most prized possession I owed. I see you might be in the same boat since you were planning on getting a new SUV.

BTW I am actually right down the street from you at BAF. We have a detachment stationed over at SAL and I visit up there reguarly so if you ever want to talk shop drop me a PM and we'll link up for some Green Beans.