I could use some guidance. I am looking to take an idea of mine, use the arduino keeping with the open source hardware/software initiative, and market it for a specific group of people. I do want to capitalize on the idea by the services offered on my website by allowing folks to upload, store, and share their data and experiences and even receive SMS messages or look at the data on their smartphone via an app. The whole concept will be open source even the website half, so it can be used for other hobbyists, etc.
What kind of suggestions would you have for me on interfacing the arudino via wifi to a server and keeping it secure? I am thinking username, password, and a pin. Obviously the ardunio would not be able to handle a real DSA key for communications, but how secure can I get?
What about performing updates via SD memory? Is it possible?
What about performing updates via SD memory? Is it possible?
No, to update an arduino you need an SD card and another arduino to update the code in the first.
You have a very vague set of requirements, so much for it being open source if you won't even say what it is?
Open source doesn't mean I need to share my idea yet. It just means I share my work for others to enjoy the DIY part of it, modify the project with additions and share with the hobbyists, etc, or even use it for similar hobbies. I want to capitalize on the services offered and I don't want that idea out yet - not because of you all, but rather commercial folks. I would gladly share with anyone over PM.
Let me see if I got it right. You are planning to charge people for a place for them to share their projects with the rest of the world, right?
Here's my thoughts...
There's no way I would join in for you to make a profit out of my work. And this comes to the other question... be careful, because sometimes, open source has the requirement that you make no money out of it, otherwise, royalties will be in order.
bubulindo:
Let me see if I got it right. You are planning to charge people for a place for them to share their projects with the rest of the world, right?
Here's my thoughts...
There's no way I would join in for you to make a profit out of my work. And this comes to the other question... be careful, because sometimes, open source has the requirement that you make no money out of it, otherwise, royalties will be in order.
No. The gadget I want to build will be open everything, however it needs to interface with a webserver to have the extra features like uploading your data, SMS messaging alarms, etc. That webserver costs money... charging folks would only be on the order of $15/year. The project does not require you to use the extras. It will act as a standalone and can interface with the android app locally instead of remotely.
The open source would still stand true... we all build on each other. The pieces I add will allow others to build and contribute back. I will offer it as kits or fully assembled, etc.
You didn't sound like this in the first post. When you said in your website, it is fair to assume that the website is already running. The SMSs also cost money too. But, if we want to see our data online, there's the possibility of using pachube. Yes, you are specifying a bit more on top of the pachube (or what I know of it), but I don't think that people would pay to access a forum and share their work when they can do so for free in many different places around the web.
But hey, give it a go. As far as safety go, have a look at Pachube.