Build My Own Thing Clients with XPe?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Slobodan Brcin \(eMVP\)
  • Start date Start date
Hi Richard,
Of course, if I could customize the OS and remove extra unneed services and
make the machines start up and run faster, that would be great.
Click to expand...

You actually start from scratch and add features that you need. You do not remove features that you do not want.
The part of this equation I don't (yet) understand -- where does the
embedded OS reside? Do I have to purchase a card/chip/etc. to put the OS on?
Click to expand...

Same as Windows XP Prof with few additions. It can boot from HDD, CF, USB, CD, Network, SDI image file, and probably something else.
I see from the Microsoft site that the XPe O/S costs $90 per client but I
could not find anything about how I go about licensing the OS.. Do we
purchase one copy and then pay Microsoft for each device we sell?
Click to expand...

You buy COA stickers ~90$ that you put on each device that will use XPe.
And once you buy XP Embedded tools that cost 1000$+

That is it.

Regards,
Slobodan
 
Hi,

I am new to this discussion group -- I just learned about XPe while
reviewing tech specs on various thin clients available on the market. My
question is -- can I build my own thin clients and put XPe on them? For
example, we recently upgrade computers in our office and we have several
older generation (P-III's) that would make ideal browser-only thin clients
for some other applications I have in mind. Is it possible for me to
accomplish turning these normal components into XPe thin clients? If so,
what steps do I need to take?

Thanks,

Rich
 
Richard,
Hi,

I am new to this discussion group -- I just learned about XPe while
reviewing tech specs on various thin clients available on the market. My
question is -- can I build my own thin clients and put XPe on them?
Click to expand...

Nope, you cannot. You should ask for a help from companies like BSquare (www.bsquare.com).
Just kidding. Of course you can if the clients are XP Pro compatible (x86 based, etc.). If you can try installing XP Pro on the
hardware and if it works - you are on the right path.
Also, it will help you to run TAP (read XPe docs).
 
I have looked at the Micrsoft website and downloaded some stuff relating to
XPe. I do not need to customize the OS or install any apps of my own -- I
just need Internet Explorer 5.5 or later for the web based application to
run.

Of course, if I could customize the OS and remove extra unneed services and
make the machines start up and run faster, that would be great.

The part of this equation I don't (yet) understand -- where does the
embedded OS reside? Do I have to purchase a card/chip/etc. to put the OS on?

I see from the Microsoft site that the XPe O/S costs $90 per client but I
could not find anything about how I go about licensing the OS.. Do we
purchase one copy and then pay Microsoft for each device we sell? I know I
mean be getting ahead of myself here a little bit, but I'm just trying to
weigh the cost options of building our own devices versus purchasing from
Wyse, Unisys, etc..

Thanks,

Rich
 
Hi Again --

Thanks for all the continued feedback!

I have done some more research, and it appears that Windows CE.Net has the
required IE browser and only costs $16 per device. Does anyone know if the
version of IE included with Windows CE is the same "full blown" version of
IE that can be installed on a Windows PC?

I understand now how XPe could run on a standard storage device in a
machine. What about Windows CE?

Also, since my main concern is with web browsing / web based apps, how are
pages cached for the browser?

Thanks again,

Rich
 
Richard,
Thanks for all the continued feedback!

I have done some more research, and it appears that Windows CE.Net has the
required IE browser and only costs $16 per device.
Click to expand...

It would be $3 if you just go with CE Core license. But then you have to develop your own internet browser :-)
Does anyone know if the
version of IE included with Windows CE is the same "full blown" version of
IE that can be installed on a Windows PC?
Click to expand...

No, it is not. Even though the IE 6.0/CE is a ported version from Desktop, it has some "minor" limitations. If you switch to CE 5.0,
IE 6.0 there is "closer" to IE 6.0 on Desktop (e.g., alpha filter added, some other cool dhtml stuff too).
However, that might not be so importnat to you as the lack of similar Internet Explorer UI. The available IESample and IESimple
projects are not the same but rather non full-blown wrappers. Evalute IESample and see if it is what you can get along with.
I understand now how XPe could run on a standard storage device in a
machine. What about Windows CE?
Click to expand...

The same. Although there is much less "production-quality" drivers avalable for CE that for XP.
Post this question to microsoft.public.windowsce.platbuilder newsgroup to get more info.
Also, since my main concern is with web browsing / web based apps, how are
pages cached for the browser?
Click to expand...

Locally or wherever you set them up. The registry entries for various Caches are the same on CE and XPe (IE 6.0, of course).

Btw, if you are interested in thin clients. On CE?PB take a look at the Thin Client Design template. It is a design pretty well
tested on many different device brands (HP, Wyse, Compaq, ..., etc.).

KM
 
Hi --

Thanks for this info.. I have one question -->

Btw, if you are interested in thin clients. On CE?PB take a look at the
Thin Client Design template. It is a design
pretty well tested on many different device brands (HP, Wyse, Compaq, ...,
etc.).
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you are speaking of here..

Thanks,

Rich
 
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