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Car PC Hacks - I So Want to Try This |
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Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 09:36 AM EDT
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I'm plowing through the enormous pile of newly redacted SCO documents, as you no doubt can guess, and I've found a couple of interesting things to share, but in the middle of that heavy brain work, I got a press release in an email. I usually don't place press releases on Groklaw, but this one is so entrancing, I am going to. It's for an O'Reilly book, "Car PC Hacks", and my poor brain, never so strong when it comes to staying on only one subject, immediately went walkabout and is now dreaming of hacks for my car. OK, which of you guys volunteers to hack my car for me? Joke. Joke. The fun would be to try to do it myself, I think. Nah. It'd be fun no matter who made it happen. And honestly, look at the list, and isn't it delightful to think about? Here's the press release, so we can have fun daydreaming on the same wavelength a while. You know you want your car to be able to do every single thing on the list. Tell your boss it's my fault you can't think about the project at hand.
How can you be expected to think about work when you are contemplating creating "a powerful mobile digital hub" for your car? Or imagining listening to email as you drive? I certainly can't think of anything else for a bit. I'm only human. If you have any questions you want me to ask the author, just sing out and I will.
********************************
For Immediate Release
Geek Your Ride
O'Reilly Releases "Car PC Hacks"
Sebastopol, CA--It started with the addition of satellite radio and then
an iPod. Now DVD and MP3 players, navigation systems, and touch screens
are standard in many vehicles. But installing an actual computer in a car
with TiVo-like functionality? Absolutely! "The time for in-car computing
has arrived," says Damien Stolarz--and his groundbreaking new "Car PC
Hacks" (Stolarz, O'Reilly, US $24.95) is the first book to show readers
how to put a PC in their ride and create a powerful mobile digital hub.
Fully illustrated and written by innovative computer hardware hackers and
automobile customizers, "Car PC Hacks" is a collection of tips, tutorials,
and techniques for installing, displaying, and controlling a car PC. It
shows readers how to use a keyboard touch screen, or voice-activated
in-car computers for things like watching (and even pausing and rewinding)
live TV on the road; videoconferencing on the go; and using GPS to create
a constant travel record.
"Once we get used to features in one part of our lives, we want to be able
to use them everywhere--including in our cars," says Stolarz. People have
come to count on an array of features and choices. "Why shouldn't you be
able to say, 'I like the navigation system in the Infiniti, I think I'll
get that for my Civic'?" asks Stolarz. And people definitely like to
simplify. "When you've got half a dozen different kinds of digital media
sitting in the passenger seat of your car (mobile phone, camera, PDA,
iPod, portable USB memory stick, CDs), you'd like them to be able to talk
to each other. Putting a computer in your car will allow all your gadgets
to work with your vehicle." A car PC can serve as a digital hub for
everyone's favorite must-have devices--and even some they don't yet know
they need.
Anyone, with a little know-how, can put a PC on board. "Traditionally, car
guys don't know computers," says Stolarz, "and computer guys don't know
cars." But by using language that both audiences will understand, "Car PC
Hacks" bridges that gap. Computer gurus skilled in all things software and
hardware will learn the wiring, power, and connector basics necessary to
get around a car with ease. Mechanics and auto enthusiasts who can install
speakers, amps, and stereos in their sleep but depend on their friends to
fix their ailing computers will learn all the essentials of the
computer/car interface.
Clever, detailed hacks include:
-Install a PC or Mac computer that will power on and off just like the car
stereo--and won't drain the car battery
-Move an entire audio collection to the car and navigate playlists with a
remote control or touch screen
-Install a PC-based in-car navigation system that is cheaper, faster, and
more usable than the factory-supplied setup in new cars
-Plug into the car's built-in computer and find out what the "check engine
light" is really saying
-Enjoy wireless networking and accessing the Internet from the car
-Listen to email, news, and RSS feeds while driving
-Run a TiVo-like radio broadcast recorder so favorite shows are always
ready and waiting
-Use a game console as a small, quiet, and affordable in-car computer (and
even offering one to every passenger!)
From hooking up and powering up an in-car computer to configuring it to do
countless cool things drivers never thought possible, the ideas in this
cutting-edge guide show readers the possibilities--and how to make them
happen--with a car PC.
Additional Resources:
For more information about the book, including table of contents, index,
author bios, and sample hacks, see:
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/carpchks/ . . . .
About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media is the premier information source for leading-edge computer
technologies. The company's books, conferences, and web sites bring to
light the knowledge of technology innovators. O'Reilly books, known for
the animals on their covers, occupy a treasured place on the shelves of
the developers building the next generation of software. O'Reilly
conferences and summits bring alpha geeks and forward-thinking business
leaders together to shape the revolutionary ideas that spark new
industries. From the Internet to XML, open source, .NET, Java, and web
services, O'Reilly puts technologies on the map.
# # #
O'Reilly is a registered trademark of O'Reilly Media, Inc. All other
trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 10:21 AM EDT |
... my system just crashed.
I particularly look forward to navigating my > 2 weeks of music by hand while
driving at high speed.
:-)[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 10:27 AM EDT |
Yak shaving at its best. [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: billyskank on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 10:35 AM EDT |
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
---
It's not the software that's free; it's you.[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 10:46 AM EDT |
What's wrong with driving your car while your driving your car? Maybe if more
people spent more time driving their car the rest of us wouldn't have to spend
as much time driving our car.
Stupid Idea for a stupid world.
Why don't we put a game boy in the cockpit of every plane, those guys might want
to multitask, or how about in cranes, crane operators probably need more to do
too! Wouldn't that be cool!
Or better yet, let's make a combination treadmill and straight razor machine.
Think about the time savings, you get your exercise while shaving!
[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: GuyllFyre on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 10:50 AM EDT |
Looks pretty cool. I took a quick read of the sample sections and was
interested in seeing the car named in the MAC installation. The 1993 Tatra
T613-4Mi.
After doing a web search, I figured I was just going to find some pictures.
Appears that I've found the car in the book!
http://www.metro.st/jj/tatra/index.html
It's not in English but I'll be damned if it's not the same car. It showed up
as one of the first links in Google about the "T613 Frankfurt." Lots
of cool pics. Car is ugly as sin but probably handles and drives hella nice.
-S[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: DaveJakeman on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 10:54 AM EDT |
A recumbent with
MULTIPLE computers...
...running Linux of course.
Notice the
head-up display and sexbar as integral parts of the computing
infrastructure.
Could it be any more geeky than this? Don't answer
that. --- Should one hear an accusation, first look to see how it might
be levelled at the accuser. [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: jbeadle on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 10:56 AM EDT |
Please make links clickabls as described on the "Post a Comment" page,
and use HTML Post Mode.
Thanks,
-jb
[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 11:17 AM EDT |
Check out this comic, now if someone had stolen IP from Darl this way,
the world would be a much nicer place to live...
Darl's IP is
stolen
I still can not stop chuckling.... [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 11:25 AM EDT |
Just remember that the temperature inside a car can go from -20 to +120 in Ohio
and if you do a "stupid" it can rain in a convertible. Hard drives
typically will not tolerate wide temperature ranges or moisture. [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Latesigner on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 11:51 AM EDT |
I was holding out for "Super Car" but till it turns up this might do.
---
The only way to have an "ownership" society is to make slaves of the rest of us.[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: kawabago on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 11:53 AM EDT |
It could also get you in trouble with the DMCA (Digital Millenium Car Act) which
protects auto-makers from rampant innovation.
---
TTFN[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: erond on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 11:54 AM EDT |
My first turn to show off here, since IANAL, and this article fits in so well
with what
I did. :)
This is a
project that I
started when I heard about "mini-ITX"
form-factor motherboards.
I had no
practical reason for doing it, other than seeing if it could be done.
It then
grew from basic functionality into what it is now.
Unfortunately I had to
use Windows (the original install was Fedora) because I
have yet to find any
good navigation software for Linux (FOSS or commercial).
I now have GPS
navigation, MP3 player, and internet access via my cel phone and
bluetooth. GPS
has let me become un-lost on one occasion, MP3 is great when
there is nothing
over-the-air I want to hear and the CD selection is getting
old. Internet access
let me get online and find phone numbers and a store that
had something when the
store I was at didn't have it.
I still consider it a "toy", and not a
neccesity. I don't play stupid
not-paying-attention-to-the-road games, but it
was a fun project that ended up
being pretty useful.
Oh, yeah. Just to keep
seeing what else I can do, I added a webcam mounted on the rearview mirror to
make visual records of where I go. It takes up too much CPU to work well with
what I have, so time to upgrade...
[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: davcefai on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 12:08 PM EDT |
The real challenge will be to do it for boats (including small ones) and the
ULTIMATE challenge will be to do it to a Windsurfer (don't forget the wind
powered generator and total waterproofing!)[ Reply to This | # ]
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- Boats? - Authored by: NetArch on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 02:03 PM EDT
- Boats? - Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 02:12 PM EDT
- BIG Boats? - Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, August 26 2005 @ 04:23 AM EDT
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 12:18 PM EDT |
Down here they can barely handle a car let alone a computer in it. Beer in hand,
talking on the mobile, gesturing with both hands - all at the same time while
talking to someone in the back seat! Just add a computer to that chaos as well.
Make my next car an A1M2.
Tufty
[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: emperor on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 12:45 PM EDT |
Of course, some of us have been computing in the car for a while now
=]
empeg
-roman
--- He who
fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if
you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you. - Nietzsche [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 12:46 PM EDT |
Turn your Linksys wireless router (running Linux of course) into an RC
truck:
http://www.filefarmer.com/flyas
hi/wrt54g/
Void Main [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 12:58 PM EDT |
Lots of auto enthusiasts have been hacking the car's internal computers for
quite a while, to tweak performance, adapt to driving conditions, or whatever.
With processor-controlled ignition, fuel metering, transmission shifting, and
monitoring of just about everything, an open interface to all those things
(although it would be asking for trouble) seems to be an idea whose time has
come. Add to that the activity already seen in putting a Mac Mini or one of its
inevitable clones into the dash, and the opportunity for mischief approaches the
downright irresistable.
For my ideas, how about:
As mentioned above,
dynamic reconfiguration of operational profiles for speed, fuel economy, load
handling, etc.
More adaptable cruise control, with profiles for hilly
terrain, towing, etc. where standard fixed-speed controls not only waste fuel
but radically accelerate transmission failure.
GPS, already mentioned,
is an invaluable input device which can supply the keys to locale-specific
context, especially through links to services like Google maps for the "where's
the nearest X" for any interesting value of X, such as gas station, hospital,
all-night diner, Steak&Shake(tm), three-star-or-better hotel, Elbonian
embassy, etc. By the way, this is also my answer for mobile 911 service: just
substitute the emergency service you need for X above...
Also
facilitated by GPS: an application supplied by AAA or similar club, notifying
club's diagnostic station of system error codes encountered by the vehicle's
systems, and any other information deemed relevant to the diagnosis, to support
more informed and effective dispatch and road service; if sufficient information
is available for a conclusive diagnosis, the targeted service station can
prepare for the vehicle's arrival, with the right "parts and smarts" at the
ready.
Not really separate from, but an enhancement to, the above,
collision detection and alerting, with all pertinent information, to notify the
nearest appropriate emergency-response facilities automatically, in the event of
the occupant's incapacity.
Again, with the GPS, already!: calculation
of efficient routes for a lengthy, multi-destination itinerary, adaptable in the
face of changing road conditions and time-based constraints
Operation
history, for diagnostic, forensic, and other purposes [include standard data
security/privacy/usability/function trade-off analysis here by
reference].
Route retracing, for answering the question "how did I get
here?" or "what turn did I miss?".
All of the above is possible without
additional hardware beyond the basics of GPS, Internet transceiver, and vehicle
system interfaces.
Additional hardware, such as ultrasonic or radar
transducers, accelerimeters, video cameras, additional sensors and servos, opens
up lots more fun stuff. Collision-avoidance; further enhanced cruise control
that takes into account the speed and proximity of other vehicles; adaptive
road-noise cancellation; inferring driver inattention, drowsiness, or other
impairment; enhancing security and usability by strengthening keyless entry
systems as necessary, or making locks responsive to other than just a given
hardware key; duress codes for carjacking incidents; enhancing privacy by
disabling various RFID devices such as toll passes when they're not needed; etc.
I'm not out of ideas; I'm just out of time.
In many cases, features that
I've named above are not novel but already implemented in upscale models, but
generally they're piecemeal, proprietarily custom-made for each vehicle,
unmaintainable without factory authorization and training, non-portable and
unmodifiable. For all of these reasons, they're also unreasonably
expensive.
Without a doubt, tinkering with the car's control systems should
not be done without unusual caution, and public-safety legal mechanisms may need
to come into play; not something I'm eager to explore. At minimum, this ought
to go without saying: closed, unverifiable, unreliable, security-challenged or
malware-plagued operating systems need not apply. This also includes any flavor
of Linux that is not scrupulously evaluated, not just for outright flaws or
vulnerabilities, but weakness of any kind that could lead to catastrophic
failure in the presence of less-than-optimal operating conditions. That's a
tall order for any operating system, but one that, with the exception of an
insignificant handful of very expensive proprietary systems, only an open-source
OS can even entertain hope of filling.
But open-source attributes of massive
collaboration, competition, and lowered barriers to entry all lead to the
benefits we've come to expect: feature richness and appropriateness, enhanced
quality, reliability, flexibility, maintainability, security and
portability. Oh, yeah: and price. [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: rdt on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 01:41 PM EDT |
I sent this link to my friends a coupla' weeks ago:
http://www.timekiller.org/carpc/
A Mazda owner added a PC to his car. [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 02:12 PM EDT |
With the XML menus you can add all kinds of extra options that start up your
navigation, wifi sniffer, etc. I had a cool system in my blazer for awhile that
had 3 tv's and a hacked xbox with mythtv on it but someone stole the system one
night in my driveway :(.
Matt
[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 03:31 PM EDT |
I know a guy who turned his van into a wireless hotspot. He parks in front of a
Starbucks; signs up for their expensive t-mobile access; and resells the
bandwidth they offer for a small fraction of the cost to other customers.
Though this might violate their terms-of-use.[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 03:49 PM EDT |
It's difficult balancing a keyboard on the handle bars
plus there is no room to put a screen.
I also work for a firm that makes in vehicle computers.
I think I need a new Job!
[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: lunarship on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 04:19 PM EDT |
We've had an MP3 player in our car for over 2 years now (It's a Dension DH100. You can get
MP3 only, or with a CD changer in the boot. They are utterly cool, and the fact
that you can take the MP3 unit out and use it as a stand alone player is even
cooler. The fact they fit into the standard radio space (and the radio
reception is excellent) helps too.
And no, I am not affiliated to Dension in
any way (although if they'd like to send me a new model for our other car...
no? Ah well, it was worth a try...) [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 04:24 PM EDT |
There are a gajillion posts saying "Oh goody, let's all talk on the phone
while watching DVDs and video games while driving!"
Yes yes, we all agree that's stupid. But there are a couple of excellent
projects you could pull out of this book that have nothing to do with
distracting the driver.
For example, you could add a voice-controlled map database to your car. I've
got a friend who is preparing to move to a new city who could probably use
that.
This is useful tech; if you think it's only good for distracting the driver, you
need to use more creativity.[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: edal on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 04:37 PM EDT |
I seem to remember a story from a while back of some politician who was being
driven around in a high specification car. The computer under the hood crashed
and the only way they could get out was using sledge hammers on the windows.
Now, tell me again about hacking your car <g>.
Ed Almos
Budapest, Hungary[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Juggler on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 05:04 PM EDT |
I get enough BSODs at work thank you very much! [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Sunny Penguin on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 06:56 PM EDT |
GTA needs to be banned from car PCs!
Or TORCs as well.
Seriously;
A fuzz buster with DF capabilities using a wireless internet peer to peer app to
triangulate the source of any radar <g>
Limewire radio, nuff said
Roadsigns broadcasting the speed limit with Bluetooth or Ultra Wide Band.
Automatic roadside assistance showing up with the part you need.
Google maps
Faster drive through service; order from a block away.
Drive by dating; or not ....
Intellegent street lights that turn red when no traffic is approaching; or stay
green during backed up traffic.
---
"Numerical superiority is of no consequence. In battle, victory will go to the
best tactician."
~ George Custer (1839-1876)
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Authored by: cybervegan on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 06:57 PM EDT |
How, exactly does this relate to the SCO cases? Are SCO claiming that this book
infringes their patents? Is their code in the car computers mentioned in the
book?
Every time you post articles like this, PJ, you lose credibility in the eyes of
IT luminaries like Laura DiDio and Rob Enderle - do you really want to give them
more negative material to throw back at you? I suppose at least it's not Salsa
again!
You mention this being a diversion from the mundane (but essential) task of
transcribing all those recently refiled, redacted court documents - have you
thought about the timing? Are you sure this Damien Stolarz isn't a plant,
working undercover for SCO? There *must* be something in those redacted filings
that they don't want you to see, so they've come up with this ridiculous book to
divert your attention. And you *fell* for it!
Don't fall for it, PJ - if you take your eye off the ball, it will turn round
and bite you.
Don't take this personally, but if you keep this up, people like Enderle etc.
will stop reading your site - you might even put off the lawyers and judges.
This is a sad reflection of the recent direction this site has taken. Remember
- no readers = no advertising clicks = no pay for you; your very livelihood is
at stake here!
---
Software source code is a bit like underwear - you only want to show it off in
public if it's clean and tidy. Refusal could be due to embarrassment or shame...[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 07:17 PM EDT |
I don't know... I would not like to have my car record every drive i take by GPS
and store it. Someone might get access to that data, by legal or illegal means,
and use it against me.
Also a car with a cellphone data-connection (UTMS, GSM, for surfing the web)
would be highly trackable by authorities. Most people dont realise this when
they switch on their cellphone, in the car or out of the car.
Ahh, and by the way, i only own a motorcycle. That makes storeing the PC a bit
difficult, but in exchange cooling it may be much easier ;-)
Linux_Inside[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 07:57 PM EDT |
One of the most frequent worries i hear is "hang up and drive". For
the
record, several of the hacks in the book relate to adding bluetooth hands free
mobile connectivity to your car. Similarly, there is a proliferation of devices
(such as Blackberry email) that people currently use while driving. One of the
first features my own company implemented was hands-free reading of your
email, (and thus any RSS feed redirected to that email) so that I could wade
through slashdot headlines and urgent emails while commuting for an hour.
Several of my Car PC's don't have a screen at all - they talk to me, and i
control them by integrating them with an XM-ready head unit.
-damien stolarz[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, August 25 2005 @ 09:52 PM EDT |
What I want to know is, if the computer in the car crashes, does it deploy a
little air-bag?
*POOF!*
<GDARVVF> (Grynning, Ducking, and Running Very Very Fast :)[ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, August 26 2005 @ 10:23 AM EDT |
The car of course already has a computer (well most cars after say 1978...)
See
http://www.diy-efi.org/ for real
car computer hacks.
Smirk [ Reply to This | # ]
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Authored by: alvah on Sunday, August 28 2005 @ 02:43 PM EDT |
What would like to see is a book on how to hack the car itself. Moden cars have
cpus buried in them and those cpus contain the information that simplifies the
repair process. They "might also hold the key(s)" to better fuel
mileage.
[ Reply to This | # ]
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