I'm a major novice with no specific expertise in programming or computer assembly. I can usually pick up programming/markup/scripting languages when there is a specific task I'm trying to accomplish and I spend most of my time playing around with java. My interest in learning how to construct a wearable stems out of my general frustration with the lack of any one PDA/pocket computer that meets my needs. I'm looking to make a PDA that runs java, has datebook, contact management, voice-notes, can play mp3 files, and functions as cellular phone. I just want a simple, monochrome-LCD, touch sensitive screen about the size of a credit card and to input via voice and touchscreen. So given my admitted niavete here is my guess at what I need: 1. Processor (can you run java on a strong arm?) 2. Embedded Java on Rom 3. Flash ram 4. PMCIA hard drive 5. Cellular circuitry 6. Touchscreen 7. Some dedicated voice recognition chip. Now here's my questions: 1. Am I a complete idiot for thinking that I could possibly eventually acquire enough skills as a novice to build something like this, just by tinkering and picking up skills as I go? Phrased another way- Do I need an electrical engineering degree to do this? 2. Do all these components exist in a form available for the hobbiest to take off the shelf and wire together, write a few drivers, and viola! have a duck-taped together prototype. 3. Is there any good ref books I should check out? Something like "An idiots guide to building star-trek type techno-gadgets" or "How to build a wearable voice-driven, java computer?" -- Bill Nordstrom University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 5323 Harry Hines Blvd. Dallas, TX 75235-9039 W:214-648-9227 Fax: 214-648-8694 emailCooltalk: 129.112.20.190
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