[Sheflug] Bluetooth to RS232

["Chris Johnson" <chris [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A little off topic but I'm looking at trying to specify a cheaper
interactive whiteboard solution for schools to use with Linux.  There are
several problems:

1) Few IWBs support Linux natively
2) Little software to allow flip chart style presentations (which is
currently one of the most popular methods of using them)
3) Most IWBs connect to the PC via a wire which makes them awkward to set up
as you need wire between the PC and the projector and another between the PC
and the board so there is lots of trip hazard potential.
4) IWBs are quite expensive
5) IWBs are not easily portable meaning their use is usually restricted to
just one classroom

Solutions
1) Use alternatives eg Graphics tablets that are supported or write drivers
2) I know someone that may be working on the software side of things, open
office seems to work quite well (see separate post).
3) Replace serial cable link with a bluetooth one
4) Use graphics tablets or mimio devices (www.mimio.com) which are much
cheaper (sub £50 and sub £170 respectively)
5) graphics tablets and mimios are much more portable

The bit I'm stuck on is the wireless link between the PC and the input
device (tablet/mimio).
You can buy USB bluetooth dongles for about £15-£30 so the PC end looks
quite cheap but at the other end (serial to bluetooth) the devices all seem
to be of the order of £150

http://www.blueunplugged.com/shop/detail.asp?productGroupID=177&deptID=
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=BTP_RS232
etc

Has anybody else done anything similar or got any ideas where to look?

Thanks


Chris Johnson
(No not that one, the other one!)
(running SUSE 8.2, 512MB PIII 600 (ish))

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