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In case you've never heard of OpenPogo

Having seen the (preliminary) results of Peter Redmer's survey - Have you used OpenPogo? - I think it's about time the concept is laid out in non-geeky terms.

The Pogoplug is a tiny computer - it's got a place to hook up the router and a USB port. It doesn't really NEED any other connections, but it is a computer. It works just the same as a regular computer - you plug in a hard drive, it sees it and lets you access files. It connects to the Internet (and to my.pogoplug.com) just as any other computer would. That alone is what makes Pogoplug great - a hard drive on the Internet. It's almost like having a premium file-hosting account - just without subscription fees or size limits.

But, why doesn't the Pogoplug do EVERYTHING? Why is there no media server? What about a web server? It would be great to have a torrent downloader, etc. The number one statement I've heard from would-be Pogoplug buyers: "I would buy one if it had...."

That's where OpenPogo comes in. OpenPogo is a simple, clear, and easy way to install several popular programs on your Pogoplug, just as you would on a regular computer. Sure, you're not going to be able to install iTunes or Microsoft Office, but can install many applications for free - extending your Pogoplug's functionality.

See the guides and get started at OpenPogo.com.

The best part might be that using OpenPogo does NOT void your warranty - all of the guides have been tested (and OpenPogo installs applications to a special place on the Pogoplug, so the applications won't break the plug). There have been no reports of broken Pogoplugs yet. However, users should always be careful to follow the guides exactly and to the letter to avoid any issues. Also, stay tuned for a geekier, more in-depth look at OpenPogo soon!

Read More In: PogoPlug Development

Tags : applicationsextendinstallopenpogoserver

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Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-5 of 5 | Latest Comment

July 15, 2009 12:29 PM

Wouldn't it be easier to just get a cheap clearance 7" netbook for us$150 or so, and that way you have wireless, keyboard, battery backup, multiple USB, standard x86 cpu, choice of OS, etc.? Still with fairly low power consumption, although somewhat larger size.

Or even a Fit-PC. A little more expensive than a PogoPlug, but a full, low power consumption computer that can run a standard OS, has a hard drive and can have video & keyboards plugged in when needed. (Even the older Fit-PC on clearence is more expensive, but moer versitle.)

Or....

It just seems like OpenPogo is trying to jump through hoops to make PogoPlug do things that would be much easier to do on some unltra cheap netbook or tiny pc.

I understand that this kind of hacking can be fun. To do things not normally possible can definetly be fun. "Just because I can" kind of thing. I've done things like that too in my younger years. (Now I'm old enough to just want things to work while I do more interesting things.)

It just seems like a waste of effort for the non-geek.

I realize some of the problem lies with the PogoPlug itself. By its very nature its not as versitile as an x86 generic solution (like a cheap netbook). Maybe it would have been better if they had taken an Atom or Geode or such and built the plug around it. Or package their software side of things with some existing ultra-small PC. (But that's not relevant here.)

The point is, I don't think your project is going to appeal to many non-geek / hackers. The average user isn't going to want to jump through that many hoops to get around limitations in the PogoPlug. They'd much rather a nice packaged solution.

Maybe if you can talk PogoPlug to including some of these packages with the product right out of the box (or with its first autoupdate)....

July 15, 2009 7:44 PM

Go monitor some other site if you don't want to be part of the pogoplug. I'm sure you can find a forum somewhere that has your view point...

July 15, 2009 9:17 PM updated: July 15, 2009 9:20 PM

\bilgoulnic said:Maybe if you can talk PogoPlug to including some of these packages with the product right outof the box (or with its first autoupdate)....

Pogoplug is a new product that does a fine job of sharing local storage over the internet with a minimal setup that is comfortable for a non-geek. It uses very little power so it can be available 24/7 without hurting your budget. Does it do everything that I would like? No, I would like a printer server. Others have different needs. 

There is a lot of unused space on the Pogoplug. I applaud Openpogo for showing what the Pogoplug can do with that space in addition to sharing storage over the internet. The way I see it Openpogo is providing free focus group material for Pogoplug. It will be very difficult for Pogoplug to say that something can't be done if Openpogo has already done it.

For the geeks/hackers out there Openpogo provides a way to get the features they want now. For Pogoplug it provides incentives and maybe a priority list for adding value and hence more non-geek customers.

One final thought, we need an OpenPogo like site to explore and expand the web/API features. That is an area that, to date, has only had one thread but has the potential to add a lot of new functionality.

Ian

PS, I am in no way affiliated with either OpenPogo or Pogoplug

July 15, 2009 10:02 PM

Hmm, that web API thing begs the question: Linux client with GUI, Cloud Engines? Or is this something to tackle. :P

July 16, 2009 9:50 PM

me not you said: Go monitor some other site if you don't want to be part of the pogoplug. I'm sure you can find a forum somewhere that has your view point...

I don't see anywhere in that post that he does not want to be a part of Pogoplug. He is just posting his opinion on OpenPogo. It does not mean he doesn't like the Pogoplug device.

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Discussion:    Add a Comment | Back to Top | Comments 1-5 of 5 | Latest Comment

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