Hardware Interface Spec

[paulharter]

Work in progress on a spec for the physical integration of computing hardware into desks

https://github.com/opendesk/smartdesk/blob/master/specs/hardware_interface_spec.md

Something has to sit between our desks any computing hardware we use. We could leave this interface completely unspecified, as it isn't really very hard, but it might be useful to mandate something.

At the largest scale we could design a common component that can be built into any desk, such as the cable tray cover, that is a visible, integral part of the desk.

We could come up an enclosure that would be hidden but could be added to any desk.

With or without a fixed, enclosing object or surface we could specify a methodology for attaching hardware to furniture. Many possibilities including: cutting templates, mounting templates, pcbs standoffs, adopting an existing format. I like the idea of using Lego for added deconstructibility.

We need to accommodate a variety of processing hardware: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Seeed etc. Do we specify a minimum size of space? Do we allow for bigger puters like the Intel nuc or Mac mini? Probably if we want to do decent data storage and embedded game servers (paul).

Power! Consideration needs to be given to running cables and accommodating transformers. Powered usb hub?