Not at all. The problem is nobody asks any questions. One has to start working with embedded linux to ask questions. The recent thread on linux on cell phones was the only thread on embedded stuff in a long time. Then again it was just general probing for info which is available on google. If somenone is really interested he would have done the bakground, outlined the problem, outlined plausable solutions and asked for comments. I for one would have definetly responded.
Don't be so hard on them :-). The issue is direction. There are a lot of good ideas out there, but they lack direction. It comes upon the more experienced people like you to guide and encourage people with ideas. The onus is also on the new people to not take this mailing list for granted and expect easy ready-to-eat answers all the time. Google is your friend.
If people are interested we could flag off an embedded project on either ARM which is the most popular and easily available processor or Power PC which has great performance, or ye ol X86 (Via C2/3) which has a little of everything + familarity. There are others available too like 683xxxx, Mips, Sh, roll-ur-own Sparc on xilinx / altera. This involves a lot of HARD WORK which our grrreat engineers find wholly unpalatable. Why to rack ones brains when one can cut and past from EFY /Elektor sundry 25 yr old gizmos like wireless network (1 infrared reciever, 1 ir led, 1 555). If u thought it was 802.11 perish the thought, most havent heard of such complex decimals "in the syllabus". And microprocessors=8085 menta kit (it should be labelled dementia kit).
I am not in this space so I may be off here, but I think that the issue here will be availability of the components, multi layered boards, etc. Designing custom hardware and getting a board built will be very time consuming unless you are working in some company or know people providing such service. It may be a better idea to try and acquire some SBC and try to port Linux on it. Then getting development tools like Emulators/BDM/JTAG debuggers is going to be another issue unless you already have something at hand.
The point being, that doing embedded software on custom hardware involves a lot of supporting material and this is the main deterrent to its growth as a hobby.
It is a pity that even with tools like GNU/Linux and mediums like the internet and email our level of education and awareness has become so pathetic. Jeez here i go again like an old foggy.
I am personally interested in robotics. This would involve mechanics, electronics, embeded hardware and software and tonnes of fun. It would also provide self education to those involved / seeking.
I am interested in it too. Unfortunately, the mechanical and the electronic design is way beyond my skills. Software is something that I can do though. I have been thinking of implemented something like http://protowrxs.com/nolen/robotics/LTBot/default.asp or http://www.evolution.com/er1/what_overview.masn using standard hardware rather than creating a custom board for it. Should be simpler. Controller cards are available or can be designed for stepper motor control, etc. Cost of the project components is an issue. The cost of time is an investment in knowledge so it can be discounted at the moment.
Tell me if you want to do something with this.
Regards, Rajesh