Problem set:
I need a way to have a PC (or 2) communicate with each other in an area with no cell service. I'd going to try to put either a simple product order app (or messenger like app if necessary) in place. Ideally I'd like to be able to have a tablet using the order app, and a couple of other apps being used by customers self exploring products, etc. and maybe placing their own orders that would propagate into a queue.
The simplest similar example I can provide is think of a food truck with a front person out amongst the customers with a tablet taking orders for the staff in the truck. The front person needs to be able to get a confirmation (ticketing mechanism), see a status of the order, etc. If I can't find a suitable opensource project to work from, I'll build as simple an AJAXy CRUD mechanism as I can get away with. If everything goes well, and I am successful I'd like to be able to load the app on other devices and have temporary help pitch in taking orders (or the above mentioned self-help order app) communicating via whatever mechanism I put in place.
What I (think I) need:
I need information about hardware and/or software stack to make this stuff happen. Physical proximity from the front people to the back people can vary (sometimes it's 15/20 feet occasionally it can be upstairs downstairs in a building), what are my options given any suggested equipment. I currently have in place a simple router (DLink) set up to allow me to IP print (using a cable from router to printer) from the back end laptop (wifi to router). This part works well. I'm missing gaps of knowledge to know if I should/could build on this router approach and use something software wise on the laptop to play server. I know this concept is doable - but I am struggling with the next step/piece of the puzzle.
I'm sure there are a bunch of questions I haven't provided answers for - other than to say that to start I need to get functional with the lowest cost possible. I've seen the mention (by Nip et al) of the raid boxes in other threads - they seem to have OS layers on top of them including a web station module. Not sure if this is overkill if I can be just running simple software on the main laptop.
Any help would be appreciated... this seems to be something I should be able to piece together - I'm just not able to get their on my own.
Thanks in advance for any brain power you spare on this...
Edit: grammar
I need a way to have a PC (or 2) communicate with each other in an area with no cell service. I'd going to try to put either a simple product order app (or messenger like app if necessary) in place. Ideally I'd like to be able to have a tablet using the order app, and a couple of other apps being used by customers self exploring products, etc. and maybe placing their own orders that would propagate into a queue.
The simplest similar example I can provide is think of a food truck with a front person out amongst the customers with a tablet taking orders for the staff in the truck. The front person needs to be able to get a confirmation (ticketing mechanism), see a status of the order, etc. If I can't find a suitable opensource project to work from, I'll build as simple an AJAXy CRUD mechanism as I can get away with. If everything goes well, and I am successful I'd like to be able to load the app on other devices and have temporary help pitch in taking orders (or the above mentioned self-help order app) communicating via whatever mechanism I put in place.
What I (think I) need:
I need information about hardware and/or software stack to make this stuff happen. Physical proximity from the front people to the back people can vary (sometimes it's 15/20 feet occasionally it can be upstairs downstairs in a building), what are my options given any suggested equipment. I currently have in place a simple router (DLink) set up to allow me to IP print (using a cable from router to printer) from the back end laptop (wifi to router). This part works well. I'm missing gaps of knowledge to know if I should/could build on this router approach and use something software wise on the laptop to play server. I know this concept is doable - but I am struggling with the next step/piece of the puzzle.
I'm sure there are a bunch of questions I haven't provided answers for - other than to say that to start I need to get functional with the lowest cost possible. I've seen the mention (by Nip et al) of the raid boxes in other threads - they seem to have OS layers on top of them including a web station module. Not sure if this is overkill if I can be just running simple software on the main laptop.
Any help would be appreciated... this seems to be something I should be able to piece together - I'm just not able to get their on my own.
Thanks in advance for any brain power you spare on this...
Edit: grammar