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RSA Implementation - A Matter of Trust
Startec Innovations • 12/17/2020 at 23:00 • 0 comments

We've just recently released a version that implements RSA encryption.

What is RSA you might ask?

In a very basic (and over-simplified) way of putting it, RSA is an encryption scheme requiring two keys: one key, called the public key, is released to the devices and is used to encrypt the information; on the other hand, the other key called the private key is used to decrypt the information. If you want to learn more, there's a great video you can check out here.

This means that even if we release a public key for everyone to use for encryption, only the person with the private key will be able to effectively have access to everybody's data. This isn't just an issue of data protection, it also becomes a question of trust.

Who do we trust with our information? Are we comfortable that only a certain authority or agency will have a monopoly on the data we create, let alone data about Us?

These are important questions to ponder, primarily because it's central to this system. Whether you're using this as a requirement to get into your grocery store, or you're on the other end, trying to wrap around these question when you're implementing this system, trust is a tricky issue to navigate, especially if one party has a bigger bargaining chip.

However way you want to address these concerns, please remember that trust can be as much as about gains versus losses as it is about empathy and understanding. Rather than concerning ourselves with defensively covering for our own, what if we start thinking about getting to know the other side of the story, considering things at another person's point of view?

Doing so can open a lot of doors in fully comprehending issues in context, and we can solve problems in a much lighter and more effective means, since we're going to right to the source itself. People who use our products or systems are the best people to tell us about their experience, and the subsequent problems they might encounter.

Please note however that we're not talking about heaps of feedback forms and the blind block of the suggestions box. We're talking about having conversations. Sometimes, a light interview with key people or a nice chat with acquaintances who might've happened to use our system is far more effective way in understanding the situation. Trust is not just about a one-way relation, it's building a rapport. When you start thinking this way, people will catch on and notice.

This way will take a lot more time and effort, but we believe it's a much better alternative, a more human approach. Our hope is that when you get to implement this system, take our advice and go on with an empathetic disposition. We thought it important to let your read this first, before we give full instructions on how this system can be implemented in the next log.
System Ready for Pre-release
Startec Innovations • 12/16/2020 at 07:51 • 0 comments

The system's finally ready for a pre-release. What is it for you ask?
We at Startec Innovations believe in a Human-centered Approach to design. We wouldn't want to release something that isn't fit for function, or that wouldn't really benefit our target audience.
Despite this however, we'd want people to be able to use the technology as soon as possible. Our philosophy revolves around increasing access, in order to increase engagement to our tech-base, from developers, tinkerers, hobbyists and entrepreneurs.
The more people, the more ideas. The more perspectives the richer, or more contextual the conversations - the richer the design iterations.
We firmly believe diversity is a strength.

Gather materials

First things first, get your hands on what we need for this project. Project Components are listed in the components section, but if you're based in the Philippines, a Bill of Materials of our purchases for this project is provided in the files section.

The total estimated cost for a minimum viable product is around ₱7,100, which will be kind of a hefty price tag for some of you. We're currently looking for alternative parts, but in the meantime, feel free to find cheaper ones on your own. However, do take our advice on the Raspberry Pi board, adapter and SD card to avoid any trouble with the software.

To summarize, here is what we need:

A 2D (or QR) Barcode Scanner with keypress-event-fired input
A Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (a Raspberry Pi 4 or Zero W will also work)
A 3A AC/DC 5V Power Supply for the Raspberry Pi
An HDMI LCD for the Raspberry Pi with touch capabilities
A 32 GB Micro SD Card (preferably Class 10 for fast file transfer speeds)

To proceed with the next steps, you'll need:

A good internet connection (with at least 5 GB download cap) via WiFi. Mobile Hotspot will also work.
A computer running Windows (this tutorial was done on a Windows Machine)
A Keyboard
A Micro SD Card reader (USB or SD Card slot adapter)
A smartphone with access to the internet for testing (and use)

Download a Raspberry Pi Image

Think of the Raspberry Pi as a tiny computer. We'll need to install an Operating System to be able to use it. To do so, we'll need to download an operating system.

To do so, first download the Raspberry Pi OS Imager here. Install the software after it finishes.

Then, you can follow the instructions in this video. The computer in the video may look weird for some of you because its a Macbook. The instructions in the video will also work for Windows.

NOTE: This software will try to download the image (which is approximately 2.4 GB in size). Writing to your SD card will also take time depending on your computer's processor speed and memory (RAM) size.

Connect Peripherals and Connect to Wifi

If you saw "Write Successful," it means you've successfully installed the OS!

To be able to access and type into your Raspberry Pi, we'll need to add a screen and a keyboard. If you ordered the LCD we have, you can follow the steps below:

1. Eject and reinsert your SD card to your computer. Then, go to This PC > boot

2. Find a file inside called config.txt. Open it with Notepad or another text-editing software

3. Copy-paste the following at the end:

max_usb_current=1
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=87
hdmi_cvt 800 480 60 6 0 0 0
hdmi_drive=1

4. After saving, eject your card, and place the Micro SD into the Raspberry Pi. The slot for the Raspberry Pi 3 and 4 should be at the back.

5. Turn on the back light switch at the back of your LCD. Then connect the touch port to any USB port on your Raspberry Pi. Also connect the HDMI port to your Pi.

6. Now plug in your Raspberry Pi to power it on!

STARTEC REGISTRO

Description

Details

Notable Features

Qr Code Generation

Customer Data Protection

An all-new Print Feature!

Pending

Button Control

Important Info

License and Use

Files