Bootcamp 497: Ten uses for an old PC, part 2
,----[ Quote ]
| If you can't bear to dismantle your old PC, and it is still in good working
| order but no longer able to keep up with recent Windows applications you can
| continue to use it, have some fun and learn a few new tricks, by reformatting
| the drive and installing Linux.
|
| Linux is a free 'Open Source' operating system that has been popular with
| enthusiasts for years, but until fairly recently it required a degree of
| knowledge in order to use it. Within the last five years, though, newer
| versions or 'distributions' of Linux have come along that look, work and are
| as easy to use as Windows. With a Linux PC you can surf the web send and
| receive emails, play games, print documents and do pretty well all of the
| things you do with Windows. Most distributions come bundled with a good
| assortment of programs and a fully featured office suite that includes a
| powerful Word-compatible word processor, Excel compatible spreadsheet,
| presentation and database software.
|
| As an added bonus Linux flies along, even on ancient Windows 98 PCs. It is
| virtually immune to viruses and its stability and reliability are legendary.
| There are hundreds of distributions to chose from, the best known and most
| Windows-like being Linspire, Mandriva, Ubuntu and Fedora, there are almost
| too many in fact, but you will find an easy to follow guide to installing
| Linux in Boot Camp 446, and look out for a new Boot Camp series on the
| simplest route to Linux yet, starting in a couple of weeks.
`----
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=/connected/2007/10/23/ecrboot22.xml
Related:
How to keep your old PC alive [with Linux]
,----[ Gist ]
| Firewall – Proxy server
| Development server
| Storage Server
| Media Station
| P2P Download Machine
| Small Workstation
| Thin Client
| Cluster
`----
http://www.pramnos.com/story69-2331.html
Stop! Don't trash those old PCs
,----[ Quote ]
| Interestingly enough, there is another operating system that most people are
| not familiar with called Linux. Linux (and its earlier version UNIX) have
| been around for a long time helping us place phones calls and providing
| access to the Internet. Linux, up until this point, has been mostly behind
| the scenes just doing its job and doing it well. You can get started with
| Linux at www.linux.org.
`----
http://www.reporter-times.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=91254&format=html
Linux For An Old Laptop
,----[ Quote ]
| I have such a machine (Pentium 266 MMX, 80 MB RAM, 4 GB HD) which still
| sports a "Designed for Windows 95" sticker.
`----
http://www.pcdailytips.com/2007/07/23/linux-for-an-old-laptop/
Turn your computer into a media center PC with GeeXBoX 1.1
,----[ Quote ]
| GeeXBoX 1.1 is a mere 8.9MB ISO download. Its hardware requirements are
| minimal -- a Pentium II 400MHz processor and 64MB of RAM are enough to power
| GeeXBoX -- and of course you'll need a CD/DVD drive to play your media.
`----
http://www.linux.com/feature/118210
Performance Duel: Koolu 500 MHz vs. Pentium III 666 MHz
,----[ Quote ]
| We also use Ubuntu in our Monastery office. If you read the minimal
| specifications for Ubuntu Fiesty Fawn, it states you need at least a 500 MHz
| machine. We are interested in using computers that are low power, so a
| modern, general-purpose Operating System that has such modest requirements
| suits us fine, as it will run on older, less power-hungry computers.
`----
http://ca.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-RkGSoVA1brWtXrVH9Gr5CzgVujwwGg--?cq=1&p=61
The Year Of The Small Distro
,----[ Quote ]
| 2007 may well be the year of the small distro.
`----
http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/blog/2007/08/the_year_of_the_small_distro.html
ReviewLinux.Com: First Look at MEPIS AntiX 7.0 Beta 2
,----[ Quote ]
| I am always looking for a faster Linux OS that just does the basics. I want a
| low-overhead Linux distro that can run on almost any machine be it a Pentium
| 2 to a Pentium 4. MEPIS AntiX 7.0 Beta 2 might just be the one. Check out my
| short little review about this Linux distro plus my flash video showing off
| this fast and lightweight Linux OS.
`----
http://www.reviewlinux.com/index.php?m=show&id=6903
10 ways Linux can breath life into your old PCs
,----[ Gist ]
| # MythTV
|
| # Firewall
|
| # Photo Frame
|
| # CNC Controller
|
| # Classic Game Console
|
| # Home Server
|
| # Kitchen Computer
|
| # Mp3 JukeBox
|
| # Webcam Feed
|
| # Asterisk Home PBX
|
`----
http://icanhaslinux.com/2007/09/07/10-ways-linux-can-breath-life-into-your-old-pcs/
Put your old machine to good use
,----[ Quote ]
| PCLinuxOS, which, along with Kubuntu and Ubuntu is one of the best
| Linux distributions around, only requires an old Pentium II (!) to
| run nicely. The entire cost of Linux is the cost of the blank disk
| you'll need to burn yourself a copy, so it's worth it to play around.
| There's a good chance you'll like what you see.
`----
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2007-05-25-old-machine_N.htm?csp=34
http://tinyurl.com/292b73
How To Revive An Old PC With Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| Sure, it could go to the landfill, or you might be able to get a
| tax deduction from donating it to a local school. Or, using a
| Linux-based operating system, you could turn it into a
| functional desktop, browser, and e-mail client, and put it
| back to work.
`----
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198500289
How to revive an old PC
,----[ Quote ]
| For better performance, most LiveCD distros can be installed onto a hard
| disk, but the process isn't as easy as it is with a conventional distro.
| There's still some hope, though. Currently the Ubuntu Lite project is working
| on a special customised release of Ubuntu for very low-end PCs. Similarly,
| the RULE Project offers a way to install current and recent releases of Red
| Hat's Fedora on low-end machines.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=40532
How to revitalize mature pentiums
,----[ Quote ]
| Hardware that is obsolete in Windows World is not obsolete in the real
| world!
`----
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/free_computing
Build This Cheap But Effective Firewall
,----[ Quote ]
| Fight the bad guys without busting your budget. Here's all you'll
| need to create a low-cost, super-secure firewall using
| Linux-based freeware and an old PC.
`----
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=197001131&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_All
http://tinyurl.com/ypqfrz
Expert shares secrets to saving thousands with K12LTSP
,----[ Quote ]
| The K12 Linux Terminal Server Project (K12LTSP) is a thin client
| distribution designed for use in schools.
|
| [...]
|
| Arkiletian estimates that his lab cost only $4,000 to set up --
| about a tenth the cost of buying replacement workstations.
`----
http://enterprise.linux.com/article.pl?sid=07/01/16/1717243&tid=23&tid=46
Column: Linux lets you avoid upgrading computer
,----[ Quote ]
| Combine the alternative of using a Linux desktop with being able
| to use older computers often donated by Fortune 500 companies when
| they cycle to new systems every three to four years and you start
| to have a financially compelling argument for not having the same
| technology as everyone else.
|
| If you have a very large network, the finance picture needs to take
| into account the fact that your technicians would need to be familiar
| with another technology, but for smaller nonprofits and schools
| systems, I would seriously consider this desktop platform.
`----
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070108/NEWS01/701080307
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