[brlug-general] Old PCs

[Chopin Cusachs]

For really old computers that aren't up to more modern OSs, there
is still GeoWorks, reborn and offered for sale to schools, etc.

Looks like it would cruise on a box that wouldn't support any
Linux too big to install from a floppy.

You can check out more at http://www.breadbox.com/  or do
a Google search on GeoWorks.    Only bug I see is that they
seem to want everybody to pay.

I recall attending a shootout, in the late Plio-Pleistocene,
between GeoWorks and Windows 3.1 at HAL-PC in Houston,
with Bill Gates performing admirably, but GeoWorks
outperforming his system.  As far as I can tell, it was far ahead
of its time.  Had read of schools using it on donated older
computers.    If I didn't  have to pay for it, I'd try it on an old box
I was given, of the 486 era.

Choppy

At 07:24 PM 2/2/06, you wrote:
>you raise several issues:
>
>installation--i have several lite os you can test, as i stated in my 
>reply, if you bring an example machine to a meeting we can try them 
>out and possibly help you with installation. i am sure other members 
>can introduce you to other nix they are familiar with.
>
>free vs profit--if you are giving the systems away ms has a program 
>to give away old win os to non-profit groups & schools, if you are 
>selling, they consider copys a form of software piracy (yes i said the p-word)
>
>compatibility--having restored both windows and linux systems on old 
>p1 machines i can tell you that yes, you must warn newbie users that 
>they cannot run most new commercial software or hardware on these 
>old machines, regardless of os. I tell them they must read the 
>system requirments on the box before buying the latest software or 
>external drives etc. whichever os you choose to work with, new users 
>should be given some help with the systems or they may never make 
>full use of them.
>
>free software--given the choice of downloading free software from 
>one repository through synaptic on dsl or having to search about 
>and/or buy old/used dos or win9x compatible software, which is 
>really easier on them?
>dual boot-- all my personal systems are multi boot os, as i want to 
>run as many types of software as possible. a dsl or feather 
>partition on the drive would take very little room on a win9x system 
>and open a whole new world to these users. who knows, you could be 
>giving the next Einstien or Torvalds their first computer equiped 
>with k-stars and crafty chess engine (instead of grand theft auto).
>
>  I am glad to hear you are using these old machines to help people !
>
>Adam J Hogan <ahogan2 at lsu.edu> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>Only problem I have is getting dsl to load on the computer. After about 20
>minutes, all that had loaded was X and the cpu meter. Maybe I could
>install it on a different computer and move the HD.
>
>Other issue: The computers I have will probably be used as an incentive for
>some students in my school. Our computer teacher and I are working on
>getting them set up. She is vaguely familiar with GNU/Linux (I gave her a
>Live CD). Her feeling is that Windows is the way to go because most people
>will buy software and hardware without understanding that it may not be
>supported. These people will probably never use a package manager to
>install programs. They may not even know that it is GNU/Linux. All they
>will know is that their game doesn't work or their new tax software can't
>be installed. Should I have freedom to install the OS I want and place a
>file on the desktop for people to read explaining program acquisition via
>apt, for example, and why most commercial software won't work?
>
>Is freedom of program use a freedom to be valued when users have no
>understanding? The people who will be receiving these computers will most
>likely live in projects and may not know anything about software. Does
>freedom of program use outweigh freedom of modification and distribution if
>people have no clue about these freedoms? Just looking for opinions.
>
>Carl W. wrote:
>
>after testing mepis, feather, puppy, and others i settled on dsl for my
>166mhz 32mb toshiba tecra, you may have seen me dragging it about at sig
>meetings. With the help of members i have learned to configure stuborn
>hardware and load numerous packages for the system. I would be happy to
>help you with it if you need help.
>
>I chose to work with live cd versions for the excellent hardware detection
>they provide, and it's great to just pop a cd in and see how it works
>before commiting to the installation process.
>
>
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