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I've often been frustrated by what I'll call the "cheap computer paradox." It goes like this: "The people who can least afford a brand new computer are the ones who most need a brand new computer." There are LOTS of old computers out there at prices ranging from cheap to free (if someone else is throwing them away.) Unfortunately, in order to understand what can and can't be done with old equipment, and to make it do what you want, it generally requires a bit of experience and "hacker talent" (old definition of "hacker.") The brand new clueless newbie really needs a brand new computer so that he can be pretty certain that the add-ons and software he buys at Target or Walmart will work, the help desk at the other end of the phone line won't laugh, and the Books he finds are relevant and helpful. Us "experts" who can think of useful things to do with 68k Macs running netBSD collect too D*mn much hardware, and we can't GIVE it away to people who could use it, because, well, those people probably COULDN'T use it. Sigh.
I suggested in another instructable that such machines could be turned into lab equipment. People objected on the principle that they were still generally useful.
SO. The idea is to collet here hints and comments on how to effectively use old computer hardware for normal and less than normal purposes. Assume for the sake of argument that the computer in question has something between a 266MHz PII and a 1GHz PIII, and 128M or less of RAM.
I suggested in another instructable that such machines could be turned into lab equipment. People objected on the principle that they were still generally useful.
SO. The idea is to collet here hints and comments on how to effectively use old computer hardware for normal and less than normal purposes. Assume for the sake of argument that the computer in question has something between a 266MHz PII and a 1GHz PIII, and 128M or less of RAM.
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For example, I do most of my work on a Mac, but there are occasional executables that require an X86. So this ancient Dell (?) (266MHz) was brought online. It's headless, keyboardless, and mostly data-less. It's got debian as an OS, and is accessed via X from the mac, so it can run X-based linux applications,
and DOS programs via DOSEMU, and such like. This is how I first ran EAGLE on my mac (although CadSoft then released a Mac version, making it irrelevant.) I think it's faster and was cheaper than virtual PC, and integrates better into the Mac/X environment.
and DOS programs via DOSEMU, and such like. This is how I first ran EAGLE on my mac (although CadSoft then released a Mac version, making it irrelevant.) I think it's faster and was cheaper than virtual PC, and integrates better into the Mac/X environment.
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- 128m DDR memory, upgraded to about 768M. But a new computer will use DDR2, or FBD memory. So the memory isn't very useful. I've go like whole trays full of assorted obsolete memory technology. Depressing.
- sound blaster SB live audio card; might be useful. I haven't kept up with the relative goodness of onboard sound vs sound cards.
- CDRW drive. Useful, but I wouldn't put together a modern system without some sort of DVD capability, at least for read (in fact, the computer has an add-on DVD drive.) (value: maybe $20)
- 80G EIDE disk. 80G is SMALL by modern standards (thanks to multimedia really taking off. Video: 12GB/hour for standard miniDV resolution. Sigh.) And modern systems tend toward SATA disks. It wouldn't make a bad "live backup" sort of destination, but... (another $20 item.)
- PCI GigE ethernet interface. Still useful. In fact, already moved into a newer system where the GigE speed was more important. OTOH, PCI is getting less common. (value: $15)
- Onboard video, upgraded to 256M PCI card. The card may be useful for adding 3rd and 4th monitors to a modern system, if there are PCI slots, but it's not very State-of-the-art. (value, $40 ?)
The annoying thing is that it's far from a useless system "as is"; it's just feeling its age, and the parts are not useful elsewhere. I'm thinking of trying to turn it into a DVR (all it needs is a tuner card or two and some big disks.)My Mac (Dual PPC 1.25GHz, about the same vintage, but not as "minimal" a system at purchase time) is worse off, since Apple has less of qualms about burning bridges. DDR memory, IDE disks, PCI cards - all useless in a new mac. Even the lovely 23" ADC display will require a $100 "adapter" to use on a new Mac (DVI only.)
Please note that not everyone's computing needs are the same. 80 GB's is massive for me, because I rarely download any type media, and any media that I do download is burned to dvd, and the file is wiped from the pc hd. I really don't understand why everyone using their comps as a storage facility.