[XCSSA] Geek-Sat Alert: Linux thin client for $20 at AlGen Computer

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

On Friday 05 August 2005 05:58 pm, xcssa-admin@xcssa.org wrote:
> Tweeks -
>
> I've long daydreamed about a volunteer LTSP project for a small library (no
> names please) you may remember. They use x86 HW, Win32 OS, & dial-up
> connections for some public access PC's, and the users are always doing a
> number on the equipment; it's a mess.

Yeah.. is that the one where you were going to set up BeOS Kiosks back in '98 
or so?  I remember...


> Seems like these little guys doing a network boot to a decent LTSP server
> with a broadband connection would be a natural replacement, 

I don't know if I would want tn Netboot over broadband... That's a little to 
much reliance on the connection for my liking.  Maybe having a local LTSP 
boot server might be ok.


> only drawback 
> is the public users need to download files and take with; perhaps USB
> floppies attached to the thin clients or writing D/L'd files to the LTSP
> server's floppy drive or CDRW would be a solution.

Floppies aren't an option on these IBM units.. But I've heard people 
customizing Koppix to run on them... and the keyboard/mouse combo keyboard is 
hooked up, you DO have 1 free USB port.. (albeit USB 1.x :)

If you buy on of these though, just remember to have them do a test boot, and 
play with it for at least 5 minutes before accepting it.  They will want to 
do a "power on, green light" test.  Don't settle for it.  Several Rackers got 
burned this way.


> I would buy (donate) the thin client HW and look to the library to provide
> a box for the LTSP server. With that in mind, tentatively put me down for
> 10-15 of these depending on how good a price you negotiate.

I have not spoke to him yet.. But I was not planning on doing a bulk purchase.  
With the marginal caps on these units, there's too much risk for a large bulk  
purchase methinks.

Tweeks