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

[xcssa@xcssa.org]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: xcssa-admin@xcssa.org [mailto:xcssa-admin@xcssa.org]
> Sent: Saturday, August 06, 2005 11:59 AM
> To: xcssa@xcssa.org
> Cc: xcssa-admin@xcssa.org
> Subject: Re: [XCSSA] Geek-Sat Alert: Linux thin client for $20 at AlGen
> Computer
> 
> 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...
> 
Not me man, must have been someone else.
> 
> > 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.
> 
Sorry, should have used more words to explain. Current equipment is seven
Windows boxes, each doing dial-up Internet access. My solution would be 7-10
NetVista 2200 thin clients connected via Ethernet to a LOCAL LTSP server in
the same building. The broadband connection to THE SERVER is their link to
the outside world.
> 
> > 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 :)

I think a method of writing their files to THE SERVER floppy or CDRW and
then picking them up from the Library Help Desk is the way to go.

> 
> 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.

I'll go hand pick ONE today to play with, and talk about a better rate on a
larger number. May approach him about donating them in return for a
permanent "Equipment donated by (shop at) AllGen" displayed at the library.

Here's a link to an IBM red book about 'IBM Network Station Manager V2R1',
which if you haven't found out yet, is a chunk of server based code that
allows one to exercise configuration control over a whole army of IBM Net
Stations from a central location. Don't know if the code is available or
useable (may by AS400, AIX, or other, BUT the red book has tons of tech info
on the entire Net Station family (all three (4 ?) series, 100, 300, 1000,
2200, 2800)

http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redpieces/abstracts/sg245844.html 


Later dood,

Matt Grooms