[Wlug] Anybody want a really cheap computer?

[Andy Stewart]

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kstratton at fastmail.us wrote:
> My understanding is that playing flash movies is still at the alpha
> stage (gnash project http://www.gnu.org/software/gnash).  For that
> reason alone, I would not give something like that to my mother.  Is
> there a movie playing technology that is stable enough for general
> purpose consumption?
> 
> One negative of the decTOP that is not obvious is that the decTop does
> not have an integrated network adaptor (based on a web page), instead it
> comes with a USB to network adaptor.  If anyone has any suggestions,
> please let me know.  I am willing to consider ARM or MIPS boards.
>     decTOP likes:
>       1) low power usage (if I believe web pages, 8W)
>       2) standard memory and hard drive interface
>       3) video interface provided as well as mouse and keyboard
>       4) low price
> I still have to do some reading up on the TCP/IP protocol before
> actually deciding to buy something.

Another thing that I like about the decTOP is that it takes a 12Vdc
input.  That lends itself very well to ham radio related operations,
where most equipment takes 12Vdc (think: car battery).  Also, a good
percentage of the 8W is to run the hard drive.  I can imagine swapping
that out for a flash card and saving lots of power, which would be
important in some applications.

If it weren't for the $40 shipping, I'd probably have bought one of
these by now.  Shipping for four of these was $45 (I think), so if three
other people are interested, I'll split shipping with you.  Just let me
know.

Later,

Andy

- --
Andy Stewart, Founder
Worcester Linux Users' Group (http://www.wlug.org)
Chelmsford Linux Meetup Group (http://linux.meetup.com/393)
Amateur Radio:  KB1OIQ
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