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12-29-2007, 11:22 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2000 Location: Canada! | | | Should I Build My Own Linux Box?
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I have a couple older computers sitting around that aren't doing much anything. I'm wondering if it would be possible/smart for me to wipe them and install some sort of Linux. Just so I can see how it works. The computers I am talking about are currently of absolutely no use to me - I'm not talking my main machine out of service or anything.
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12-29-2007, 12:53 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jacksonville and Pensacola, FL | | | If you're not using them for anything, go for it! I might do the same on a computer that's just sitting in my bedroom.
I'm also thinking it might be wise to build a Linux machine for college, if I get into film school. That way, I can get editing software for free, and I won't have to use a Mac.
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Originally Posted by Tsal  It be a sad world where even girls have girls, yet you have none :D | The Silver Age |
12-29-2007, 01:53 PM
| | | | i have also been thinking about buying some sort of low end system and experimenting with linux. Never used so should be fun. |
12-29-2007, 02:10 PM
| | Not Actually Knighted... Yet! | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio | | | Do it already.
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12-29-2007, 04:05 PM
| | | | The best thing you can do with an old system is use it as core of a network. If you've got a few machines and/or a laptop, put linux (for freeBSD) on an old slow machine, and hook your disks and printer up to it. Then you can access the files and print from any machine on the network.
My wife and I both have Mac laptops, but the FreeBSD Server holds the big audio collection so we can access all the music when one of our laptops is off. Simlarly we don't have to plug in to print.
Ian |
12-29-2007, 04:08 PM
| | Not Actually Knighted... Yet! | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio | | Quote:
Originally Posted by IanStephenson The best thing you can do with an old system is use it as core of a network. If you've got a few machines and/or a laptop, put linux (for freeBSD) on an old slow machine, and hook your disks and printer up to it. Then you can access the files and print from any machine on the network.
My wife and I both have Mac laptops, but the FreeBSD Server holds the big audio collection so we can access all the music when one of our laptops is off. Simlarly we don't have to plug in to print.
Ian | funny, I am working on doing just that
except I am trying to figure out how to set up a VPN (virtual private network) so I can access the files from anywhere. one problem I am having is the old computer's video card is shot...
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Balls.
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12-29-2007, 04:15 PM
| | | | Once you've got your server set up, you need to get a Roku SoundBridge (rokulabs.com). Run mt-daapd on the server, and you can access your iTunes library from this little tube thing that sits on top of the hifi... I got the first one a couple of years ago, and the CD player was consigned to storage. Saved a LOT of space in the lounge. For once I was able to get a gadget and receive FULL support from my wife.
Ian |
12-29-2007, 06:29 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: hudson valley | | | That is so cool.
Not looking for an IT lession but a linux server is compatible with mac? |
12-29-2007, 11:51 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Indianapolis, IN | | | If you are wanting to learn Linux, then yeah, why not??
Just from my own experience though, I've done this several times and the Linux computers ended up collecting dust.. Not that I dont like Linux.. Its just all my stuff I run is on Windows..
Check out Ubuntu.. Pretty easy to run version of Linux |
12-30-2007, 04:08 AM
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Originally Posted by richnota That is so cool.
Not looking for an IT lession but a linux server is compatible with mac? | In a lot of ways.
Linux/Unix can share files via NFS (Unix), SMB(Windows) and AppleTalk(old Mac), while Mac can access files using all of those so you actually have quite a choice (I'd recommend NFS for a desktop, but SMB for a laptop which uses the netork only occasionaly).
Simlary you can share/use printers using CUPS(Unix/Mac) or SMB(Windows).
Turn on all these things and you've got a nice coomon place which you can access from any machine.
You can run programs on the linux box from the Mac(or PC) usign telnet or ssh, and display the results back to the mac using X.app.
Ian |
12-30-2007, 10:55 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rochelle, Illinois | | | I've got an old machine that I run Linux on just for the learning value of it. I'm not competent enough to run anything useful on it yet but, with spare computers piling up in people's houses, it seems like the perfect project for the do-it-your-selfer (and at "free", the price is right).
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12-30-2007, 12:50 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Somerset, England | | Quote:
Originally Posted by richnota That is so cool.
Not looking for an IT lession but a linux server is compatible with mac? | Sure, the internet practically runs on Linux (and BSD). | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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