Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu (long post!)
Donald
donmila at shaw.ca
Sat Jun 30 09:49:48 UTC 2007
Bob Chandler wrote:
>
>> I was wondering if your screaming-streaming audio system also has an
>> internet connection and if so how troublesome it was to get it working?
>>
>
> Of course! I'm on a router and so getting it talking to the net is just
> a matter of telling Xubuntu to use DHCP. Routers are cheap and make
> life very simple when doing home networking...just "plug and play".
>
>
>> I have a similar system, an old IBM Aptiva, same specs, that I would like to
>> find some use for as it runs fine. I normally have win98 on it but now that
>> it is no longer supported by MS I wanted to switch it to linux, perhaps use
>> it as a print/file server. I tried this once before and it ran like
>> mollasses - slow!! I thought of DSL and maybe I should try it again but I
>> have been using 'buntu and debian on my lap/desktops for a couple of years
>> so I would like to stick with what I (think) I know.
>>
>
> Xubuntu should work fine on a machine of this vintage. You apparently
> can get it to work down to 64 MB RAM although I would think it would run
> pretty slow with that little RAM. Xubuntu.org recommends that you use
> the "alternate install" CD if your machine has less than 128 MB RAM. I
> used the "alternate install" even though my machine has 192 MB
> RAM...just to be on the safe side.
>
> There's also a version of Ubuntu that uses an even "lighter weight"
> GUI...namely "Fluxbuntu". As the name implies it uses the even lighter
> weight "Fluxbox" GUI. Although Fluxbuntu isn't an "official" part of
> the Ubuntu project (Xubuntu is).
>
> The Gnome and KDE (used by "Kubuntu") desktops both chew up a fair
> degree of your computer's resources. If you use a lighter weight
> desktop...which might not have quite as many "bells and whistles" you
> can run Linux on an older machine with good results.
>
>
>
>> I'm also interested in your radio transmitter thingy. I live in the boonies
>> with a large backyard and I would love to be able to stream some tunes out
>> to the fire pit.
>>
>
> There are quite alot of "micro-FM transmitters" on the market these
> days. Most of them are designed to be powered from a car cigarette
> lighter jack. The idea being that you can listen to the contents of
> your portable audio player on your car radio. Most run in the $40-60
> range.
>
> However the unit that I have, can be powered from a pair of AAA
> batteries. It puts out maybe 30 milliwatts. I paid about $40 for it a
> couple of years ago and bought it in one of those stores that sells the
> kind of stuff you see offered for sale on late night infomercials.
>
> It will use any audio "source" (computer soundcard output jack, portable
> CD or audio player etc.) and transmit it on FM radio.
>
> With a pair of alkaline batteries, my unit will run for about 3-4 days
> continuously. Even with a pair of cheap carbon-zinc batteries it'll
> run for a whole day!
>
> The unit I have will transmit on any FM radio channel between 87 and 97
> MHz. It doesn't cover the "entire" FM radio band ...which in Canada and
> the U.S. runs from 88.1 to 107.9 MHz. with 200 KHz. channel spacing
> (i.e. 88.1, 88.3, 88.5 etc.)
>
> So it's simply a matter of finding an "empty" FM radio channel and using
> it. In fact transmitting on an "occupied" FM radio channel is highly
> illegal (and very inconsiderate!).
>
> These devices are legal unlicensed low power radio transmitters under
> the Industry Canada RSS210 rules (similar to the FCC Part 15 rules).
> Basically you can use them as long as you don't interfere with a
> licensed radio service. If anyone complains, you have to turn it off.
> If a licensed radio service interferes with you, you have to accept the
> interference.
>
> In a major built-up area with lots of radio stations, finding an "empty"
> FM radio channel can take a little homework. You also want to make
> sure that the channel you choose to use is 400 KHz. (two radio channels)
> away from any other local (or semi-local) radio station. This is so
> that you minimize the inteference you get from radio stations above and
> below the channel you've decided to use when you listen on an FM radio
> receiver.
>
> Since I'm in Toronto, I chose 90.7 MHz. CJRT "Jazz-FM" makes use of
> 91.1 MHz. and Radio Canada's "Espace Musique" service uses 90.3 MHz. So
> 90.7 is right in between the two of them.
>
> Even so, on certain really low quality FM receivers, I still get some
> "slop" from the radio stations above and below 90.7 MHz. Not all FM
> radio receivers are made the same! In fact, many AM and FM radio
> receivers these days are really crappy! They sometimes will have poor
> sensitivity...and even more important in crowded radio bands...poor
> selectivity. Also in large urban areas like Toronto, cheap FM radios
> often suffer from "front-end overload"...where images of strong local
> radio stations will appear all over the dial.
>
> Just keep in mind that with 30 milliwatts, the signal you are putting
> out is not going to be as strong as the local 50,000 watt powerhouse
> radio station unless your radio is just a few feet from the transmitter.
>
> If you're out in the backyard, the signal you'll receive on your
> portable FM radio will be similar to the signal you'd get from an "out
> of town" FM radio station. The further your radio receiver is away
> from the transmitter, the weaker the signal will be. You might have to
> pop-up the "whip" antenna on the FM radio.
>
> Also, if you can, place your micro-transmitter as high as possible for
> maximum range...on the second floor of a house if possible. If you're
> trying to get the signal out to a large back yard, place it in a window
> facing the backyard or as close to it as possible.
>
> The audio quality you hear on your radio is only going to be as good as
> the original source material. Don't put your computer's (or other
> device's) volume up full-blast because the audio will usually distort.
>
> Some internet radio audio streams aren't that great to begin with. A 16
> kbps audio stream is going to sound like a 16 kbps audio stream! The
> higher the bit rate is of the audio stream, the better it's going to
> sound!
>
> One caveat on purchasing these micro-transmitters is that there are a
> number of them on the market that transmit on only three or four "fixed"
> FM radio channels. Avoid these! Why? For the reasons mentioned above!
> The "fixed" channels might be already occupied by a radio station. Or,
> they might be "too close" to existing radio stations.
>
> For example "88.1" is often used by these "fixed channel" transmitters.
> Here in Toronto, 88.1 is "occupied" by Ryerson University's CKLN-FM.,
> 88.3 is "too close" to CKLN, and 88.5 is occupied by semi-local "Foxy
> 88.5" in Newmarket.
>
> You'll want a transmitter that covers the "entire" 88.1-107.9 MHz. band
> if possible (mine covers half of it...but hey...it was cheap!) so you
> can best choose what frequency to park it on.
>
> The FM transmitter at the link below is probably the one that I've seen
> that has the best reviews. It's made by a company called C Crane in
> the U.S. It sells for about $70 U.S. ...a bit more expensive than most
> of the transmitters on the market.
>
> It covers the "entire" FM radio band, has the advantage of you being
> able to run it from AC as well as a pair of AAA batteries and has an
> external antenna which my guess is would help put out a stronger signal.
> The one I have doesn't have an external antenna.
>
> You'll have to order it online as I don't know of anyone in Canada that
> sells it. I'm going to buy one when I get a chance.
>
> http://www.ccrane.com/radios/fm-transmitters/fm-transmitter.aspx
>
> The bottom line is that having a micro-FM transmitter has unglued me
> from the computer. On the weekends I frequently play the "RFI Musique"
> audio stream from France while doing chores around the house. If you
> like "World Music" it's great! You never know what they're going to
> play...African, Brazilian, Cuban, reggae, Bollywood, North American and
> European pop etc. I also "time shift" CBC Radio by listening to shows
> like "As It Happens" in another time zone.
>
> A $40 transmitter and a junked Pentium II running Xubuntu makes it all
> possible!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Bob
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> Can you tell me more?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> And have a wonderful Canada Day Weekend!!
>>
>> Wolf in Sauble Beach, ON
>>
>>
>> ~~~~~~~~~
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
>> [mailto:ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Bob Chandler
>> Sent: June 29, 2007 3:41 PM
>> To: ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>> Subject: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
>>
>>
>> I have found a great use for an old Pentium II 450 MHz. machine with 192 MB
>> RAM, and a small 9 GB hard drive.
>>
>> I installed "Xubuntu"...it's Ubuntu but with the lightweight and less
>> resource-hungry XFCE desktop. The applications that come with Xubuntu
>> tend to be a bit more "lightweight" than Ubuntu or Kubuntu, but you have
>> access to all of the same package management tools that you'd have with
>> Ubuntu/Kubuntu.
>>
>> What I'm using the machine for is as a dedicated "streaming audio"
>> computer. I have a small micro-FM radio transmitter connected to the
>> soundcard output jack on the machine, I've tuned the transmitter to 90.7
>> MHz. (which is an "empty" frequency in the Toronto area) and I can listen to
>> whatever audio stream is coming out of the computer on any FM
>> radio in the house. Actually the range of this little transmitter is
>> about half a block...and so I can take a portable radio out to the back yard
>> on a nice summer day like today and listen to whatever I feel like listening
>> to!
>>
>> The machine I got in a yard sale for $5 (minus hard drive and non-working
>> video card...quickly remedied with stuff from my computer "junque box").
>>
>> While this machine is old and slow, it's more than adequate for streaming
>> audio...and Xubuntu makes it possible. Just one caveat...for machines with
>> low RAM, use the "alternate install" CD.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Bob
>> http://www.ve3sre.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> ubuntu-ca mailing list
>> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release Date: 28/06/2007
>> 5:57 PM
>>
>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release Date: 28/06/2007
>> 5:57 PM
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 3
>> Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:56:14 -0300
>> From: "Eric Cyr" <1ballistic1 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
>> To: "The Canadian Ubuntu Users Community" <ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com>
>> Message-ID:
>> <3950c0ee0706291456v6a5215b0yee45ef4eb05b4fb at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> OOOooooo.....
>>
>> More details on the transmitter please! :)
>>
>>
>>
>> On 6/29/07, Wolf <wolf.pusztay at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hey bob way to go!!
>>>
>>> Nothing like keeping e-junk out of the landfill :-)
>>>
>>> I was wondering if your screaming-streaming audio system also has an
>>> internet connection and if so how troublesome it was to get it working?
>>>
>>> I have a similar system, an old IBM Aptiva, same specs, that I would like
>>> to
>>> find some use for as it runs fine. I normally have win98 on it but now
>>> that
>>> it is no longer supported by MS I wanted to switch it to linux, perhaps
>>> use
>>> it as a print/file server. I tried this once before and it ran like
>>> mollasses - slow!! I thought of DSL and maybe I should try it again but I
>>> have been using 'buntu and debian on my lap/desktops for a couple of years
>>> so I would like to stick with what I (think) I know.
>>>
>>> I'm also interested in your radio transmitter thingy. I live in the
>>> boonies
>>> with a large backyard and I would love to be able to stream some tunes out
>>> to the fire pit.
>>>
>>> Can you tell me more?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> And have a wonderful Canada Day Weekend!!
>>>
>>> Wolf in Sauble Beach, ON
>>>
>>>
>>> ~~~~~~~~~
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> [mailto:ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Bob Chandler
>>> Sent: June 29, 2007 3:41 PM
>>> To: ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> Subject: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
>>>
>>>
>>> I have found a great use for an old Pentium II 450 MHz. machine with 192
>>> MB
>>> RAM, and a small 9 GB hard drive.
>>>
>>> I installed "Xubuntu"...it's Ubuntu but with the lightweight and less
>>> resource-hungry XFCE desktop. The applications that come with Xubuntu
>>> tend to be a bit more "lightweight" than Ubuntu or Kubuntu, but you have
>>> access to all of the same package management tools that you'd have with
>>> Ubuntu/Kubuntu.
>>>
>>> What I'm using the machine for is as a dedicated "streaming audio"
>>> computer. I have a small micro-FM radio transmitter connected to the
>>> soundcard output jack on the machine, I've tuned the transmitter to 90.7
>>> MHz. (which is an "empty" frequency in the Toronto area) and I can listen
>>> to
>>> whatever audio stream is coming out of the computer on any FM
>>> radio in the house. Actually the range of this little transmitter is
>>> about half a block...and so I can take a portable radio out to the back
>>> yard
>>> on a nice summer day like today and listen to whatever I feel like
>>> listening
>>> to!
>>>
>>> The machine I got in a yard sale for $5 (minus hard drive and non-working
>>> video card...quickly remedied with stuff from my computer "junque box").
>>>
>>> While this machine is old and slow, it's more than adequate for streaming
>>> audio...and Xubuntu makes it possible. Just one caveat...for machines
>>> with
>>> low RAM, use the "alternate install" CD.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Bob
>>> http://www.ve3sre.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> ubuntu-ca mailing list
>>> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release Date: 28/06/2007
>>> 5:57 PM
>>>
>>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release Date: 28/06/2007
>>> 5:57 PM
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> ubuntu-ca mailing list
>>> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>>>
>>>
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>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 23:18:47 -0400
>> From: Matt Price <matt.price at utoronto.ca>
>> Subject: Re: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
>> To: The Canadian Ubuntu Users Community <ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com>
>> Message-ID: <1183173527.6861.50.camel at localhost>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>>
>> +1 more details
>>
>> matt
>>
>> On Fri, 2007-29-06 at 18:56 -0300, Eric Cyr wrote:
>>
>>> OOOooooo.....
>>>
>>> More details on the transmitter please! :)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 6/29/07, Wolf <wolf.pusztay at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hey bob way to go!!
>>>
>>> Nothing like keeping e-junk out of the landfill :-)
>>>
>>> I was wondering if your screaming-streaming audio system also
>>> has an
>>> internet connection and if so how troublesome it was to get it
>>> working?
>>>
>>> I have a similar system, an old IBM Aptiva, same specs, that I
>>> would like to
>>> find some use for as it runs fine. I normally have win98 on
>>> it but now that
>>> it is no longer supported by MS I wanted to switch it to
>>> linux, perhaps use
>>> it as a print/file server. I tried this once before and it
>>> ran like
>>> mollasses - slow!! I thought of DSL and maybe I should try it
>>> again but I
>>> have been using 'buntu and debian on my lap/desktops for a
>>> couple of years
>>> so I would like to stick with what I (think) I know.
>>>
>>> I'm also interested in your radio transmitter thingy. I live
>>> in the boonies
>>> with a large backyard and I would love to be able to stream
>>> some tunes out
>>> to the fire pit.
>>>
>>> Can you tell me more?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> And have a wonderful Canada Day Weekend!!
>>>
>>> Wolf in Sauble Beach, ON
>>>
>>>
>>> ~~~~~~~~~
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> [mailto:ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Bob
>>> Chandler
>>> Sent: June 29, 2007 3:41 PM
>>> To: ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> Subject: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
>>>
>>>
>>> I have found a great use for an old Pentium II 450 MHz.
>>> machine with 192 MB
>>> RAM, and a small 9 GB hard drive.
>>>
>>> I installed "Xubuntu"...it's Ubuntu but with the lightweight
>>> and less
>>> resource-hungry XFCE desktop. The applications that come
>>> with Xubuntu
>>> tend to be a bit more "lightweight" than Ubuntu or Kubuntu,
>>> but you have
>>> access to all of the same package management tools that you'd
>>> have with
>>> Ubuntu/Kubuntu.
>>>
>>> What I'm using the machine for is as a dedicated "streaming
>>> audio"
>>> computer. I have a small micro-FM radio transmitter
>>> connected to the
>>> soundcard output jack on the machine, I've tuned the
>>> transmitter to 90.7
>>> MHz. (which is an "empty" frequency in the Toronto area) and I
>>> can listen to
>>> whatever audio stream is coming out of the computer on any FM
>>> radio in the house. Actually the range of this little
>>> transmitter is
>>> about half a block...and so I can take a portable radio out to
>>> the back yard
>>> on a nice summer day like today and listen to whatever I feel
>>> like listening
>>> to!
>>>
>>> The machine I got in a yard sale for $5 (minus hard drive and
>>> non-working
>>> video card...quickly remedied with stuff from my computer
>>> "junque box").
>>>
>>> While this machine is old and slow, it's more than adequate
>>> for streaming
>>> audio...and Xubuntu makes it possible. Just one caveat...for
>>> machines with
>>> low RAM, use the "alternate install" CD.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Bob
>>> http://www.ve3sre.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> ubuntu-ca mailing list
>>> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release
>>> Date: 28/06/2007
>>> 5:57 PM
>>>
>>> No virus found in this outgoing message.
>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release
>>> Date: 28/06/2007
>>> 5:57 PM
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> ubuntu-ca mailing list
>>> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>>>
>>>
>> --
>> Matt Price
>> History Dept
>> University of Toronto
>> matt.price at utoronto.ca
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>> ------------------------------
>>
>> Message: 5
>> Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 01:00:23 -0300
>> From: "Cody A.W. Somerville" <cody-somerville at ubuntu.com>
>> Subject: Notice of leave
>> To: "Xubuntu Development Discussion" <xubuntu-devel at lists.ubuntu.com>,
>> DocumentationTeam <ubuntu-doc at lists.ubuntu.com>,
>> ubuntu-motu at lists.ubuntu.com, "Ubuntu Marketing"
>> <ubuntu-marketing at lists.ubuntu.com>, "The Canadian Ubuntu Users
>> Community" <ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com>
>> Message-ID:
>> <cedaa6d20706292100h272086bcm21effacd47cfc97c at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>>
>> Hello Everyone,
>>
>> I just wanted to let you know that I'll will be away for approximately
>> eight weeks starting July 1st. if you require anything of me during this
>> time, please send me a comprehensive e-mail to this address and I will be
>> able to address them periodically.
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> Cody A.W. Somerville
>> -------------- next part --------------
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>> ------------------------------
>>
>> --
>> ubuntu-ca mailing list
>> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>>
>>
>> End of ubuntu-ca Digest, Vol 27, Issue 23
>> *****************************************
>>
>
>
>
Hmmmm, Fluxubuntu sounds a bit like a heavier version of PuppyLinux,
which is what I am playing around with, given the limitations of my
present machine, (P-2, 333 mhz sporting something like 80(?) megs of
Ram...) Any advice?
Don.
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