[Ubuntu PA] NTR Laptop Project: need volunteers

Mon Jan 14 14:47:28 GMT 2008

I definitely still use DSL 3.4 - I'm not particularly fond of the interface
change in 4.x releases [ yes I liked the previous fluxbox configuration! ].

I was not aware Puppy discontinued frame buffer support ... I still use some
older versions of Puppy.  I will check to see what version I'm currently
using, that may be of some use to the project.  I can agree with the XOrg
unreliable nature on older hardware - I'm not sure about vesa.

Compact Flash as hard drives = great idea!!!

Mike

On Jan 14, 2008 9:12 AM, Kevin Valentine <kevin.valentine at gmail.com> wrote:

> Mike,
>
> Don't worry if you can't help right now.  If things go as planned, this
> project should be around for a long time.  It sounds like you'll be an
> excellent resource in our IRC channel.  Perhaps we can dedicate one
> night out of the week in the channel for heavy laptop discussions.
>
> Jim and I have been immersed in DSL discussions lately.  Initially I was
> suggesting Puppy but then changed my mind after getting more familiar
> with DSL.  The main issue we had with Puppy is that it dropped
> framebuffer support a while back.  On many old laptops, the vesa or xorg
> server will not work or is just buggy/unreliable.  Your only option is
> to use the framebuffer.  It's provides slower graphics but it's very
> reliable.
>
> We've also been working a lot with CompactFlash to IDE (2.5") adapters.
> This makes the laptops virtually indestructible.  They also boot faster
> and consume less power.  With NTR's connections and NPO status, we may
> be able to get a deal on 512MB CF cards and the adapters.  From what
> I've experienced, most of the laptops hard drives need to be replaced
> anyway so this would be a nice upgrade.
>
> At least for the laptops we're doing for the MALT Laptop project, we
> have settled on DSL 3.4.8.  We've tried DSL 4.x but weren't very
> satisfied with the new look and feel.  Puppy is still on the table for
> laptops with enough memory and a decent graphics card.
>
> -kevin
>
>
> silvertip257 wrote:
> > You are tempting me ... I've already got myself neck-deep in other
> > projects and school.
> > I absolutely love the speed at which DSL boots up and I love the
> > feature-packed PuppyLinux.
> > I rather doubt there will be a shortage of salvaged laptops + desktops
> > anytime soon, so I'll be in luck for something over break, etc.
> >
> > For speed choose DSL (4.2 is looking interesting).
> > For features + speed (although -slightly- slower boot time than DSL)
> > choose Puppy.  The difference is the image size - 50MB DSL vs. <100MB
> > Puppy.
> >
> > I would recommend using Puppy 3.xx b/c it's compatible with Slackware
> > 12.0 and it most likely will have more pre-built (and recent) packages
> > than DSL.  But by all means choose what works and/or your preference.
> >
> > -- When my hard drive ' died ' a week ago, I used DSL for 3 days
> > straight (no reboots) as a test on DSL and my loyalty :).  What I
> > discovered was there are some ' limitations ' in the package area that
> > I disliked for DSL, but obviously if I knew more about building
> > packages I could cure that problem!
> >
> > Mike
> >
> > On Jan 13, 2008 11:29 PM, Kevin Valentine <kevin.valentine at gmail.com
> > <mailto:kevin.valentine at gmail.com>> wrote:
> >
> >     John A Back wrote:
> >     > Hi Kevin,
> >     >
> >     > I am happy to help and your Saturday plan sounds fine. Will we be
> >     > working at NTR on Bradywine Street in Philly?
> >     >
> >     > Being a relatively new convert to Linux and open source I will
> >     need a
> >     > little assistance in getting started but my experience goes back
> >     to 70's
> >     > and the Radio Shack Trash80 along with the Apple II so I'll be an
> >     > independent worker in short order.
> >     >
> >     > Are you thinking of next Saturday the 19th?
> >     >
> >     > Looking forward to helping,
> >     > John
> >
> >     Thanks John, glad you can help.  Yes, the tentative plan is to meet
> at
> >     NTR on the 19th.  I got a reply from Stan saying that between 12
> >     and 2pm
> >     would be good for him.  Another guy we really want to talk to is
> >     Ayende
> >     but he's in a board meeting with Stan until noon.  I'll show you
> >     around
> >     and you may get a demo of a salvaged laptop.
> >
> >     Hah, I had a Trash80 when I was a kid.  Fun stuff!  We'll be using
> >     DSL
> >     and Puppy with these laptops.  In the mean time, take a look at
> >     the DSL
> >     and Puppy sites for more info:
> >     http://damnsmalllinux.org/
> >     http://puppylinux.org/
> >
> >     -kevin
> >
> >     --
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > //  SilverTip257  //
> > ==========================
> >   ~
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> >  /V\
> > // \\
> > /(   )\
> > ^`~´^
>
>
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-- 
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