Re: [OS:N:] Re: OLPC

["Robert Citek" <robert citek gmail com>]

On Jan 12, 2008 3:33 PM, M. Fioretti <mfioretti nexaima net> wrote:
> hopefully, they will make really efficient but user friendly Linux
> desktops easier to put together and use even in NORMAL, refurbished
> computers. The current alternatives, eg damnsmalllinux, are pretty
> useless as desktop or internet terminals for non-techies.

What's your minimum spec for a refurbished computer?

I ask because at ByteWorks[1] we refurbish donated computers, use them
to teach computing to "at-risk" youth, and award them to the youth who
have successfully completed the program.  Our minimum spec for a
desktop system is 400 MHz x86 with 128 MB RAM and a 6 GB HDD.  For
over the past year we have had no problem getting donations that meet
or exceed those requirements.  As for assembling the hardware, most is
pretty standard COTS stuff, from the BIOS, to the mother board, to the
peripheral cards.  As for the software we use Debian Etch running KDE,
which is very functional, although not the snappiest given the
hardware.  Using tested hardware we can routinely build complete
systems in about 20 minutes.

We use similar hardware and software for our classroom setup.  The
difference being that the machines can triple-boot:

http://wiki.bworks.org/doku.php/classroom_computer_overview

[1] http://byteworks.bworks.org/

Regards,
- Robert