[MLB-WIRELESS] Cheap Linux Toys

[Tony Langdon, VK3JED]

At 08:41 AM 10/21/2007, Peter Berrett wrote:


>Hi all
>
>I don't know if you guys that like to play with Linux have seen the
>following links but there are some interesting low cost pcs that once
>could do interesting things with

I haven't yet, but I would be interested in a low cost, low power 
consumption PC for a Linux based application.  The ability to run off 
13.8V DC would be an advantage.  Anyway, in case anyone has seen 
anything that might work, the PC must support the following:

Ethernet
Sound chipset well supported by Linux and/or the ability to add a 
second sound device via PCI
Support minimum 128M RAM
CPU speed is not critical, I suspect any PC of this class will meet 
the minimum spec (which is under 200 MHz) for the application.  I can 
trade CPU performance for power consumption if need be.  The PC 
currently performing the task is a P200 and it's only running at 10% 
utilisation.
Parallel port (must be on board, USB - parallel adapters will NOT 
work, as there is a bit of bit twiddling done by the software).
Serial port would be nice, but not essential, and if serial is 
eventually used, a USB-serial converter would be sufficient.
While I'd prefer to do without a HDD or any other moving parts, I 
accept that for the time being, a 2.5" HDD will be the most cost 
effective means of mass data storage.  Doesn't need to be huge though.
On that note, would prefer no fans or other moving parts, as the 
system will be left unattended in ambient temperatures between 10 and 
35C extremes

Cost is the biggie - the cheaper, the better.

73 de VK3JED
http://vkradio.com