Another unhelpful reply: I used an old Dell Laptop with its original WinXP Home OS to do that for $0. I use VNC when I need to work the OS. ;) ~~J
On Fri, Jul 30, 2010 at 7:24 PM, Douglas Roberts <d...@parrot-farm.net> wrote: > I guess if you really wanted to use a Mac... > I could build a headless micro ATX Linux box to do that for < $200. > --Doug > > On Fri, Jul 30, 2010 at 5:19 PM, glen e. p. ropella > <g...@agent-based-modeling.com> wrote: >> >> I've used the desktop mini that way. I just made sure to boot it the >> first time with peripherals attached. Then made sure the VNC service >> started at boot, removed the peripherals and used VNC forever after. The DVD >> drive was quite handy for several upgrades. >> >> We also ran http://codefetch.com/ off a network of (desktop) minis at a >> colo. Now it's running out of Cosmo's house on a linux box, though. >> >> Owen Densmore wrote circa 10-07-30 03:47 PM: >>> >>> I'm considering a mac mini for a home server: backups (Time Machine), >>> large overnight file uploading to my web site, torrents, etc. A >>> non-desktop utility system running snow leopard. I plan to run it >>> without keyboard, mouse and display .. a headless wifi networked box >>> in a corner. >>> >>> Has anyone built/used such a home server? My two main question are: >>> >>> 1 - "Desktop" mini vs XServe mini. The mini comes in two flavors, a >>> desktop version, with DVD drive and running the standard leopard >>> desktop; and a server version, running Leopard Xserve software and >>> with a second disk replacing the DVD drive. The server mini is >>> heftier and costs more. I'm considering the server version, but not >>> sure if I really need it. >>> >>> So the question is: Has anyone used a mini server and is it worth it? >>> In particular, is the lack of a DVD drive a pain? >>> >>> 2 - Headless: I don't know the details of how to run a mini headless. >>> The server version has a server admin console and apparently can do >>> most things one needs to do. The standard mini generally is not run >>> headless, but can be via Apple Remote Desktop, basically a version of >>> VNC. I believe it is an additional cost however. I think both >>> versions can run ssh just fine. >>> >>> So the second question is: How do you run minis headless? ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
