Re: [SLUG] My father wants an inexpensive computer
On 12/5/06, Stephen Black <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: My fathter wants an inexpensive computer which will connect to an ADSL broadband connection, He also wants to do video editing so it has to have some reasonable specs. You will be able to edit videos for the web, eg. Google Video, YouTube, etc, on almost anything (ie ~$50 second hand PC or better). Editing in HD will require some grunt, and dual monitors are preferable. I priced up a decent system for a friend a while back - 3 HDDs, 2GB RAM, dual monitors, UPS, decent other bits for $2.5K For video editing you will really want firewire. This can be added for $20-30 to most computers, but would probably be faster if you got a computer with it already on the motherboard. Video card just needs to support dual monitors and TV out. All it has to do is process the overlay, so it can be pretty minimal in other aspects $50-100 should suffice. Make sure you get hard drives with large buffers and get as many as you can afford (up to 4 is a good idea). Where can I get an inexpensive (I think it will have to be Linux) computer? Second hand/auctions Or how can I get some broadband connectivity on 8 year old x86 architecture? (even if it's not Linux Compatable) PCI network card: $5-$20. If the computer doesn't have PCI slots then you can get one that does for <$20 but you should be able to find one for free. I was giving away some PIIs that would happily run Linux (if I hadn't taken out the RAM :-P) a while back. You should be able to pick up a PII or P3 out of the paper for <$50 or off the curb next clean up :-) Ben -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] My father wants an inexpensive computer
On 12/5/06, Stephen Black <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: My fathter wants an inexpensive computer which will connect to an ADSL broadband connection, He also wants to do video editing so it has to have some reasonable specs. Define "inexpensive". You can buy complete PC's from Dell these days for less than $800 if you happen to pick up an internet special - of course, they're all WindoZe pre-installed, but that doesn't mean you can't install Linux on them. Most other places will do a decent setup for around $1000 - less if you don't need a monitor. You can build one yourself for $600-$700 if you know where to go to get parts. How much do you want to spend? Video editing and inexpensive are almost direct contradictions - most "inexpensive" machines use shared memory for the video card, and that's not a good thing to be editing video streams on. Where can I get an inexpensive (I think it will have to be Linux) computer? Or how can I get some broadband connectivity on 8 year old x86 architecture? (even if it's not Linux Compatable) You can get broadband connectivity on almost anything - all the machine needs is a network card and suitable software so you can plug it into the modem/router used to connect to the broadband link. DaZZa -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] My father wants an inexpensive computer
Hi Stephen in many regards wanting an inexpensive computer and wanting to do video editing are mutually exclusive. nevertheless basic machines will have power enough to do some video editing even if its not able to throw around huge files and edit them in real time. an 8 year old machine should have no problems connecting to broadband assuming a network card and ip/adsl router plus software to support it. if you are using said ip/adsl router, most likely it will 'just work' if you attach it and set it for dhcp. Dean Stephen Black wrote: My fathter wants an inexpensive computer which will connect to an ADSL broadband connection, He also wants to do video editing so it has to have some reasonable specs. Where can I get an inexpensive (I think it will have to be Linux) computer? Or how can I get some broadband connectivity on 8 year old x86 architecture? (even if it's not Linux Compatable) -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
[SLUG] My father wants an inexpensive computer
My fathter wants an inexpensive computer which will connect to an ADSL broadband connection, He also wants to do video editing so it has to have some reasonable specs. Where can I get an inexpensive (I think it will have to be Linux) computer? Or how can I get some broadband connectivity on 8 year old x86 architecture? (even if it's not Linux Compatable)
Re: [SLUG] ethical question - teach beginner doze or linux?
On Tue, December 5, 2006 2:22 pm, Sonia Hamilton wrote: > * On Sun, Dec 03, 2006 at 09:09:58PM +1100, Sonia Hamilton wrote: > >> Here's an ethical question for you. I have a middle aged friend who >> wants to "learn computers"; he's never used computers before (he's a > > Thanks to everyone for the many and varied answers to this question! > Lots of things to think about - I'll probably setup a dual boot system > (using http://www.theopencd.org/ as much as possible on 'doze) and nudge > him towards Linux, but give him the choice in deciding over time. good luck, and, pls post a progress report ! -- Voytek -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] ethical question - teach beginner doze or linux?
* On Sun, Dec 03, 2006 at 02:43:09AM -0800, Shakthi Kannan wrote: > > The Linux lover and advocate in me says "Linux, of > > course", but is that > > ethical? What I mean is that some time in the future > > I mightn't be > > around to help him, > > You don't just teach him how to use it, but, also > teach him about the community, and how he can get help > from them (mailing lists, forums, IRC or simply > searching in search engines). Any forums or IRC that anyone could recommend, that are particularly suited to beginners? I'd be installing Ubuntu, so I'd show him http://easylinux.info/wiki/Ubuntu:Edgy when he's more experienced. -- Sonia Hamilton. GPG key A8B77238. -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] ethical question - teach beginner doze or linux?
* On Sun, Dec 03, 2006 at 09:09:58PM +1100, Sonia Hamilton wrote: > Here's an ethical question for you. I have a middle aged friend who > wants to "learn computers"; he's never used computers before (he's a Thanks to everyone for the many and varied answers to this question! Lots of things to think about - I'll probably setup a dual boot system (using http://www.theopencd.org/ as much as possible on 'doze) and nudge him towards Linux, but give him the choice in deciding over time. -- Sonia Hamilton. GPG key A8B77238. -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: fwd: [SLUG] December 5th meeting: GIS, PostgreSQL 8.2 and free beer
> for anyone not on announce. The announce -> slug alias is fully functional these days. :-) - Jeff -- linux.conf.au 2007: Sydney, Australia http://lca2007.linux.org.au/ "Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am: Stuck in the middle with you." - Steeler's Wheel, Stuck in the Middle With You -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Obtaining Ubuntu DVD
Dimitri Koussa wrote: There have been some mirrors and proxies set up by different departments and societies at some point in time. Nothing (I know of at least) that lasted and certainly nothing organised by the university as a whole. Which would have been useful. In the spirit of Christmas I'll burn you a copy for free. I have a spindle of blank DVDs that I haven't used in 6 months, and downloads from my ISP's mirror (Internode) do not count towards my quota. Plus I"m on a 1.5Mbps connection so it won't take long. In addition to the Ubuntu DVDs browse through mirror.internode.on.net and tell me what else you want. Max 3 DVDs worth. Cheers, Carlo -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
fwd: [SLUG] December 5th meeting: GIS, PostgreSQL 8.2 and free beer
Hey all, for anyone not on announce. Cheers, Pia - Forwarded message from Gavin Sherry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 12:47:19 +1100 (EST) From: Gavin Sherry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [SLUG] December 5th meeting: GIS, PostgreSQL 8.2 and free beer The Sydney PostgreSQL Users Group will meet on December the 5th, 6:30PM, at Fujitsu Australia in North Sydney. Gavin Sherry will be giving a talk on GIS and PostgreSQL as well as introducing PostgreSQL 8.2, which is to be released on the 6th of December. To celebrate the imminent release, free beer will be supplied by Fujitsu! Meet Gavin Sherry at the foyer of 15 Blue St North Sydney at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held in a meeting room on level 18 but security restrictions mean that you cannot go straight up there. As such, please try and arrive promptly. If you have any issues, contact Gavin on 0418487420. You can see a map of approximately where the buillding is here: http://www.zoomin.com.au/australia/nsw/sydney/north+sydney/blue+street/ Basically, the building is directly next to the North Sydney train station exit on Blue St. Thanks, Gavin -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html - End forwarded message - Cheers, Pia -- Linux Australia http://linux.org.au/ -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
[SLUG] December 5th meeting: GIS, PostgreSQL 8.2 and free beer
The Sydney PostgreSQL Users Group will meet on December the 5th, 6:30PM, at Fujitsu Australia in North Sydney. Gavin Sherry will be giving a talk on GIS and PostgreSQL as well as introducing PostgreSQL 8.2, which is to be released on the 6th of December. To celebrate the imminent release, free beer will be supplied by Fujitsu! Meet Gavin Sherry at the foyer of 15 Blue St North Sydney at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held in a meeting room on level 18 but security restrictions mean that you cannot go straight up there. As such, please try and arrive promptly. If you have any issues, contact Gavin on 0418487420. You can see a map of approximately where the buillding is here: http://www.zoomin.com.au/australia/nsw/sydney/north+sydney/blue+street/ Basically, the building is directly next to the North Sydney train station exit on Blue St. Thanks, Gavin -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] ethical question - teach beginner doze or linux?
Hi, --- Sonia Hamilton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > able to submit documents to councils - I haven't > been able to pin down > the format required by councils yet. Use .odp or .pdf formats. > Do I install and teach him 'doze/M$ Office or > Ubuntu? Or, setup dual > boot and teach him both? Or, install Ubuntu and > Cross Over office? Use Ubuntu or any other recent distro. > The Linux lover and advocate in me says "Linux, of > course", but is that > ethical? What I mean is that some time in the future > I mightn't be > around to help him, You don't just teach him how to use it, but, also teach him about the community, and how he can get help from them (mailing lists, forums, IRC or simply searching in search engines). > On the other hand, with Linux he'll get everything > extra for free, ... free as in freedom. > won't > have to learn about nagware/cracks, won't be stuck > in the "upgrade > treadmill", won't have virus problems, and generally > have less > problems... You already answered your question here :) SK -- Shakthi Kannan http://www.shakthimaan.com Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/r-index -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
[SLUG] Linux for Seniors
Sydney Linux User Group, We need some advice and perhaps help! Our Computer club for seniors is based in the Anglican Retirement Villages at Castle Hill with about 200 members at this site. We often refurbish old computers for those of limited means and have considered using a Linux OS and Open Source applications to reduce the cost. I am personally a great fan of OpenOffice and Gimp (MS Windows versions). Over several years I have tried to come to grips with various Linux distros, bought several copious volumes and distros of Mandrake, Debian and others. Although I have written programs in old DOS formats and built computers the hard way, back in the 80s, I still have not been able to come to grips with Linux. I had a quick go at Knoppix recently, which again prompted me to consider Linux once more. Would there be one of your members in the general Castle Hill area I could make contact with for advice? Lynton Bradford Ph 20 9680 9637 Mob 0404 466 461 9 Edgewood Avenue, Warrina Village, Castle Hill 2154 -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Obtaining Ubuntu DVD
On 23:14 Mon 04 Dec 06, Matthew Hannigan spake thusly: > On Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 10:28:51PM +1100, Dimitri Koussa wrote: > > I was hoping it wouldn't come to that. I have to pay ~5.5 cents/Mb here at > > USyd > > so that's $175 for the DVD...I guess I'll start emailing my friends asking > > if > > they've got some bandwidth they can spare. > > That's astonishing, surely usyd have a mirror? There have been some mirrors and proxies set up by different departments and societies at some point in time. Nothing (I know of at least) that lasted and certainly nothing organised by the university as a whole. Which would have been useful. > > Unless...does anyone have the DVD? I will pay for or replace the DVD and > > can go > > pick it up (if close to city). > > There's got to be hundreds of Ubuntu users at usyd surely. There are a few but most of the ones that I know just install using the regular CD versions. -- Dimitri -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Obtaining Ubuntu DVD
On Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 10:28:51PM +1100, Dimitri Koussa wrote: > I was hoping it wouldn't come to that. I have to pay ~5.5 cents/Mb here at > USyd > so that's $175 for the DVD...I guess I'll start emailing my friends asking if > they've got some bandwidth they can spare. That's astonishing, surely usyd have a mirror? > Unless...does anyone have the DVD? I will pay for or replace the DVD and can > go > pick it up (if close to city). There's got to be hundreds of Ubuntu users at usyd surely. Matt -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Obtaining Ubuntu DVD
On 22:09 Mon 04 Dec 06, Jeff Waugh spake thusly: > > > > Does anyone know where I can obtain an Ubuntu install DVD? > > Your best bet is to download and burn one (or find someone to download and > burn one for you). I was hoping it wouldn't come to that. I have to pay ~5.5 cents/Mb here at USyd so that's $175 for the DVD...I guess I'll start emailing my friends asking if they've got some bandwidth they can spare. Unless...does anyone have the DVD? I will pay for or replace the DVD and can go pick it up (if close to city). Thanks -- Dimitri -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] Obtaining Ubuntu DVD
> Does anyone know where I can obtain an Ubuntu install DVD? Your best bet is to download and burn one (or find someone to download and burn one for you). - Jeff -- Open CeBIT 2007: Sydney, Australia http://www.opencebit.com.au/ "GNOME, launched specifically to counter a threat to our freedom, is the free software project par excellence." - Richard Stallman -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
[SLUG] Obtaining Ubuntu DVD
Hi everyone, In a couple of weeks I'll be traveling to a country on the other side of the digital divide where I plan on setting up an Ubuntu machine for a non techie. And bandwidth is very expensive over there so I wanted the DVD install edition. The Ubuntu website links to Amazon but that says shipping is only available in the US. And I'm not sure they can ship within two weeks. Does anyone know where I can obtain an Ubuntu install DVD? Cheers -- Dimitri -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
Re: [SLUG] ethical question - teach beginner doze or linux?
I assisted my cousin (never used a computer before mid 30's y.o. builder) with his Windows install and it has OpenOffice.org and Firefox. Whilst installing these I introduced the concept of open source. He was receptive in regards to not having to pay for software. Because he had just shelled out for a new Dell system with Windows XP, he couldn't conceive paying for anything else along with the monthly Internet bill. But here the eldest child started school and I couldn't support child with educational aid. In June/July this year I was in Germany and my cousin purchased a new computer. Being unable to source a copy of Windows XP within an reasonable amount of time, I installed Ubuntu*. Living with for about a month I was able to provide 24/7 support (European key bindings and all (made easier with LANG=)). They were able to download pictures from there camera's, IM with Gaim, and be pirates with gtk-gnutella. Also burning CD's within known was easy. But installing applications wasn't obvious, and whilst I was away in another part of Europe Windows was installed. Since though my cousin says there nothing comes close to what gtk-gnutella was on Linux. In these cases I couldn't support them if they had Linux, because I made the choice for them. IMO it would be different if they wanted to learn about alternatives. * Easy to source a distribution in Germany, they have 10+ Linux magazines. -- Simon Males <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
