[OPLINTECH] Public Access Computer purchases

Chad Neeper (list) cneeper at level9networks.com
Fri Mar 20 08:56:23 EDT 2009


On re-reading my messages, you right, Ed. I mis-spoke (-typed) on the 
downgrade to XP. I certainly could have been clearer. Thanks for 
pointing that out!

Chad

-----------------------
Chad Neeper
Senior Systems Engineer

Level 9 Networks
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

--   Full LAN/WAN consulting services   --
-- Specialized in libraries and schools --



Chad Neeper (list) wrote:
> That's my understanding too. That's why the end used is supposed to 
> provide the WinXP media.
>
> A 30GB SSD is too small for my own needs, but it's a great price for 
> anyone considering SSDs with those specs. Definitely worth a look.
>
> Chad
>
> -----------------------
> Chad Neeper
> Senior Systems Engineer
>
> Level 9 Networks
> 740-548-8070 (voice)
> 866-214-6607 (fax)
>
> --   Full LAN/WAN consulting services   --
> -- Specialized in libraries and schools --
>
>
>
> Ed Liddle wrote:
>   
>> It was my understanding that to be able to downgrade to XP from vista,
>> you have to currently have computers running XP. When you install XP on
>> a new PC with a vista business or ultimate license you can use the XP
>> numbers off of one of your existing XP computers. If XP won't activate
>> then you have to call microsoft and once they determine you have a valid
>> vista license they will give you something to activate xp.
>> The attached pdf I downloaded from
>> http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/f/4/5f4c83d3-833e-4f11-8cbd-699b0c164182/royaltyoemreferencesheet.pdf
>>  It explains the downgrade rights for vista.
>>
>> Also newegg has a 30 gig ssd for 103 bucks with a promo code of
>> EMCLPMX37 and a $20 mail in rebate. You can find the details of the
>> drive here. Just research the speed of the ssd drive, some are faster
>> than others.
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227393&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL031909&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL031909-_-SolidStateDisks-_-L5C-_-20227393
>>
>> I bought a EeePC. Its the 1000 model with 40 gig ssd and loaded with
>> linux. I really like it. The version of linux that comes on it isn't the
>> best. I currently have eeebuntu http://www.eeebuntu.org/ running on it
>> from an 8 gig sd card. When I get time I am going to install it on the
>> internal ssd so I can free up the sd card slot on it. I don't miss a dvd
>> drive on it. There is a neat application that lets you install a linux
>> iso image to a thumb drive and make it bootable. Its called UNetbootin
>> and can be found here http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ I used it to
>> install eeebuntu on my EeePC and also for creating a usb stick with
>> clonezilla on it. This is handy since all the library computers will now
>> boot off of usb devices. 
>>
>> -Ed Liddle 
>>
>>  
>>
>> On Wed, 2009-03-18 at 15:18 -0400, Chad Neeper (list) wrote:
>>   
>>     
>>> LOL! I had to grin when I saw the cases I mentioned earlier. The cases
>>> give you the option of using a standard sized 5.25" CD/DVD-ROM or a
>>> slimline CD/DVD with a 3.5" floppy drive. You're right. Floppies are
>>> long, long obsolete, yet people/businesses/LIBRARIES still want/need
>>> them!  How frustrating!
>>>
>>> Jim:  Good point on the SSDs. The prices are coming down quickly
>>> (YEAH!) and the power draw is much better. I'm anxiously awaiting a
>>> good pricepoint/capacity to buy one for my battery-abusive laptop!
>>>
>>> Eric:  On the custom building front...you're right. If you build it
>>> yourself you might save a few bucks on the initial tangible cost, but
>>> you have to support it yourself over the long haul. Some libraries
>>> might be able to do it efficiently, but probably not most. If you get
>>> a custom build from a reseller, then there's a pretty good chance the
>>> reseller is going to be a local company and not on par with the Dells
>>> of the world. That could be good or bad, but you still have a single
>>> point for support of the computers, just like buying a Dell. That
>>> obviously doesn't make the decision any easier and I'm certainly not
>>> advocating one over the other. (So good luck there figuring out what's
>>> best for your library! :-) )
>>>
>>> Someone:  Resellers can still buy oem XP licenses for installation
>>> ONLY on netbook-class (low-powered) computers. Not for higher-powered
>>> computers, though. To get XP on a higher-powered computer, you have to
>>> get Vista Ultimate or Business. You can then downgrade to XP Pro using
>>> media THAT YOU SUPPLY yourself. If you need a CD key for the install,
>>> you can call Microsoft's support and get one to match your media.
>>> That's the theory, anyway. I only build machines for my own clients,
>>> which means that I don't build lots and lots of them. I'll be testing
>>> that backrev license soon though. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
>>>
>>>
>>> Good luck....And I still like the idea of hanging the computer on the
>>> back of the monitor. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a generic
>>> case/display that can do that.
>>>
>>> Chad
>>>
>>>
>>> -----------------------
>>> Chad Neeper
>>> Senior Systems Engineer
>>>
>>> Level 9 Networks
>>> 740-548-8070 (voice)
>>> 866-214-6607 (fax)
>>>
>>> --   Full LAN/WAN consulting services   --
>>> -- Specialized in libraries and schools --
>>>
>>>
>>> Eric Maynard wrote: 
>>>     
>>>       
>>>> Yeah, they know that people are not going to give those things up
>>>> easily so why squeak a few dollars while we make the transition.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Eric Maynard
>>>> Head of Information Technology,
>>>> Holmes County District Public Library
>>>> Millersburg, OH  44654
>>>>
>>>> Email [emaynard at holmeslib.org]
>>>> Phone [330.674.5972 x.224]
>>>> Fax   [330.674.1938] 
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 11:56 AM, Mann, James H.
>>>> <JMann at gcpl.lib.oh.us> wrote:
>>>>         I love it….
>>>>         
>>>>         And I’m still paying an extra $20 to get floppy drives
>>>>         pre-installed.
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>         Jim Mann
>>>>         
>>>>         Technology Coordinator
>>>>         
>>>>         Greene County Public Library
>>>>         
>>>>         76 E. Market St.
>>>>         
>>>>         Xenia Ohio 45385
>>>>         
>>>>         (937)352-4000 x1210
>>>>         
>>>>         mailto: jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us
>>>>         
>>>>         "If everything seems under control, you're just not going
>>>>         fast enough." - Mario Andretti.
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org
>>>>         [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of JKENZIG
>>>>         Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 9:13 AM
>>>>         To: Eric Maynard; oplintech at oplin.org 
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Public Access Computer purchases
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>         Wait a few months maybe, and Windows 7 will be out and it
>>>>         runs on quite a bit more types of hardware than Vista can.
>>>>          We are going to have to give up XP sooner or later. 
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>         Most manufacturers are starting to offer the option of SSD’s
>>>>         in there PC’s also and by years end  I expect they all will.
>>>>         I think it was Seagate that last years CES announced a 2
>>>>         TERAbyte SSD will be out this year,  other drive
>>>>         manufactures have followed suit with announcements.  16 gb
>>>>         ssds are generally well available. 
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>         Jim Kenzig
>>>>         Network Manager
>>>>         Cuyahoga County Public Library
>>>>         
>>>>         Administrative Offices
>>>>         
>>>>         2111 Snow Road / Parma, OH 44134-2728
>>>>         
>>>>         www.cuyahogalibrary.org
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>         From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org
>>>>         [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Eric
>>>>         Maynard
>>>>         Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 9:00 AM
>>>>         To: oplintech at oplin.org
>>>>         Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Public Access Computer purchases
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>         Jim,
>>>>         
>>>>         Good point on the SSDs, but is there anything out there that
>>>>         runs XP besides netbooks?  Also, I'd be curious if anything
>>>>         like that had built in optical drive options.
>>>>         
>>>>         I'm sure you could custom build something like this as Chad
>>>>         was suggesting, but I'm not sure that is the route we want
>>>>         to take in terms of long term support.
>>>>         
>>>>         Decisions... decisions.....
>>>>         
>>>>         Eric Maynard
>>>>         Head of Information Technology,
>>>>         Holmes County District Public Library
>>>>         Millersburg, OH  44654
>>>>         
>>>>         Email [emaynard at holmeslib.org]
>>>>         Phone [330.674.5972 x.224]
>>>>         Fax   [330.674.1938] 
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         On Wed, Mar 18, 2009 at 8:43 AM, JKENZIG
>>>>         <JKENZIG at cuyahogalibrary.org> wrote:
>>>>         
>>>>         Remember that Solid State drives(SSD) are also starting to
>>>>         become the norm and they consume way less power.
>>>>         Also if you can try and get the VPro chipset.  It has
>>>>         enhanced functionality for remote wakeup and control.
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         Jim Kenzig
>>>>         Network Manager
>>>>         Cuyahoga County Public Library
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         Administrative Offices
>>>>         2111 Snow Road / Parma, OH 44134-2728
>>>>         www.cuyahogalibrary.org
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         -----Original Message-----
>>>>         From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org
>>>>         [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Chad
>>>>         Neeper
>>>>         Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 1:46 PM
>>>>         To: oplintech at oplin.org
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Public Access Computer purchases
>>>>         
>>>>         I don't think that's going to be so true in the very near
>>>>         future. A week or so ago I was looking into the Mini-ITX
>>>>         form factor (6.7 x 6.7 inch) motherboards from Intel for a
>>>>         client that wanted to buy some new computers. Intel has a
>>>>         few Mini-ITX boards that supports standard desktop
>>>>         processors. One I'm glancing at now supports the Core2 Quad.
>>>>         While I'd like to start using the smaller form factor, I
>>>>         didn't end up suggesting it yet because the selection of
>>>>         Mini-ITX boards available from my distributors are still
>>>>         primarily using underpowered processors...just like you
>>>>         said. I only found one mini-itx board SKU supporting
>>>>         standard desktop processors at one of my secondary
>>>>         distributors. I haven't looked for release dates from Intel,
>>>>         but I think they're probably right around the corner since
>>>>         they're already being shown on Intel's website in full
>>>>         detail and my distributors already have at least one SKU.
>>>>         
>>>>         The mini-itx case I was looking at had a 120W power supply.
>>>>         If the processor alone takes up to 65W, that leaves 55W for
>>>>         the motherboard, 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive, and 5.25" or
>>>>         slimline CD/DVD-ROM drive. That should be just enough power.
>>>>         Heat could definitely be an issue, as you said, but if the
>>>>         case is designed well, it could be managed well enough.
>>>>         The only thing really proprietary is the motherboard itself,
>>>>         with built-in video, USB, network interface, etc. But that's
>>>>         really no different than full ATX or mATX style
>>>>         motherboards.
>>>>         
>>>>         This is all from a white-box perspective, though. There
>>>>         probably IS more proprietary components in a Dell, Acer, or
>>>>         whatever other big names are left out there in this economy!
>>>>         But then, with those you also get things like being able to
>>>>         hang the computer on the back of the monitor. I haven't
>>>>         looked, but I think I'd probably be hard pressed to find
>>>>         something like that in a whitebox config.
>>>>         
>>>>         Just my 2 (more) cents.
>>>>         
>>>>         Chad
>>>>         
>>>>         -----------------------
>>>>         Chad Neeper
>>>>         Senior Systems Engineer
>>>>         
>>>>         Level 9 Networks
>>>>         740-548-8070 (voice)
>>>>         866-214-6607 (fax)
>>>>         
>>>>         --   Full LAN/WAN consulting services   --
>>>>         -- Specialized in libraries and schools --
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         Industry Standard Computers wrote:
>>>>         > The problem with ALL micro computers except laptops are
>>>>         the power
>>>>         > supplies are too underrated. The computers run hotter.
>>>>         >
>>>>         > Seldom do micros have the newest or faster processors as
>>>>         buy options.
>>>>         >
>>>>         > Next the micro computers are generally 95% proprietary
>>>>         parts inside
>>>>         > even the hard drives sometimes are proprietary designs or
>>>>         interfaces.
>>>>         >
>>>>         > People who are rich can afford to replace computers every
>>>>         3 years or
>>>>         > whenever the warranty runs out, most others can not.
>>>>         >
>>>>         > Butch
>>>>         >
>>>>         >
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>         _______________________________________________
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>>>>         OPLINTECH at oplin.org
>>>>         http://mail.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>          
>>>>         
>>>>         
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ____________________________________________________________________
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>>>>       
>>>>         
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