At least for audio only, almost any older laptop computer can be put to use in this same fashion as a "radio" appliance. I have an older Toshiba 266 MHz laptop running PuppyLinux that I have used at times in this capacity. I am somewhat limited on audio formats I can listen to, what with not having the latest and greatest Microsoft Windows Media program, but I can get enough to satisfy my wants. The biggest limitations with trying to use an older laptop is the limited RAM memory many might have, but maybe more importantly is getting your internet connected. With this particular laptop I use an older Linksys 10 mbit wireless PCCard that talks to my router on my cable modem connection, which in Puppy Linux is not automatic in configuring and therefore discourages my wife from using. In that regard, a relatively new netbook is probably better if one is not scrapped for disposable income like I am.
Kevin, K9IUA -- ------------------------------------- Kevin Anderson, Dubuque IA USA, K9IUA k9iua (at) yahoo (dot) com ------------------------------------- --- On Fri, 2/12/10, Joe Buch <[email protected]> wrote: > From: Joe Buch <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Internetradio] How does "thelounge.com" compare? > To: "Internet radio discussion" <[email protected]> > Date: Friday, February 12, 2010, 10:18 AM > The use of a netbook computer to > access internet radio stations need not be inhibited because > of the crappy audio such small speakers emit. I have > plugged in a set of amplified computer speakers to the > earphone jack and enjoy stereo radio from all over. > When I want to watch foreign-based TV stations it does that > too. Try that with a WiFi radio. The computer > cost me $300, the speakers were $3 at a garage sale, and the > lowest speed DSL link to the internet costs $20 per month > from AT&T. The fastest video (and best resolution) > I have found comes from China's CCTV-9 at about 500 kbps > which is slower than the typical 650 kbps downlink speed of > the DSL service. Works great with no > rebuffering. > > If you are coming to Kulpsville on March 5 and 6, > I hope to demonstrate what such a simple setup can do on > Saturday morning at 10:30. > > Joe Buch _______________________________________________ Internetradio mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/internetradio To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to [email protected]?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.
