>Ken, you are totally missing the point. Yes, Linux with X runs very well on
>a 486DX or better. Nobody here is disputing that claim. That is the purpose
>for Slackware, RedHat, Suse, Caldera, etc.... The reason for being of the
>ELKS project is to try to port Linux (with any and all apps that can be
>ported) back down to the 8086 architecture.
>The stated reason is for impoverished 3rd world countries. Yes, here we can
>pick up discarded 486DX boards mere pennies on the dollar (or even free out
>of dumpsters), yet in many neglected parts of the world, even discarded 8086
>machines are expensive. When your yearly net worth is less than $100.00, a
>$200.00 cast-off 486 is totally out of the question.
>THAT is why this project exists. The added bonus to us is the fun of trying
>to hack the end result. If you do not want to consider the 8086, then the
>normal Linux listserves will serve you most adequately. Just please, do not
>hinder our progress (or would it be regress? :> )
I think you misunderstand my drift. If you look at my page[1] at Geocities
you will see my collection of software for old machines. Nobody would
love to use these old machines more than I, I have about a dozen AT boards
in good working condition. I have ported software to run on diskless XTs
and ATs. Heck I have even written code to make boot ROMs[2] for XTs and
ATs. But all that software is standalone or DOS based. I would love to
see ELKS succeed. But all that happens on this list are people asking for
unrealistic goals like X when not even networking is working in ELKS.
And every day that passes, technology moves on and those XTs and ATs
just get less and less attractive. I know, I'm not contributing either,
just making noise too. The progress on ELKS has been so slow that I've
turned to the task of making FreeDOS netboot. At least networking already
works there. As for machines for the less-well off, well I'm involved
in this project[3] too.
I fail to see how pointing out the reality is hindering people. If
anybody feels energised by this less than positive assessment of ELKS
to want to prove me wrong, well good on you, as we say.
And so what are your credentials?
[1] http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lab/9247/
[2] http://www.slug.org.au/etherboot/
[3] http://www.computerbank.org.au/
