"Steven" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Bob George wrote:
> >
> > I suspect you're getting a hell of a lot more services for
> > that 200-500 Meg though! A comparison with a fully loaded
> > NT system with apps, file and print services and IIS might
> > be more in order.
>
> Don't forget the compiler and the kernel source code !
Ah yes, the SOURCE. Something that's not part of your everyday Windows
system install now! How could I forget.
> > On a 386 with 8MB and up, Linux is definitely worth checking
> > out. Smaller distributions work VERY well on old hardware,
>
> Slackware is best for low-resource systems. It has the smallest
> footprint of the mainstream distributions and is the most
> suitable for 'DOS dinosaurs'. ('Windows weenies' should use
> Corel or Caldera).
Agreed regarding mainstream distributions (ones you're likely to find a book
on for that bit of extra help). Doesn't Slack still require a minimum of
about 100MB disk and 8MB RAM though? I remember ruling it out when trying to
bring up Linux on an old Compaq Contura notebook with 60MB disk and 4MB RAM.
> > I'm looking forward to the day when I pull that old IBM XT out
> > of the closet and fire up Linux on it!
>
> What's the point? An XT doesn't have enough grunt to be a server.
> If you really want to do Linux on that machine, I suggest you make
> it a ttyS of your Linux box. All you need is a serial cable and
> a DOS terminal program (Conex is good).
Just DOING it would be worthwhile. Once it's running, I'm sure I could find
something useful to do with it. To run any sort of modern, reasonably
featured software on that thing would give me a kick.
As others have noted, running it as a serial console for remote system(s)
would be useful, if only to have the XT sitting there looking like it's in
charge. Having multiple TTYs available for simultaneous connections to a
couple of boxes comes to mind.
One of my daydreams is to have an XT/Apple ][ sitting on my desk with a
high-horsepower server hidden underneath. Just leave it there and watch the
double-takes as the wet behind the ears MCSE types who've never seen a
terminal walk by and do a double take.
- Bob
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