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Junking old computers is not the way to recycle them. A computer is only as obsolete as the software it runs. Here's some examples of how I have recycled old computers..

2 386DX DNS servers

5 386-486 thin clients using a multitude of different thin client/diskless node configurations. PXES is a great distro for this type of use.

1 486DX Laptop + Trinux (Awesome network trouble shooting/ consoling tool)

1 100Mhz Pentium Sound server (just winamp + VNC + a soundcard)

I'm sure there's tons of other uses I haven't touched on, if you can think of any let me know! It might make a good ask slashdot article :)

"...hardware such as those old 386s can be put to use." Yeah, right. What recent version of Linux will run on a 386 with maybe 8 Meg of RAM (but probably only 4) *and* fit on that under 528M hard drive that's the biggest thing the mobo's BIOS will take? I've got some old hardware I'd like re-use.

There are a bunch of "micro" Linuxes out there that are designed to run entirely on a floppy like Trinux, although they recommend at least 12MB RAM... &nbsp There's also the Linux Router Project and FreeSCO for using Linux as a router (which is what alot of the old 386s and 486s are used for). &nbsp For a list of full blown distributions, you can go here. &nbsp This is pretty cool.

If you want small, go make your own small distro, or check out Trinux.

-= NJV =-

Succinctly: Free software/open standards foster freedom of choice. The more you learn, the more potentially self-sufficient you are; running, say, Trinux, or one's own DNS server (not a caching one, but a full one) with a high-speed connection, are potentially very dangerous -- to others if their power is abused, to you if you don't take the time and effort to learn, and do it right. But the potential freedom and self-sufficiency they offer makes them very attractive to those willing to make the journey. Likewise, those who learn how to program, or learn any skill which decreases reliance on others. The more independent every individual is, the easier (and potentially, more rewarding) voluntary cooperation becomes.

1.) Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
2.) Linux NOW!
3.) Trinux: A Linux Security Toolkit
(etc.)

"So why not make a "slimmed-down" Linux for them."

I'm having a similar discussion on another front, though the issue is modular tools in general, not merely Linux.

First response is that Red Hat (and SuSE, IIRC) allow you to roll out different configurations of Linux, including some relatively basic workstation configs.

The kicker though (these aren't my words, I'm your view) is that people will frequently (often?) go for the gusto and install absolutely everything. Especially first timers. We've been told that more is more so often that "less is more" sounds false.

IMO, stripped Linux installs will be the only way to roll for a corporate desktop. The home user, however, will probably feel cheated if that's the way it's presented. However, existing products such as the Cobal Qube, Trinux, and the Netwinder are in fact tailored Linux distros, so you're predicting the past to a certain extent.

Things will work out eventually.