Gizmo Turns Old PCs Into Linux-Based Thin Clients

An anonymous reader writes "LinuxDevices has published an article about the 'PC Reviver', a small device that replaces hard drives in aging computers with a solid-state flash memory drive that boots an embedded Linux OS. The 'revived' computer can then be used as a thin-client network appliance for Citrix, Windows, Linux, and/or browser-based server-centric computing networks."

Comments

I can do that

[Apreche]

Take a Compact Flash card, put it in a very simple converter that allows it to be put directly into an IDE slot sans ribbon cable. Mount it, partition it, format it. Build custom linux system on it, possibly based on knoppix. Put a whole bunch of kernel in there with not a lot of userspace. Use dd to make a bunch more of these things.

The only difference is I don't think compact flash drives are solid state.

Re:Pointless

[renehollan]

What exactly does this do that someone who understands the concept couldn't put together themselves?

Save them the time to roll a flash-friendly distro?

The advantages?

[polyp2000]

It seems to me that the "advantages" for this thing are its ease of installation. Literally a "Plug'N'Play" linux with a few nifty tools thrown in to make use as a thin-client a little simpler.

I dont think its anything that a reasonably experienced linux user couldnt set up on a usb flash "ala - Mandrake-Move" (cept those older Pentium Class PC's will probably not have USB slots. They seem to be claiming the flash drive has fast boot times. Older 4gb drives might not be comparably quick (although I doubt this there are probably other reasons other than RPM and data-seek times) that make their solution nice and quick.

Now what would be really really nice, is to see something like this using one of those tiny hitachi 4gb numbers....

Nick ...

Re:I don't get it

[SpaceLifeForm]

Even cheaper, burn a Knoppix CD.

Not really pointless, but expensive

[jbarr]

To some, this may seem pointless, but if it's truely plug-and-play, it could be a boon for many applications.

At home, I have several "older" computers with Windows installed, and they are pretty much used exclusivly as "Remote Desktop termianls" accessing a "server". Being able to eliminate Windows in favor of a quick-booting system would certainly be welcome. And never having to worry about local configuration, local backups, etc. again would be welcome.

But yes, for $150.00, I could set something up myself, but not everyone is as tech-savvy.

Anyone know of a good "do-it-yourself" alternative?

A Solution in Search of Problem?

[rueger]

This strikes me as one of those neat solutions that sadly won't find a market.

A few years ago, when a new business class PC would run the better part of two thousand bucks, this would make sense. In today's corporate setting a new PC with Windows licence wouldn't cost significantly more than than the PC Reviver.

If your existing stock of PCs are old enough that this is the only way of making them useful, what other hardware failures are looming?

Re:Pointless

[llefler]

Save them the time to roll a flash-friendly distro?

Exactly. I have several spare 128m CF cards for my camera. I have the IDE adapter that I bought over a year ago. But I never seem to have time to put together the OS to run on it.

Just need to get a minimal config to run rdesktop, xterm, and VNC. But you also need to mount /home to a network drive and move /var either to the network or RAM. Knoppix might be a good start, but it's way too big and would need remastered.

It hasn't been a priority, but it would be nice to have a PC/Terminal with no moving parts. Unfortunately, $150 is too much for a hobby project I really don't need. (just want)