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Free PC With French Broadband Connection
robson writes "Neuf Cegetel announced the purchase of AOL France, an ISP that counts 500,000 broadband subscribers and the arrival of 'the box,' an Internet access terminal. Code-name: Easy Gate.
It's a computer, working under the Linux OS. It's a router. It's a DSL modem. It's also a telephone. All in one.
Easy Gate will be available from November, the actual 'box' consists of: an Intel 852 GM, 6 ports USB 2.0, 512 Mb of RAM and 512 Mb of Flash memory."
I read the topic as Free PC with French Bread Connection
French Fries
French Cuisine
French AOL
Boy, with this order of invention, things seem to be going downhill!
...French ready to surrender to linux, film at 11!
So it's basicly a company giving away a free low quality Dell PC.. not a bad deal but I expect they'll wan tyou ro return it when you end the service as is the deal with my "free" router.
I like muppets.
Sounds pretty cool. Available in US?
It's a computer, working under the Linux OS. It's a router. It's a DSL modem. It's also a telephone. All in one. Easy Gate will be available from November, the actual 'box' consists of: an Intel 852 GM, 6 ports USB 2.0, 512 Mb of RAM and 512 Mb of Flash memory."
I hope it's secure. I don't need SPAM from 500K new sources.
A win for Linux? Maybe encourage more mainstream plugin and webapp development? It's France and EU turf so it looks like a good thing on the surface.
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
..Using the French Connection....
Hmm... considering AOL is not the cheapest, certainly not the best and by far not the most reliable service, and that box costs about a box of ciggies on the 2nd hand market, my guess would be that the TCOO is by far lower with another provider and a bought box after less than a year.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
They are offering a very good deal with their service, i would like to know how much it costs for it monthly and what type of speeds would you get on the broadband connection?
.:[ Ultra Hits Radio ]:. [ All of Today's Hit Music ] www.ultrahitsradio.com
My toaster runs on linux and has Brodband
For all of the French broadband users here.
No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
The fact that it's linux means the slashdoters will love it, the fact that it's AOL they will hate it. The sheer conflict in the minds of the slashdot readers will cause more than one head to pop.
Also, what kind of a name is "America OnLine France"? Shouldn't it be "France OnLine"? FOL? Hmmm....
This space intentionally left blank.
Anybody know what distro this beasty runs?
Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
I wonder what distro they'll use. A custom one, perhaps?
Basilisk Digital
Code-name: Easy Gate. It's a computer, working under the Linux OS. It's a router. It's a DSL modem. It's also a telephone. All in one.
Well, so then it's not a "free PC", it's a "free internet access terminal". I doubt anyone's going to be running half-life or photoshop on that thing.
The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
It's a good thing that the French have montiors lying around the house even though they don't own a computer, otherwise this deal wouldn't be that great.
After AOL realised that there was no gold left in france they packed up their prospector costumes and their picks, sold out, and moved onto the next country. Boy, you sure know when a companys in it neck deep.
> If I had known for sure I was going to be first post, I would have put in "frist psot woot."
You're obviously accustomed to failure with made you cautious which made you FAIL. Better luck with your next failure because you're destined to fail like the miserable failure you are.
That's it. I'm moving to France.
The French had something like this long before the Internet became commercially available: Minitel. It was wildly popular because the device was given to subscribers for free.
Interestingly enough, that word in French can also be translated to be "Maginot Line".
This sounds much better than the Free Dell you can get when you sign up for Teuls High speed here in Canada (alberta)
$DO || ! $DO ; try(); > try: command not found
Shouldn't that be FOL then?
Je ne peux pas installer des jeux vidéo sur la machine.
Luddites pour toujours !
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
- Intel 852 GM
- 6 USB 2.0 Ports
- 512 MB RAM
- 512 MB Flash Memory
That Intel card is a decent graphics card, good enough for web browsing, and 6 USB ports are great. 512 MB of RAM is pretty good, but only 512 MB of storage space (with the flash memory)? I'm assuming this won't have a hard drive, considering that it's free and there's no mention of one. You can't even install Ubuntu (or similar) on this! All you'll get is a stripped down KDE or GNOME environment with Firefox/Konqueror and Kopete/Gaim (I'm assuming so much at least). You couldn't even have space for documents. Sure, there are USB ports, but flash drives aren't good enough for bulk storage, and external hard drives are just bulky. I know this is meant as a web browsing tool, and nothing more. Worse yet if that the second anyone has an issue with this, they'll most likely blame Linux. You would never see Windows on a PC like this, so people would just assume that Linux is just a step behind Windows. This is far from the free computer everyone has been expecting.It's nice to see the French using Linux here, though I guess it may seem in a clearer decision in light of current Microsoft/EU tensions. The best part is probably the way French people say "Leenoox" which we'll now hear more often than ever.
This is a really cool innovation for French people too leftist to run Microsoft but too poor to own a Mac, following in the proud tradition of Minitel -- which, humble as it may seem in retrospect, was pretty cool if you happened to be a Canadian teenager who'd never heard of the Internet before when he first saw the network in action. Ahem.
My question: does it have an integrated bidet?
These stories are free but worth money.
If all of you Francophobes could untwist your shorts for a minute, you might realize that this is pretty much an updated version of the Minitel, which most geeks thought was pretty damn cool back in the days of expensive 300 baud dialup.
Besides, it runs Linux.
Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
When did this happen? I would love to convert a few people over to linux/bsd/etc but they are tied to AOL so they are pretty much stuck with windows.
Can this be done here in the US somehow?
---- Booth was a patriot ----
... and if it were American it would have the smoke screen of lies...
Another instance of bubblepack computing(like the gumstix, socket pc, OLPC etc.). So cheap it's a giveaway/impulse buy, Linux based with zero maintainence/zero service. Sure, not a gaming rig, but sufficent to do the primary functions of a PC these days websurfing and light office functions. Not likely to be a primary machine, but an excellent kitchen/bedroom terminal, perfect for hotel/public terminal axcess. While they won't replace the present PC they will crowd them out just as PCs did to mini's. /. crowd starts modding bubblepack computing for specialized apps (wardriving, geolocation, picture frames)
What will be interesting will be when the
It kinda looks like a frying pan with a LED timer. I'm a fan of french fries!
my capcha was condom
http://promo.telus.com/tm/06/q3/highspeed/?BAC-cs0 6q3HSpeed&link=flames
Free Dell Dimension 1100.
It may not be a router, phone and modem all in one, and it certainly doesn't run Linux, but it's also a complete PC.
I'm gonna pop that lid top and steam me some rice in that baby. Yeaaaahhhhh... at last Linux has gone BEYOND TOASTERS.
Cwm, fjord-bank glyphs vext quiz
Specs-wise, though, it sounds about comparable to a Nintendo Wii.
Wow - A Full 500 huh?
ROTFL Why anonymously? That was FUNNY.
"No fear. No envy. No meanness." Liam Clancy
And as long as it pokes at America and not France, it will not get modded flamebait.
Linux is pretty well suited to this model of operation. It can be stripped to a reduced configuration. Since most people won't be doing very complicated things on the device itself, the "Linux-ness" of the device should not become a usability issue for most people.
Engineering is the art of compromise.
For those of you who can read french, here is the official annoucement :
C egetel_lance_Easy_Neuf_et_invente_l_Easy_Gate_la_p remiere__box__associant_l_acces_a_l_Internet_haut_ debit_et_les_principales_fonctionnalites_d_un_ordi nateur.html
0 76782
http://www.groupeneufcegetel.fr/html/Presse/Neuf_
They say it is an all-in-one service that will include the PC, the LCD screen, mouse, keyboard and webcam. Internet service (up to 8Mbits). Applications including web browser, e-mail reader/writer, instant messaging, an office suite and a multimedia reader. Security features will include a firewall, anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-popup and parental control. An easy to use interface and tutorials on how to use the internet. Support will be included and provided by Neuf Cegetel and they can remotly connect to the computer for easy troubleshooting plus updates will be automatically downloaded.
The distro is a custom one but all sources will be available on their website !
Seems better to me then a Windows PC...
Hi-res pics : http://www.neufgiga.com/partage_neuf.php?folder=1
Daas
Point proven.
Good day, sirs.
I'd call mine 'Bill' :D
since he'd be my 'Gate'-way to the internet
See my art -> http://herbevore.deviantart.com
Typical Slashdot response. This computer is not meant for the average Slashdot reader. It's meant for old women who would like to browse the web or send their relatives email, but who don't want to deal with the nuisances of PC's and Windows. These people don't need a 120GB hard drive or the ability to install Ubuntu.
And no, these people will not blame Linux if things don't work right, because they probably won't even know that their computer is running Linux.
Systemd: the PulseAudio of init systems
Not even close. "150 euros & 39,95 euros per month. An extra100 euros buys a flat screen, webcam, keyboard & mouse."
It's just like your free phone when you agree to pay $60 a month for two years to your mobile company.
It's "Free" because it runs linux.
Don't you guys on slashdot get this freedom thing yet?
HUH!!!
Bahumbug! As an American I am able to laugh at jokes using American stereotypes. They're natural and unless used in an insulting or deragatory manner they're harmless. As others have noted it's...ironic, I guess?!?, taking history into consideration.
when it spawns a discussion of recycling.
Something just doesn't feel right.
Flash RAM and I assume a stripped down custom kernel means this thing is gonna boot faster than any hard drive based PC on the market. Think 10 to 15 seconds from power button to a login prompt. Consider the fact that most people think a computer is "fast" if it can boot quickly and open the programs they want in short order, not run benchmarks fast. Assuming it's got some way of pulling updates automatically, it should be leagues past other entry-level PCs in this regard. I don't see it really becoming "obsolete" in the near future either. If it's got no moving parts other than fans, it also has the potential to be quiet.
For slashdotters, this thing would be great for network multimedia storage or a personal webserver (with an external USB hard drive), for teaching people Linux, as a small portable box to run emulated games off of, hell, put a USB wireless card on and turn it into a firewall/router.
How do you like it, Bill? Eh!
My USB Key has more storage space...at least you can buy a USB hard drive though.
From the Telus site: "Get a Free DELL(TM) DIMENSION(TM) 1100 Desktop computer with TELUS High Speed Enhanced Internet on a 3 year Rate Protection plan" http://promo.telus.com/tm/06/q3/highspeed/?BAC-cs0 6q3HSpeed&link=myt
Most households almost certainly dispose of a relatively similar number of old appliances and electronics.
It makes more sense to up property taxes a hair and then provide the service to everyone in the county; much easier than trying to pick up a few dollars here and there.
I have to drive to a neighboring county and pay to get rid of crts etc because my county is so assbackwards.
The specs here aren't really important : the real geek/tinkerer gets happy coz it runs linux and on such a small form factor ... ;')
:-) and those are still pretty useable :)
:) eehehhehe....
and would promptly start to mod it/compile new software/make it do things it wasn't prepared to do
Like linux wouldn't already run very smoothly on these....there are still people with pentium 2-266 and 128mb ram with xfce and firefox and etc
By the way, here in japan almost all isps are doing the same thing, but you pay like 10,000/15,000y (hmm...98/140~USD) and you get one of those refurbished PCs, the point here guys is that the japanese society is one of the most (if not the most) consumist in the world, *refurbished* pcs here mean "1-year... 10-months used, user found a prettier box and bought it"....those refurbished are usually pentium-III 766 with 512mb ram....30gb HD and comes with a CRT and keyb/mouse if you want. Surely a temptation for any hardware geek that wanna run a lot of boxes on separate points of the house doing some pointless-but-could-be-automated-with-linux task
Yes this box looks like a big breakthrough for not so computer literate people looking for getting in touch with friends and relatives using today's technology.
However, this almost comes like shadow over the Free Telecom's new Freebox which comes with router, Wifi-MIMO connection, HD TV tuner and something like 50 free channels and a total of 200, including all the international ones like CNN, BBC and many others, a VoIP phone system with free calls to landlines all over Europe (free calls to Australia, the US and Canada for instance!)
I keep going: Possibility to watch TV on your computer using VLC or use it as a multimedia player to send video and audio stream to the box that then displays it on your TV and sends the sound to your HiFi system through the Optical connection. Ah yes also video on demand with films that you can replay and fast forward for 24hours just as a DVD.
Of course it can provide very fast Internet connection (28Mb/s), obviously runs Linux and all that comes for the ridiculous price of 30 per month (they just lend the box to you!!!)
All that to say, with such as competition on the ADSL market in France, no wonder why Neuf Cegetel is trying to catch with such an offer...
512 Megabits isn't much.
I can accept that stupid people like to moderate funny the lukewarm joke about fleeing and WW2. But insightful ??? Francophoby and prejudice run an all time high on slashdot !
By the way : easy Gate : "simple portail" in direct french translation. In french I would translate into "Accés simple" but this clearly would not be as nice a keyword as easy gate.
C. Sagan : A demon haunted world:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345409469/
visit randi.org
Good news. I think that most of slashdot, like myself, had no clue what "Maginot Line" means, and figured it was some insightful translation. I probably would have voted it insightful if I had mod points and hadn't read your commend, since I have no idea what "Maginot" means and like to pretend I reward people for being smart.
In other words, great news. we're not intentionally offensive to the french, we're just really intellectually lazy.
By any chance, could this free PC be OSX86-compatible?
:-)
It seems to have a suitable chipset family.
That would make it the cheapeast Mac ever!
nothing of interest has ever come out of Belgium.
Woody allen in his first books wrote nice jokes about holocaust.
Too bad I can't quote any of them on top of my mind right now.
To get it, you have to enroll for 12 months, pay 150E of guarantee, and then 39,90E per month.
Or you can buy it: 99EUR for the 14" screen, 429EUR for a 20".
Who will want to pay this price for a "Super Minitel"?
Anybody remember this little jewel? It didn't last very long. I'm just glad I didn't have to support it when I was at He^H^H Dell.
Friends don't let friends line-dance.
1) I never wanted to believe Gates when he said "Hardware will be free" (or something to that effect) but apparently he was right. Yes, I know it's not really "free" but to the end user it might as well be - it's now something that is just bundled with a service.
2) I remembered seeing part of a Bob Colwell (PentiumPro Cheif Architect) talk at Stanford sometime around '02 where he made a few comments about the PC & CPU industries turning into a commodity market where everyone competes on price instead of performance.
It would be interesting to look at the long-range strategic plans from Intel and AMD side-by-side and see how they're adapting to this shift.
I'd have modded you a troll for casting about ignorant aspersions regarding Windows' progs, like Half-Life and Photoshop, constituting a Personal Computer. Please crawl back under your bridge, you sheeple twit.
"octet" is widely used in french, but not only french. For instance it is used in most formal standards written in english.
The first "byte" was 4 bits long.
Check wikipedia.
Stop discussing here about assumptions. The EasyNeuf box is detailed here: http://www.easyneuf.fr/ (the first "Presentation" item in the side menu) The open-source development site will open here very soon: http://www.easyneuf.org/