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What to Do With a $99 Wall Wart Linux Server

Posted by kdawson on from the best-computer-is-an-invisible-computer dept.

Guanine writes in with a follow-up to our discussion a few months back on the SheevaPlug: 1.2-GHz ARM-compliant processor, 512 MB DDR2, 512 MB flash, USB 2.0, gigabit ethernet, in a package the size of a wall wart, for $99. Saul Hansell's Bits Blog in the NY Times talks about a few applications for such a device, whose price point Hansell claims will drop to $40 before too long. "The first plausible use for the plug computer is to attach one of these gizmos to a USB hard drive. Voila, you've got a network server. Cloud Engines, a startup, has in fact built a $99 plug computer called Pogoplug, that will let you share the files on your hard drive, not only in your home but also anywhere on the Internet. ... [Marvell's CEO said] 'Eventually you won't see the plug. We want this device to be in your TV, your stereo system, your DVD player.'"

19 of 346 comments (clear)

  1. Am I the only one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    that thought Wal Mart was selling linux servers?

    1. Re:Am I the only one... by Minwee · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nope. I was also very confused when I read that one server could fit into a package the size of a Wal-Mart.

    2. Re:Am I the only one... by spacefiddle · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yeah, guilty as well. Although it wouldn't be $99, it would be $96.32

      --
      That which does not kill us makes us... st
    3. Re:Am I the only one... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Nope...I was rushing to Wall Wart to buy one until I realized there are none WallWart here were I live.

    4. Re:Am I the only one... by cayenne8 · · Score: 1, Funny
      "Am I the only Slashdot reader who isn't dyslexic?"

      Dyslexics of the world Untie!!!!

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    5. Re:Am I the only one... by BLQWME · · Score: 2, Funny

      on

      --
      "Nobody shoots anybody in the face unless you're a hit man or a video gamer"- Jack Thompson
    6. Re:Am I the only one... by Aranykai · · Score: 2, Funny

      No, walmart promo items always end with 88 cents. Unless they are clearance, in which case it will be 50 or 00.

      --
      If sharing a song makes you a pirate, what do I have to share to be a ninja?
  2. Bad Case of Wall Warts? by eldavojohn · · Score: 4, Funny

    What to Do With a $99 Wall Wart

    Wall warts are usually nothing to be concerned about unless they grow or spread rapidly. Usually you can just freeze 'em off--just be sure to get all the abnormal growth cells. It's a common wall growth caused by HPV (Hewlett Packard Virus).

    Linux Server

    Your warts are functioning as Linux servers? You may need to see a specialist ... and until you get that checked I would refrain from any prolonged exposure to GPL software.

    Count yourself lucky, it could be worse. My friend once had a case of $10,000 Server Room Herpes Microsoft Servers that kept him up all night ... not something you want on your resume.

    I applaud anyone who successfully markets this product ... the name is a bit of an obstacle. "Wall Hugger" or "Plug Pal" or even "Linux Lump" might have been more prudent for coining.

    --
    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:Bad Case of Wall Warts? by Arthur+Grumbine · · Score: 4, Funny

      ...even "Linux Lump" might have been more prudent for coining.

      Yeah... then when you create your Beowulf cluster of these you can sing all about your lumps, your "lovely linux lumps".

      --
      Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure everything I just said is completely wrong.
    2. Re:Bad Case of Wall Warts? by __aasqbs9791 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm afraid to look online to see if Plug Pal is already trademarked.

  3. Looks like pogoplug... by chrisbtoo · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... are using one to host their website.

    --
    Registering accounts later than some other chrisb since 1997
  4. free food by thegreatemu · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've been trying to come up with a way to install a webcam somewhere in the department lounge so I can be the first to know when free food shows up...

  5. they do make USB Hubs by kneemoe · · Score: 2, Funny

    are you serious? you're going to complain about the fact that its only got 1 USB port? Is this 1996 and we're still learning how USB works?

    --
    My Sig Sucks
  6. Re:Wall wart, not WalMart by mangu · · Score: 4, Funny

    Scary, isn't it, how a corporation's name can get that ingrained in one's head that anything similar immediately looks like it?

    That's what I think every time I see a mention to GM food

  7. Re:Wall wart, not WalMart by JWSmythe · · Score: 2, Funny

        Would that be Chevrolet corn, or Pontiac beef?

        I'd worry about the Oldsmobile green. It's made from old people.

       

    --
    Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
  8. Re:Automatic FRIST POST generator? by omeomi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why bother when you have a legion of idiots willing to do it for free?

    --
    ZuluPad, the wiki notepad on crack
  9. Re:Could this save power? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Does your wife know about these "years' worth of photos that we wouldn't keep on the individual laptops"?

  10. Re:Wall wart, not WalMart by johannesg · · Score: 2, Funny

    Same here. I was already thinking that a computer the size of a Wallmart might be a bit too large for my house...

  11. Re:These things are largely useless by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    AC writes: I'd rather OpenBSD.
    I've found it to be better for me personally, as well as others, to not be a sanctimonious, supercilious asshole. Give it a try!