Intel is producing a compiler that optimizes for Intel chips. Yup, memcpy() went south on a non-Intel chip/architecture. And, you found a work-around.
Now, how is Intel to know the alignment behaviour of OTHER (proprietary) architectures. Yup, read the docs, etc. Same as you would.
But, they are producing an optimizing compiler for the INTEL chip. Never claimed it optimized for AMD, or anything else. If you don't use the the correct target processor, I seriously think that would be your problem.
Intel does NOT have a monopoly on processors (and, if it is proven in court that they do, THIS ANALYSIS WILL CHANGE). They certainly don't have a monopoly on compilers.
I haven't seen ANY evidence that the ICC goes out of its way to crash other processors, but it CERTAINLY doesn't produce good code for them.
Be happy with Visual C++, it generates good objects across a variety of Intel and AMD processors. Note that Intels claim has been that IF you use an Intel chip, ICC will provide a performance improvement.
I think I am going to short AMD -- something is seriously amiss there...
So your Mom went to the trouble of downloading and installing 1000 programs?
Wow, that's industrious, and she should be commended.
Ignore it, and get on with your life. The CORRECT answer is, as always, that computers just get old, and slow down. There are SPECIALIZED shops that can give them a tune-up, and you don't have the equipment.
Keep repeating that. You KNOW you can't win this battle.
My SUN boxes all work this way -- no local X server at all (no video card, mouse, or keyboard, either).
And most of my Intel boxes are configured like that too. Its not particularly hard...
Used to be that the X Server itself was monolithic -- one of the reasons was to allow it to be easily removed: just erase that multi-meg thing named "X". You still wanted most of the libraries. Now its a bit trickier, but most of the X server can be easily scraped.
Is the other stuff "cruft"? Xlogo lets you try out the X libraries themselves, and xterm -- well, its the only terminal for me (yeah, I do use the tek 41xx feature, and I like the speed, and I don't like problems with curses applications, etc.).
Anyway, the idea is that the libraries will communicate with the X Server, and that the X Server itself is fairly contained and easy to wipe out.
Modifying the way they wish to present the stoy to you?
And this is bad - why?
The point of HTML was to allow it to be rendered on a variety of devices. If I look at a page with (say) lynx, I DON'T see the GIF graphics, the JPEG graphics, the TABLES, and don't here the sound; and I can forget about Flash, pop-ups/overs/unders floaters, etc.
Lynx, however, is a web browser. Your claim is that I shouldn't use it with a terminal because that renders the content in a way the author didn't intend?
Extend that to curl, wget, etc. Also, I use a TEXT-ONLY browser on my Palm with the same limitations. As well as a very small screen. I shouldn't be doing that either, I suppose.
"CodeWeavers" and "VMWare" is a "super-frickin'-duper translation layer" from Windows to Linux.
As to long term strategy?
Give me a fucking break.
Does Microsoft have a "long term strategy"? Of course they do -- but its not what you think it is. It is simply to maximize shareholder value. And if it ISN'T, I (and millions of others) would SUE them.
For $20 (ish) a month? I hope that commercials are removed. For $30 I can buy a battery powered TV that can catch regular broadcasts. A little more for LCD and pocket size.
Also... I get charged for text messaging on my mobile. Email on my mobile. "They" are kind enough to give me 100 minutes a month, and unlimited weekends talking, but the low-volume data is ALWAYS charged for.
I guess the telcos view TALK services the "loss leader" and try to make up the difference with other (specious) services.
If only I had some control on the process. But, the phones are "locked" to a service provider, who can then decide exactly what to offer.
As a for instance -- AT&T recently REMOVED the ability to do voice and data at the same time.
So, with the AT&T network, you can watch TV on your phone (I can send the data to my phone, and it can decode it), but I can't use it as a phone anymore (at least not while the TV is running).
Kind of defeats the purpose (and, it would be screamingly expensive for me do that). Of course, the provider in question could be more liberal; but I doubt it.
who cares what the riaa thinks? this is canada. second, the morality is not in question -- a levy is imposed, and the recording industry was very supportive. yes, this may cause "friction". please note that the levy is only distributed for music, but other content producers have been lobbying for a piece of the pie (which i support - i can't share my audio books and tv shows yet)
Unix is... well Unix. ifconfig, route, ping et al existed in 1994, and they still exist.
If someone asks me a question: say (this is one from the last week): How do I set my DNS server?
Ok, with Unix (not knowing if its brand x or y) I say, edit the file/etc/resolv.conf and/etc/nsswitch.conf. Don't reboot, try pinging.
Now, how do I do this on Windows X.Y? Frankly, I can do it, but I really have to poke around.
Now, the Linux system may have a GUI to assist, but I generally don't have to go there.
Having a GUI is nice, though. But I am not sure it enhances the usability of the OS. If you know what a "DNS server" is, you can probably do without the GUI. If you *don't*, its going to be a "rote edit" anyway.
I am going to recommend you stick with Fedora (I am sure that many will chime in with "use this distribution" or "use that one").
So, here goes.
Fedora...
Generally takes the same hardware requirements as Redhat.
So, that would be 64MB for a NON-GUI installation (say, a server) or headless.
For GUI, 128MB is minimal.
700Mhz CPU is just fine...
I recommend 256MB as a "sweet spot" for GUI. 64MB is fine for a file server; although 128MB is a sweet spot for console or headless operation.
You are using the machine as a file server -- so DON'T use the GUI.
Edit file/etc/inittab, and change the line "id:5:initdefault:" to "id:3:initdefault".
This will make your machine come up in console mode.
You probably don't need multiple consoles -- so save some memory:
A little further down in the file you will see 6 lines like:
"1:2345:respawn:/sbin/mingetty tty1"
They differ in the first and last digits. Comment out (add a # in front) all lines, except the first one. This will remove all virtual consoles, except one.
Ensure that ssh is started "/sbin/service sshd status" (and "start" if it isn't on already). Also, add sshd to the programs that start at boot: "/sbin/chkconfig sshd on"
Now, you can ssh into the machine, and do GUI configuration (X will be forwarded automagically). Remove the keyboard, mouse and monitor. This is a file server, and doesn't need them.
Review other services - the fileserver can also do local NTP, but I wouldn't recommend CUPS and print services unless you use 128MB (for Ghostscript).
Tying biometrics with Copyright Material, with network verifications....
This assumes that ANYBODY who wants to buy material (movies) also has an "always on" internet connection.
Not true.
This assumes that the purchaser is the end user.
Not true.
This assumes the replacement of millions of DVD players.
Not true (unless extra features are supplied - eg HD DVD).
The assumes that First Sale rights will be eliminated, and people won't notice.
Not true (even Blockbuster "buys back" DVDs).
Schools, institutions and libraries won't be able to purchase the material -- it will be useless to them. Not even families (hey, *I* buy Lion King, but the *kids* load it and watch it -- and I am not even necessarily in town).
Individuals only.
The product sold (well, not sold in this case) has less value. It should cost a lot less. In which case it MIGHT play. Effective pricing? If I can currently purchase a movie for $20, and I can sell the movie to Blockbuster for $5, the new format can cost no more than $15.
Further, the inability to use as a gift item means it is purely a personal purchase (even the kids can't use it). My wife sets my "discretionary foolish purchase" limit at $10. So, it can't be more than $10.
Now, I expect them to subsidize part of my Internet bill. Knock off a couple of bucks for that, as well as an incentive to purchase a new player.
There you go; I am willing to spend $5 for a new movie in that format -- TOPS.
Well... it *is* possible for 2 clients who are both behind NAT firewalls to initiate connections to each other...
But, that isn't the point.
BitTorrent requires inbound connections for the client. So, you are going to have that set up anyway. If you *don't* have it set up, you will get VERY SLOW speed. And if you do have it set up, nothing really changes. You can publish information in one less step (which is a Good Thing(tm)).
It is really my little digital assistant. No, I DON'T have a laptop computer, and really have no need. The Palms battery life is much better, and it is small enough to go with me.
I back data up to a 512MB SD card (that in turn is backed up on my desktop computer). I use a wireless 802.11b sled for synching, and have an "emergency" USB charging/sync cable that cost me $2 (which means that if I know I am going somewhere on a trip where a computer is available, I can leave the charger at home.)
Since I need a calculator with graphing anyway, I find the m505 to be smaller, and comparable, and it does much more besides.
With doubled screen resolution and built-in WiFi, I could almost replace most desktop use with the device as well. So I *am* interested in the newest offerings (note that the Zaurus was just too large! Although it CAN replace desktop use for me -- I tried it).
Most desired missing feature (of the m505) -- MP3 playback.
I don't like the idea of a hard drive in the unit though... I would rather carry a couple of SD sticks.
Laptops? In my opinion, generally a waste of time. You can't take them with you all the time, so they cannot be a ubiquitous information appliance. Plus, the battery life is rarely good enough to get you coast-to-coast. And, its one more bulky item to carry.
If allofmp3 has the right to sell, you have the right to buy.
And, since you have certain rights, you can, in turn, RESELL what was purchased from allofmp3.
A legal opportunity -- resell allofmp3 purchased bits. Just mark it up a nickel, and let it go -- make sure you erase it, though. Now, if you get appropriate permission (like, get allofmp3 to install the thing), you may be able to use a cacheing server locally. The local server meters downloads, and you send a check to allofmp3, keeping the vig.
$5 for 60GB of MP3 compressed music (based on common download cap).
If I *download nothing* and *sell* my capacity (that is worth $5 per 60GB), I can then value 10,000 songs uploaded at $5.
Per month. And it doesn't matter if it is 10,000 copies of one song, or 10,000 different songs.
I might do this, just for grins -- simply turn around the request to the Yahoo! service. And, I can cache the connection, can I not? Just a long as I am brokering this.
I buy for $5 per month, and I am giving the results away.
Now, say I give the results away -- how is that worth more than $5? Oh, you say, trebble damages apply -- ok, here's your $15 for the month -- leave me alone (First Sale Doctrine holds, doesn't it? It's under Copyright law).
SMC Barricade Wireless, with printer port. Printer attached is a Deskjet 520, rescued from a dumpster. The Wireless router cost me $20 new.
A Compaq Deskpro, 400Mhz PII with 128MB. Again, a rescue, although a new hard disk (40GB) did cost a bit.
A DLink 80211.b to Ethernet converter. Attached to a IBM PC365 dual Pentium Pro 200, with 128MB. Which has two ethernet interfaces. The second one attached to a 750Mhz Duron with 512MB. Which in turn has external USB hard drives for backups. And a multi-flash reader.
The Pentium Pro box also has tape backup. Old Travan-1, and I have plenty of tapes.
The kids have an old Pentium 166 to play games like Freddy Fish on. Its not networked.
Total value - maybe $200 if I got real lucky.
But it all works, and works well. Each computer has a purpose - the Deskpro is primarily used by my spouse for grading, web surfing and email. The PC365 anchors shared files, my own email domain, and some other external stuff. The Duron is used for program development.
Some other odds 'n sodds - a Creative IR controller (serial) to control music playback. An old external touchpad, because I find it more useable than most mice. Old IBM M-series keyboards, because they make me happy.
All chosen for function and cheapness. I don't buy new kit anymore (except hard drives).
Vendor has custom hardware, that (say) has flash on it.
Decides to use Linux as the OS... The flash is preloaded with an updater and linux.
Of *course* the vendor puts the source for Linux on her site -- why not?
What is kept proprietary are the tools needed to generate and sign the flash load.
Now, you COULD try to reprogram the flash, by "cracking" the Linux installation, and reprogramming the hardware. But, if it breaks -- you own both pieces.
Slashdot Mirror
m50d
So, there is a standards body that defines "IA-32"? News to me.
"Intel Architecture, 32 bit"
You want standards? Go with the SPARC. IEEE 1754-1994 would be the relevant standard you are looking for.
Notably, it DOESN'T stand for
"Industry Architecture, 32 bit"
Ratboy
And mod it up. Way up.
I mean, AMD is way out of line here.
There is neither malice, nor stupidity at work here, except on AMDs part. And AMD *has* an out -- work out their own compiler technology.
Ratboy.
What a Maroon!
Intel is producing a compiler that optimizes for Intel chips. Yup, memcpy() went south on a non-Intel chip/architecture. And, you found a work-around.
Now, how is Intel to know the alignment behaviour of OTHER (proprietary) architectures. Yup, read the docs, etc. Same as you would.
But, they are producing an optimizing compiler for the INTEL chip. Never claimed it optimized for AMD, or anything else. If you don't use the the correct target processor, I seriously think that would be your problem.
Intel does NOT have a monopoly on processors (and, if it is proven in court that they do, THIS ANALYSIS WILL CHANGE). They certainly don't have a monopoly on compilers.
I haven't seen ANY evidence that the ICC goes out of its way to crash other processors, but it CERTAINLY doesn't produce good code for them.
Be happy with Visual C++, it generates good objects across a variety of Intel and AMD processors. Note that Intels claim has been that IF you use an Intel chip, ICC will provide a performance improvement.
I think I am going to short AMD -- something is seriously amiss there...
Ratboy.
The "spec" doesn't prohibit -- the consortium simply wants all non-encrypted output to be decimated- down to SD quality.
And only from marked input.
"They" are most afraid of component, because it isn't encrypted.
Which, for me, blows chunks. My HD set (Hitachi 42") ONLY supports component in.
And yes, I claim some responsibility: I did the horizontal/vertical decimation filter for one of the TV chip vendors.
Ratboy.
So your Mom went to the trouble of downloading and installing 1000 programs?
Wow, that's industrious, and she should be commended.
Ignore it, and get on with your life. The CORRECT answer is, as always, that computers just get old, and slow down. There are SPECIALIZED shops that can give them a tune-up, and you don't have the equipment.
Keep repeating that. You KNOW you can't win this battle.
Ratboy.
I am not sure I follow...
My SUN boxes all work this way -- no local X server at all (no video card, mouse, or keyboard, either).
And most of my Intel boxes are configured like that too. Its not particularly hard...
Used to be that the X Server itself was monolithic -- one of the reasons was to allow it to be easily removed: just erase that multi-meg thing named "X". You still wanted most of the libraries. Now its a bit trickier, but most of the X server can be easily scraped.
Is the other stuff "cruft"? Xlogo lets you try out the X libraries themselves, and xterm -- well, its the only terminal for me (yeah, I do use the tek 41xx feature, and I like the speed, and I don't like problems with curses applications, etc.).
Anyway, the idea is that the libraries will communicate with the X Server, and that the X Server itself is fairly contained and easy to wipe out.
So, not a big job at all.
Ratboy.
Modifying the way they wish to present the stoy to you?
And this is bad - why?
The point of HTML was to allow it to be rendered on a variety of devices. If I look at a page with (say) lynx, I DON'T see the GIF graphics, the JPEG graphics, the TABLES, and don't here the sound; and I can forget about Flash, pop-ups/overs/unders floaters, etc.
Lynx, however, is a web browser. Your claim is that I shouldn't use it with a terminal because that renders the content in a way the author didn't intend?
Extend that to curl, wget, etc. Also, I use a TEXT-ONLY browser on my Palm with the same limitations. As well as a very small screen. I shouldn't be doing that either, I suppose.
I haven't even gotten around to adblock yet...
I guess I'll stop browsing the web then - NOT!
Ratboy.
MOST free content on the web is supported by advertising?
Come on, that's... (charitably) WRONG.
MOST of the content on the web is on the edge; supplied by individuals. And that's where the growth is, too.
Just look at how much BitTorrent traffic is carried.
Ratboy
No, not home machine -- I would have gone fedora core in that case.
Good luck with the migration.
Ratboy
"CodeWeavers" and "VMWare" is a "super-frickin'-duper translation layer" from Windows to Linux.
As to long term strategy?
Give me a fucking break.
Does Microsoft have a "long term strategy"? Of course they do -- but its not what you think it is. It is simply to maximize shareholder value. And if it ISN'T, I (and millions of others) would SUE them.
Linux? Simply to be an OS. A useful commodity OS.
What is YOUR long term strategy?
Ratboy
GNOME *may* owe its existence to being a replacement for KDE.
But...
- It draws "better" Less pixels refreshed, which means its better remoted than KDE.
- Its object model is CORBA. More widely supported.
- Just my opinion, but it just looks better.
- Easily locked down desktops
Ratboy
Stor
I *you* want to support RH8.0 on fedoralegacy, go ahead and volunteer.
Personally, 8.0 -> 9 was painless, I tried it and didn't have any problems (its the same OS, pretty much).
At the time, I couldn't figure out WHY RH bothered with RH9, instead of just doing RH8.1 (.2, whatever).
It *should* have been a point release.
I recommend that you TAKE the point release 8.0 -> 9, then use fedoralegacy support.
YMMV
Ratboy
Way to read!
The article stated that the machines would have to be replaced.
Of course, they were still running, so I don't know why the school could not have have continued with Windows and Office 97.
As to your "car" anaolgy -- well IT sucks!
Unless the 2005 Toyota Camry is free.
Ratboy
Ok, TV on a mobile is (marginally) cool.
For $20 (ish) a month? I hope that commercials are removed. For $30 I can buy a battery powered TV that can catch regular broadcasts. A little more for LCD and pocket size.
Also... I get charged for text messaging on my mobile. Email on my mobile. "They" are kind enough to give me 100 minutes a month, and unlimited weekends talking, but the low-volume data is ALWAYS charged for.
I guess the telcos view TALK services the "loss leader" and try to make up the difference with other (specious) services.
If only I had some control on the process. But, the phones are "locked" to a service provider, who can then decide exactly what to offer.
As a for instance -- AT&T recently REMOVED the ability to do voice and data at the same time.
So, with the AT&T network, you can watch TV on your phone (I can send the data to my phone, and it can decode it), but I can't use it as a phone anymore (at least not while the TV is running).
Kind of defeats the purpose (and, it would be screamingly expensive for me do that). Of course, the provider in question could be more liberal; but I doubt it.
Anyone have experience with the provider?
Ratboy
who cares what the riaa thinks? this is canada. second, the morality is not in question -- a levy is imposed, and the recording industry was very supportive. yes, this may cause "friction". please note that the levy is only distributed for music, but other content producers have been lobbying for a piece of the pie (which i support - i can't share my audio books and tv shows yet)
ratboy
Except that this isn't really a math problem...
I would assign this as a first-year Scheme assignment.
YMMV
Rarboy
Ok, let's take this in pieces...
/etc/resolv.conf and /etc/nsswitch.conf. Don't reboot, try pinging.
Unix is... well Unix. ifconfig, route, ping et al existed in 1994, and they still exist.
If someone asks me a question: say (this is one from the last week): How do I set my DNS server?
Ok, with Unix (not knowing if its brand x or y) I say, edit the file
Now, how do I do this on Windows X.Y? Frankly, I can do it, but I really have to poke around.
Now, the Linux system may have a GUI to assist, but I generally don't have to go there.
Having a GUI is nice, though. But I am not sure it enhances the usability of the OS. If you know what a "DNS server" is, you can probably do without the GUI. If you *don't*, its going to be a "rote edit" anyway.
YMMV
Ratboy
I am going to recommend you stick with Fedora (I am sure that many will chime in with "use this distribution" or "use that one").
/etc/inittab, and change the line "id:5:initdefault:" to "id:3:initdefault".
So, here goes.
Fedora...
Generally takes the same hardware requirements as Redhat.
So, that would be 64MB for a NON-GUI installation (say, a server) or headless.
For GUI, 128MB is minimal.
700Mhz CPU is just fine...
I recommend 256MB as a "sweet spot" for GUI. 64MB is fine for a file server; although 128MB is a sweet spot for console or headless operation.
You are using the machine as a file server -- so DON'T use the GUI.
Edit file
This will make your machine come up in console mode.
You probably don't need multiple consoles -- so save some memory:
A little further down in the file you will see 6 lines like:
"1:2345:respawn:/sbin/mingetty tty1"
They differ in the first and last digits. Comment out (add a # in front) all lines, except the first one. This will remove all virtual consoles, except one.
Ensure that ssh is started "/sbin/service sshd status" (and "start" if it isn't on already). Also, add sshd to the programs that start at boot: "/sbin/chkconfig sshd on"
Now, you can ssh into the machine, and do GUI configuration (X will be forwarded automagically). Remove the keyboard, mouse and monitor. This is a file server, and doesn't need them.
Review other services - the fileserver can also do local NTP, but I wouldn't recommend CUPS and print services unless you use 128MB (for Ghostscript).
Ratboy
Tying biometrics with Copyright Material, with network verifications....
This assumes that ANYBODY who wants to buy material (movies) also has an "always on" internet connection.
Not true.
This assumes that the purchaser is the end user.
Not true.
This assumes the replacement of millions of DVD players.
Not true (unless extra features are supplied - eg HD DVD).
The assumes that First Sale rights will be eliminated, and people won't notice.
Not true (even Blockbuster "buys back" DVDs).
Schools, institutions and libraries won't be able to purchase the material -- it will be useless to them. Not even families (hey, *I* buy Lion King, but the *kids* load it and watch it -- and I am not even necessarily in town).
Individuals only.
The product sold (well, not sold in this case) has less value. It should cost a lot less. In which case it MIGHT play. Effective pricing? If I can currently purchase a movie for $20, and I can sell the movie to Blockbuster for $5, the new format can cost no more than $15.
Further, the inability to use as a gift item means it is purely a personal purchase (even the kids can't use it). My wife sets my "discretionary foolish purchase" limit at $10. So, it can't be more than $10.
Now, I expect them to subsidize part of my Internet bill. Knock off a couple of bucks for that, as well as an incentive to purchase a new player.
There you go; I am willing to spend $5 for a new movie in that format -- TOPS.
Will that play?
Ratboy
Well... it *is* possible for 2 clients who are both behind NAT firewalls to initiate connections to each other...
But, that isn't the point.
BitTorrent requires inbound connections for the client. So, you are going to have that set up anyway. If you *don't* have it set up, you will get VERY SLOW speed. And if you do have it set up, nothing really changes. You can publish information in one less step (which is a Good Thing(tm)).
(define (sig) (display "Ratboy"))
Currently, a Palm m505. The biggest feature that wins it for me over a laptop is that the Palm DOES go everywhere with me.
Uses:
1 - Graphing scientific calculator. And, yes, I need one.
2 - Calendar. Very important to me.
3 - Address book, phone numbers.
4 - Project Planning and tracking
5 - Note taking in meetings.
6 - Laying out simple circuits. Simple C and Scheme code (it is remarkably useful for that)
7 - Some recreational - dive planning/logging. Grocery lists, shopping lists, reminders.
It is really my little digital assistant. No, I DON'T have a laptop computer, and really have no need. The Palms battery life is much better, and it is small enough to go with me.
I back data up to a 512MB SD card (that in turn is backed up on my desktop computer). I use a wireless 802.11b sled for synching, and have an "emergency" USB charging/sync cable that cost me $2 (which means that if I know I am going somewhere on a trip where a computer is available, I can leave the charger at home.)
Since I need a calculator with graphing anyway, I find the m505 to be smaller, and comparable, and it does much more besides.
With doubled screen resolution and built-in WiFi, I could almost replace most desktop use with the device as well. So I *am* interested in the newest offerings (note that the Zaurus was just too large! Although it CAN replace desktop use for me -- I tried it).
Most desired missing feature (of the m505) -- MP3 playback.
I don't like the idea of a hard drive in the unit though... I would rather carry a couple of SD sticks.
Laptops? In my opinion, generally a waste of time. You can't take them with you all the time, so they cannot be a ubiquitous information appliance. Plus, the battery life is rarely good enough to get you coast-to-coast. And, its one more bulky item to carry.
Ratboy.
If allofmp3 has the right to sell, you have the right to buy.
And, since you have certain rights, you can, in turn, RESELL what was purchased from allofmp3.
A legal opportunity -- resell allofmp3 purchased bits. Just mark it up a nickel, and let it go -- make sure you erase it, though. Now, if you get appropriate permission (like, get allofmp3 to install the thing), you may be able to use a cacheing server locally. The local server meters downloads, and you send a check to allofmp3, keeping the vig.
Ratboy.
Wrong calculation...
$5 for 60GB of MP3 compressed music (based on common download cap).
If I *download nothing* and *sell* my capacity (that is worth $5 per 60GB), I can then value 10,000 songs uploaded at $5.
Per month. And it doesn't matter if it is 10,000 copies of one song, or 10,000 different songs.
I might do this, just for grins -- simply turn around the request to the Yahoo! service.
And, I can cache the connection, can I not? Just a long as I am brokering this.
I buy for $5 per month, and I am giving the results away.
Now, say I give the results away -- how is that worth more than $5? Oh, you say, trebble damages apply -- ok, here's your $15 for the month -- leave me alone (First Sale Doctrine holds, doesn't it? It's under Copyright law).
Ratboy.
I am a computer geek.
This is what is in my home:
SMC Barricade Wireless, with printer port. Printer attached is a Deskjet 520, rescued from a dumpster. The Wireless router cost me $20 new.
A Compaq Deskpro, 400Mhz PII with 128MB. Again, a rescue, although a new hard disk (40GB) did cost a bit.
A DLink 80211.b to Ethernet converter. Attached to a IBM PC365 dual Pentium Pro 200, with 128MB. Which has two ethernet interfaces. The second one attached to a 750Mhz Duron with 512MB. Which in turn has external USB hard drives for backups. And a multi-flash reader.
The Pentium Pro box also has tape backup. Old Travan-1, and I have plenty of tapes.
The kids have an old Pentium 166 to play games like Freddy Fish on. Its not networked.
Total value - maybe $200 if I got real lucky.
But it all works, and works well. Each computer has a purpose - the Deskpro is primarily used by my spouse for grading, web surfing and email. The PC365 anchors shared files, my own email domain, and some other external stuff. The Duron is used for program development.
Some other odds 'n sodds - a Creative IR controller (serial) to control music playback. An old external touchpad, because I find it more useable than most mice. Old IBM M-series keyboards, because they make me happy.
All chosen for function and cheapness. I don't buy new kit anymore (except hard drives).
Ratboy.
More to the point...
Vendor has custom hardware, that (say) has flash on it.
Decides to use Linux as the OS... The flash is preloaded with an updater and linux.
Of *course* the vendor puts the source for Linux on her site -- why not?
What is kept proprietary are the tools needed to generate and sign the flash load.
Now, you COULD try to reprogram the flash, by "cracking" the Linux installation, and reprogramming the hardware. But, if it breaks -- you own both pieces.
Ratboy