Almost every Linux distribution can manage this without any problem.
Not wanting to sound like flamebait, but my last PC ran Debian for some time (no ubuntu then) had a few no-too-well-supported components on it, so i had to hack a few.prefs files to get it working.
I changed the update list so i could download the latest version of a piece of software i NEEDED, then hell broke loose in the form of an unexpected update (more of a service pack, it'd been that long:P). Several components no-longer worked on my machine and all my.prefs files had been reset.
I was able to get it all working again, but its proof that it can happen on a Linux box. You cannot expect the average "M$" user to be able to do something like this with their windows system. So refusing to give a service pack to users that cannot run without hacking might just be the best thing to do sometimes.
Why do you insist people still have to pay $15-$20 for a "CD" or $.99 for a "song"?
You should come to Australia (the one with Kangaroos - not snow), with the exception of one franchise I frequent, most recent albums cost $30-$40 here. Even Trent Reznor complained about the pricing here. That is something to complain about!
Actually it would probably be possible to link a firewire plug to a small wireless adaptor via a micro-controller. So you could plug it into the back of your computer and hack at will. Other than the obsessively paranoid, who checks behind their PC?
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Not wanting to sound like flamebait, but my last PC ran Debian for some time (no ubuntu then) had a few no-too-well-supported components on it, so i had to hack a few .prefs files to get it working.
I changed the update list so i could download the latest version of a piece of software i NEEDED, then hell broke loose in the form of an unexpected update (more of a service pack, it'd been that long :P). Several components no-longer worked on my machine and all my .prefs files had been reset.
I was able to get it all working again, but its proof that it can happen on a Linux box. You cannot expect the average "M$" user to be able to do something like this with their windows system. So refusing to give a service pack to users that cannot run without hacking might just be the best thing to do sometimes.
Well that wouldn't be as fun, although i have to admit i overlooked that :P
Wasn't the OLPC supposed to come with a wireless network that achieved this already? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLPC_XO-1#Wireless_mesh_networking
Such a thing could easily be implemented by a piece of software running on everyones laptop, think of it like P2P only with FREE INTERNET!!!!
Hmmn, Seems I have found myself a coding project.
P.s. how do i start a new thread instead of always replying to first? :S n00b :P
Usually cause someone on /. has a funny link as their sig :D
Actually it would probably be possible to link a firewire plug to a small wireless adaptor via a micro-controller. So you could plug it into the back of your computer and hack at will. Other than the obsessively paranoid, who checks behind their PC?