Thin clients

[computoman]

Do you use thin clients? If so where do you use them and in what way?

[gta_bmx]

We had some at a company I used to work for. The software we used was on the internet, so a thin client is all we needed. A thin client is basically a PC without a hard drive, right? So perhaps a person could use one as a main PC as long as you plug an external USB hard drive into it.

At the local library, they should use thin clients for people to use to search for books on the card catalog, but instead they use full computers (and relatively new ones). Waste of taxpayer's money. They don't let people use these machines to surf the web or for use with apps, so a thin client would do just fine.

[computoman]

I wish there was a yes or no answer. There are a lot of thin clients that are not even pc based. I have an old sun ray 1 that is not. You have to be real carefui. Also too some of the older pc compatible thin clients have very little memory and therefore will not support a newer os. Some of the newer thin clients can handle an os via a usb or compact flash drive. You really have to check out the specs!!! On my ltsp (linux terminal server i use mostly HP-Compaq Evo and HP-Neoware. thin clients.They could probably run dsl linux with a little hacking and be standalone boxes. You caqn also take existing pc's and turn them into diskless clients depending on the specs. Even new world ppc based macs can be used as diskless clients on a pc based ltsp network.

[dem0072]

I haven't used them exclusively myself. I've used live CD's and linux on a USB stick, but not a designated thin client.

However I had a guy that I talked to a while back that uses a thin client type of system, loads a slip streamed customized ultralight install of debian on a disc or very small hard drive (5 gigs here) and has made several higher end networking devices. Just stick a beowulf cluster on an old system with a pentium 2 or 3, and a 5 gig hard drive and you have a computer that will provide a hell of a customizable interface for your network.

The best I could describe it would be the next big step up from tomato or linux based firmware for a hacked router. More designed for complex routing and network services involving multiple work groups. switches, servers, or internet connections.

Since I lack extensive experience with linux I'd be interested in finding a version that would support a friendly configuration or user interface that wouldn't require being able to code for the kernel or any custom apps or manual installs. Something I could just stick on a disc and click click click here and there, and hopefully have my simpler needs met in about an hours time.

I can get cheap or free computers without a problem for prototypes or experiments.

[computoman]

I have not messed with the kernel since I had problems with an old apple g3 imac where I had to add some modules for the vid card. I could mess with the kernel if I really wanted to but usually do not. Most linux people will tell you that debian will run on almost anything. DSL is based on debian and able to fit on a 50meg cd. Most of what I do is not that complicated and I still have a lot to learn.

I will admit having been in it for so long you get an instinct about things. You get the ability to make things work with or without the manual. When people say it can not be done, you find a way to make it work. Sometimes that upsets do it by the book msadmins. It is just a matter of getting your hands dirty so to speak. Since you have access to the internet, you have a wealth of information and places where many people can be a mentor. It is also wonderful you have access to some free equipment. Take advantage of it. Even if it may not be the latest equipment the basics are still the same. I use the same debian on my nslu2, p1 to p4 computers, and even the macs. You still use the same techniques and problem solving.