This is a
conversation I have at least once at nearly every conference:
Me: “That's a
classic laptop. It's great that you've kept it in great shape….
reducing e-waste.”
Person using old
laptop: (quizzical look) “Don't you sell new
computers?”
Me: “Ew. No. Well,
not really. I build computers. Then there's an exchange
[transaction] so my company can build more.”
Person: “Oh, ok,
cool.” (continued discussion of laptop specs)
 |
| CC-SA ZaReason |
I often ask,
especially when giving presentations, “How many of you have built
your own computer?” When those hands go up, it is a
faith-in-humanity moment. Warranty laws make it so hard to take full
ownership of your computer.
I love opening a
machine. But only when I have the time. If your life isn't too
cram-packed, then you have probably looked under the hood of your
machine too.
It is this mindset
that made me go into overdrive last week when a friend asked me to
“make my computer connect to the Internet.”
Since I had not
touched the insides of any electronics in over two weeks, I ran
upstairs to his office to check it out. I literally ran, but not fast
since this is a 400 old stone house in a remote village in France.
The house is in good shape but it has a few bizarre twists between
downstairs and upstairs.
After 60 seconds:
Well, dear friend… it is running XP… This is what I did not say.
 |
| CC-SA ZaReason |
 |
| CC-SA ZaReason |
Instead I said
“Sure!” and I began courting which distro will be best for this
monster tower that has spider webs on every cable in the back.
So far I've looked
at:
Mint? It'd give my
friend that feeling of familiarity because the UI is vaguely similar
to his old OS. I'd have to upgrade memory, but that's a given. I want
this to cost as close to $0 as possible.
PuppyLinux? Maybe,
but that's just because I remember Larry Cafiero talking about
PuppyLinux and I couldn't hear a word he said because I was caught up
in “Aw, how cute!” each time Larry said the word “Puppy.”
Stereotypically blond reaction, but at least I'm owning it.
Lubuntu? Suggested
by a cool French dude. It might be the right one.
Other suggestions?
