[geeks] Cerf Cube

[Ken Hansen]

There is an eGroup that discusses this matters, I think it is called thinknic - the company is very supportive of custom CD images...

Ken

-----Original Message-----
From: Joshua D. Boyd [mailto:jdboyd at cs.millersville.edu]
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 4:26 PM
To: 'geeks at sunhelp.org'
Subject: RE: [geeks] Cerf Cube


I spoke too soon.  They do support NetZero.  Hmm.  I wonder how hard it is
too make a custom CD to add AbiWord to the setup, and also how hard it
would be to get some sorta removeable storage device like Zip or Floppy.
I don't think a printer would be at all hard to add.  Do those, and you'd
have a perfect family computer for most people I know.

--
Joshua Boyd

On Fri, 29 Jun 2001, Joshua D. Boyd wrote:

> Yeah, I've read about the ThinkNIC.  Only two problems.  First, it is a
> regular Intel CPU.  Second, and I know this so incredibly picky and inane,
> but it is a nifty cube, nor is it nifty colors.  In fact, it rather
> reminds me of a PS2.  
> 
> According to their web site, they start a $199, not $300 BTW.  With the
> monitor included, you are out $319.98.  Only thing missing then (as far as
> friends are concerned) is the printer and the ability to use NetZero
> (because netzero is stupid and doesn't support linux users at all).
> Myself, it looks reasonable, but for the complaints listed in the first
> column.
> 
> --
> Joshua Boyd
> 
> On Fri, 29 Jun 2001, Ken Hansen wrote:
> 
> > ThinkNIC - $300 + monitor. Works with *most* ISPs, incl. DSL/Cable Modem installations (incl. 10/100 Mb/s Ethernet). http://www.thinknic.com 
> > 
> > Many folks try and re-purpose specific devices to suit different needs, but there are so many hardware choices out there, that there really isn't a need for that type of hacking. "Not that there's anything wrong with it!"
> > 
> > Ken
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Joshua D. Boyd [mailto:jdboyd at cs.millersville.edu]
> > Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 4:11 PM
> > To: 'geeks at sunhelp.org'
> > Subject: RE: [geeks] Cerf Cube
> > 
> > 
> > Yeah, I know it is an embeded device.  Actually, it is a developer device
> > to encourage people to make other devices using the interior board.
> > 
> > But, as you said, it has USB.  And darn it, I want it to be a desktop
> > device, and a cheap one at that.  Someone needs to start marketing a
> > serious competitor to Windows and Mac, and building some that is less
> > appliance like, but that still take after (software wise) the NIC, then
> > maybe they would have something that would make money.  Especially if it
> > would work with normal ISPs and cost under $300.
> > 
> > --
> > Joshua Boyd
> > 
> > On Fri, 29 Jun 2001, Ken Hansen wrote:
> > 
> > > My scan of the CerfCube showed that all the heat generated would collect inside the unit, and slowly escape out the *bottom* of the unit. This is a sub-optimal method of heat dissipation... Obviously done for aestetics, nothing else...
> > > 
> > > Besides, the CerfCube doesn't have a Keyboard/mouse port (well, it has USB...), but it as *no* native video support - why would you want that in an *appliance*.
> > > 
> > > This is not a desktop device, this is for embedded applications, where you deploy and forget (remote data collection, etc.)...
> > > 
> > > Ken
> > > 
> > > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Joshua D. Boyd [mailto:jdboyd at cs.millersville.edu]
> > > Sent: Friday, June 29, 2001 3:58 PM
> > > To: 'geeks at sunhelp.org'
> > > Subject: RE: [geeks] Cerf Cube
> > > 
> > > 
> > > A) Not always a fan.  Sometimes just a large heat sink.
> > > 
> > > B) Vent the top of the box if need be.
> > > 
> > > --
> > > Joshua Boyd
> > > 
> > > On Fri, 29 Jun 2001, Ken Hansen wrote:
> > > 
> > > > Heat perhaps? TnT Video - doesn't that have a fan for the graphics chip?
> > > > 
> > > > Ken
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > GEEKS:  http://www.sunhelp.org/mailman/listinfo/geeks
> > > 
> > 
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> 
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