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Author Topic: Linux for laptop  (Read 1929 times)

Offline gravdigr

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Linux for laptop
« on: March 29, 2010, 10:22:26 PM »
So I picked up an older laptop to keep in my shop building.  I don't want anything nice over there since last time I had a good laptop over there it got stolen.  The laptop I got has  1Ghz celeron, 512MB ram, 20GB hard drive, wireless N linksys usb network card, and a dvd drive.

My goal is to have this laptop connect to my wireless network across the road in my house and bridge that wireless network into a regular cat5 network in my building.  The wireless card for the laptop sits in a window and gets signal from my house.  I have a WAP I want to connect to the wired network in the building since the wireless signal from my house can't get through the steel walls.  I would also like the laptop to be able to stream music from the winamp remote server in my house.  Storage isn't really an issue since everything will be streamed or temporarily downloaded from my home server.  I would also like to play DVDs on this laptop as well.

Currently it's running an old install of windows xp and can't play any streaming video without it being a slideshow (the audio plays fine).  I'm thinking of throwing a linux install on this laptop and am looking for suggestions as I have never seriously used it before.
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Offline zx2slow

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2010, 10:35:12 PM »
Ubuntu, Linux with training wheels.
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Offline decepticon

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2010, 07:23:21 AM »
I don't think that is going to change your slideshow situation though.  You said you wanted an AP to connect to the wired network in your building?  Are you going to run the cat5 into your shop area?  Now THAT probably would solve your slideshow issues.  Otherwise, what kind of AP do you have?  Ever thought about buying an older linksys and throwing tomato or DDWRT on it and making a wireless bridge?  If signal is an issue you could always make a cantenna and make it super directional....that could get you the signal you need to stream video content as long as it is not HD content.
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Offline The Shoctor

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2010, 07:55:46 AM »
Quote from: Zx2Slow on March 29, 2010, 10:35:12 PM
Ubuntu, Linux with training wheels.

But you can take the wheels off if you need to... But it's nice when packages and dependencies are done right the first time.
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Offline _!Rathe!_

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2010, 10:03:27 AM »
I agree with the Ubuntu recommendation.  I have used it on a number of systems and it is very easy to setup and use. If you need any help with it Digr, let me know.
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Offline Broken

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2010, 10:12:36 AM »
Ubuntu also has the added benefit of sounding like a foreign sex act that is most likely illegal in the states. It has nothing but up sides.
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Offline sully!

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2010, 10:58:08 AM »
I wonder if the Ubuntu Netbook Remix might work well for you given the low system specs?
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Offline gravdigr

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2010, 10:59:38 AM »
Well what I have is a wireless N router in my house about 30' from the building.  It's at a window.  Directly across the road is a window in my building where the wireless USB nic sits.  I was thinking I could use the laptop in the building as a bridge, web browser, music/movie player.
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Offline zx2slow

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2010, 11:12:35 AM »
Depending on the encode a 1GHz celeron might not have the ability to play it.  Linux will be more friendly with your RAM. 
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Offline decepticon

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2010, 11:41:42 AM »
Quote from: gravdigr on March 30, 2010, 10:59:38 AM
Well what I have is a wireless N router in my house about 30' from the building.  It's at a window.  Directly across the road is a window in my building where the wireless USB nic sits.  I was thinking I could use the laptop in the building as a bridge, web browser, music/movie player.

I can tell you right now that the USB adapter is not going to have the range you need.
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Offline _!Rathe!_

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2010, 11:50:29 AM »
Quote from: decepticon on March 30, 2010, 11:41:42 AM
I can tell you right now that the USB adapter is not going to have the range you need.

It works already for him.  He just wants to switch from WinXP to Linux.
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Offline decepticon

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2010, 12:26:20 PM »
EDIT: Sorry Rathe,  you were right.  I thought he was complaining about the signal.

Although, you would get better performance from your other machines if you ran the cat5 cable to an AP in the shop area instead of using internet connection sharing...or the linux equivalent.
« Last Edit: March 31, 2010, 07:23:14 AM by decepticon »
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Offline zx2slow

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2010, 02:03:23 PM »
USB extension cable, hang the adapter outside a window or something...
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Offline vincegun

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2010, 05:51:17 PM »
Just dig a tunnel to the house and run some long-ass cable that way. Added benefit, you ask? Well, who's going to be surviving in their UNDERGROUND SHELTER when the zombies invade?
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Offline sully!

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Re: Linux for laptop
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2010, 06:10:58 PM »
Quote from: vincegun on March 30, 2010, 05:51:17 PM
when the zombies invade?

I have a feeling that if there is a zombie uprising, he'll be the first to know about it too, being right next to a graveyard and all ;)
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