Your suggestions are appreciated.
Our household needs a new computer system. Your ideas/suggestions are appreciated!
I realize some of this may not be possible, but here's a list of what we would like:
* This computer should boot quickly, in a matter of a few seconds.
* This machine should not attempt to "help" with everything, or offer "tours"
* This machine should do exactly what I, the user, command it to, immediately, and without trying to help.
* No extras should be loaded.
* The CPU should be able to last for 20 years or longer, and the drives should be redundant (mirrored).
* It should be possible to boot into a bare-bones "DOS" mode, with NO GRAPHICS, no pre-emptive multitasking, etc.
* It should be quiet.
* Nothing besides the bare bones operating environment /operating system should ever be loaded unless I expicitly install it.
Here is what we do NOT like:
* A machine that takes more than 15 seconds to boot (inexcusable with today's hardware).
* Extreme speed i.e. lower CPU lifespan. 1-2GHz should be MORE than sufficient.
* Noise from fans.
* Extreme graphics - no games.
* Extraneous unwanted programs that come with the O/S - bare bones only.
* Commercial/marketing stuff loaded onto the system.
* An operating system that tries to "help" with everything.
* A machine that refuses to turn off instantly but second-guesses user commands. When I say "off" by flicking the power switch, I MEAN NOW, not thirty seconds from now.
Ah, that's better.
Given your list, you'll probably be happiest if you write your own operating system.
Sounds like what ever computer you get, you won't be wanting to shut it off when you are done.
That would give you instant access, no waiting with a $300 computer.
The Apple computer I bought in July 1978 still works, so it is has lasted for nearly 28 years.
Except for the 1-2GHz requirement, you are describing a Commodore 64...
Get a computer that puts the hardware and monitor in sleep mode after so many minutes, then leave it on all the time. Zero boot time, and very little power usage. The rest I leave up to others.
I've looked over most of the suggestions posted here in the comments and come to my own conclusion of what you could do.
Buy a Mac with an Intel processor, and install all the OS's you want to try out until you find one you like. Mac OS, Windows, Linux... They all play on the Mac hardware.
Just keep in mind that when you're done playing around and know what OSes you want to keep on the drive, format the the disk and install the OSes you want from scratch. Configure them carefully, and you should be done.
(Investigate Parallels: http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/mac/ )
The hardware is from Newegg.com, and includes:
Whether or not the so called power off button actually turns the power off should be settable in the BIOS.
The Ubuntu server edition really only loads the basic operating system. It doesn't even have a GUI interface to load.
You must have a bit of a strange household, however, to want to use such a system for household use. I built this box to use as a dedicated network router.
You will need to change many settings and manually terminate the automatic updating and other "features".
I have done this on many systems and it takes about an hour to do.
Get Root !
Or better yet, a C-90.
Stay away from the Control Data Cyber 205, it sucketh.
Or for less intense work, a VAX 11/780.
Cheers!