Replies

Let's try that again...

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.

Your list:
Quick boot: Do not turn your puter off, there are hibernation settings on most of todays OS, a touch of the mouse or keyboard and the system is up. In powered down mode, it is not going to use much electric.

Auto help: Even with Windows, all that can be turned off.

Command speed: Previous answer and the quality of the CPU and Memory.

Extras: Can be disabled.

20 year life: Any AMD or Intel should last that long, but the tech improves so fast that you will not want to keep it 20 years. Would you use a 20 year old cell phone today?

Boot to DOS: Possible, but why? You like typing a lot?

Quiet: Easy enough, my Antec tower case is so quiet that only a look at the light on the front tells you it is on.

Op system again: I have a program called System Commander that pauses during the boot and allows you to pick what op system the puter boots in (I have Win 95,Win ME, Win XP, Red Hat Linux and BEOS loaded). After a short pause with no selection, it goes to the default system (XP)

Most of your do not wants are the same as the wants. I built my current main puter about 18 months ago. It is in a virtually silent Antec full tower with an Abit main board and an AMD 2800 processor. I have 1 gig of DDR 333 memory and an NVida 6800 video card. I have 4 120 gig SATA HDs and a Creative Labs Live sound card. The puter itself was about $1K to build. I had all the op systems except XP, which was $100 for the OEM version. I have an APC 1500 battery back-up in line. I leave the puter on most of the time, only rebooting when I want to switch operating systems.

My system does near everything you want, but between the puter itself, op systems and monitor (I have a 21" Sony flat panel) you are looking at about $2K.

Hm. Well, here are some random thoughts. Windows is out, Windows doesn't really accept commands, it just permits you to make suggestions, which it reviews at its leisure. So you are probably looking at finding some flavor of Linux, then spending time making that as lean as possible. Even if you end up using something other than Centos you might appreciate the attitude behind this project:

http://www.owlriver.com/tips/tiny-centos/

Still, I don't think that you can realistically get by without at least an optional GUI these days in a personal desktop.

If you order any computer from a major vendor such as Dell obviously you will have to reformat the hard drive. Better you build your own from scratch. You want quiet, so

http://www.quietpcusa.com/

Those huge Zalman CPU fans are extremely quiet. You can now buy power supplies that are fanless and silent. Since you obviously hate waiting, forget your CPU speed limit and buy the fastest dual core processor you can afford and a fast hard drive.

If you want serious reliability and longevity, get a server motherboard with ECC RAM. You don't need gaming graphics, so your won't miss the lack of SLI, and many server mobos have built in video. Check that the mobo works with your flavor of Linux before buying.

Booting in a few seconds is unrealistic. 20 year life span is absurd, it will be obsolete in five. If your "household" includes kids, they are not going to be able to play their games on this computer.

What's that? Oh, OK. Bill says to tell you that resistance is futile, you will be assimilated.