Introducing FR's Computer Central

May 4, 2003 | Computer Central

[Computer Central]

Welcome to FreeRepublic.com's unofficial "Computer Central"!

The main purpose of FreeRepublic.com is to have discussions about government and politics. And culture, science, religion and about any subject in the 'news'. We use computers to access FR and there are articles that discuss computers. And continually, there are vanity threads with technical questions about computer problems. I've noticed that these threads get a good response from FReepers who appear to be knowledgable about computers. There are also threads such as "HTML Bootcamp" and "HTML Sandbox".

I would like to suggest that FR needs a "FR Computer Central". If such a site already exists, please provide a link. If not, this "Computer Central" site can be a start.

I know there are websites that specialize in answering technical questions about computer problems. If someone wants to provide some links, I will post them.

There are individual FReepers who have a lot of knowledge about computers. If they were willing to be available to answer questions, that would be nice. If these FR profile homepages had some interactive features, we could have a way for a FReeper to list their name on 'Computer Central', and then click a box to indicate that they are online, and willing to answer questions about computer problems. Just an idea.

If FR were to develop a first class computer-help, it would be another reason for people to visit FR, and maybe stick around and learn something about FR. Of course, it would also be an additional load on the server and the bandwidth.

Exactly how this Computer Central develops and operates, remains to be seen.

For now, Computer Central will have just a few links, and, some technical questions that I have about computers.

[Computer Central]

My Vanity Section: I have some of my own technical questions that I would like to have answered.

I have some writing that I want to do, and I am looking for a HP Laptop. To save money, I'm looking for an older HP 386 / or 486 laptop. I have a preference for Hewlett Packard & Intel, but I want to avoid bying any more products from the Bill Gates' / MS empire.

I had a couple of years experience with WordPerfect 5.1, and then a little with 6. For the writing that I want to do, I really want to get back to WP5.1.

So I have technical questions about configuring the following:

• HP 386 / or 486 Laptop
          w/ a Color screen, a 3.5" floppy disk drive, a mouse, and ports for external keyboard & mouse.
• a simple, non-Gates/MS operating system that will support WP5.1 and BASIC
          (Having GUI & icons is optional, & not necessary. A DOS type command line is fine. WP has a good file system.)
• WordPerfect 5.1
• a BASIC program

1. Does WordPerfect 5.1 work only with DOS? Will WP5.1 work with LINUX, or some other OS? (I've had some experience with UNIX. Do people ever use UNIX on a PC or laptop; and would UNIX support WP5.1?)

2. Did Bill Gates invent DOS? Is there a DOS that is non-Gates? If so, where can I get it, or download it? I hear that some LINUX is difficult. Is there a simple LINUX that is basic to operate and uses a small amount of disk space? Or, is there some other simple OS that will work with WP5.1?

I was told to go to E-bay. I used search, but I couldn't find any HP 386/486 laptops. I called a store in Sacramento, they have several for $60. (500 MB HD, 8 MB RAM) I was hoping for more like $40. Ebay has several offers for WP5.1. Now I need to get my questions answered concerning a simple operating system (non-Gates).

---

LINKS:
TCPA: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid (if you use a PC) - [MS / Intel Alliance for control]

[Computer Central]

Welcome to Computer Central!

[chance33_98]

Have you ever used Star Office for Unix variants?

[chance33_98]

As far as OS, Linux is not hard to learn - depends on the depth of learning and usage you want/need. You could set up a linux based system running star office and do just fine without being a geek.

I installed Linux on a P-Pro-200 and it runs great, I also run win 2000 server and Solaris 8. All were pretty easy to set up and get going (Though solaris took the longest as I was setting up 20 HD's - but barring that it was quick and painless)

Set up should work fine for you, and Linux has some nice GUI's if you want them (KDE/Gnome) as does solaris for that matter (cde/gnome). As far as running WP/Basic someone probably has an emulator somewhere :)

[JoeSixPack1]

Obviously what you are trying to do is go back to the programs and operating systems that do not use upper memory or multi-tasking interface.

My question is why?

[optimistically_conservative]

Try this, rather than a News/Activism thread:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/t-computers/browse

[Computer Central]

+ ever used Star Office? +
No, I haven't. I'm wondering if you use Unix on a PC?
When I first got on the internet, I had a textual browser, with a Unix shell account on the server. I learned some of the basic commands.

[chance33_98]

I would like to suggest that FR needs a "FR Computer Central"

Perhaps it's own ping list for assisting others. Many varied geeks out there like myself, and each has a different expertise. A general pinglist would be good. Perhaps, if your so inclined, keep a list of freepers on your FR profile page with a link to their page/mail and give a brief overview of what each is best at (so as to avoid mass mailings of MAC questions to unix folks).

My basic skills are ccna, solaris, linux, windows, data bases (oracle, mssql, etc), PERL, various other programming languages, html (non-flashy thank you), and a whole host of other thingees.

I prefer to do my own development and mainly for myself (mainly things of a mathematical bent or data grabbing) but if someone needs something I would consider helping out (example, a little perl script to port all the names of anyone who responds to you from a thread and auto-create a nice ping list ;)) I have enough stress writing some things for myself but am willing to help out fellow freepers if time permits (i have a two year old at home....)

So there is my info if things get going feel free to put me down as someone willing to lend a hand - ALSO let me add this - I have web space available for those who need some pics hosted. Have also been working on a simple script to allow someone to email me a photo, it will drop it into their directory, and then email them a link to it (for the html/computer impaired). I won't have that running online until I move in a few months and get new dsl service (have it now, but want to make sure I have same carrier etc - basically I am too lazy to reconfig it all once it is done ;)

[chance33_98]

No, I haven't. I'm wondering if you use Unix on a PC?

I run it on both a sun server (4 processors/1 gig ram) and on a Linux machine (P200) - to be honest, the program is written well enough that the solaris version does need seem all that much faster on the server (except when doing spreadsheet calcs and such - but for what your doing would work well).

As far as running it on a windows box, have not tried it.

[Computer Central]

Thanks for the info on post #4. And your last comment, I will need to know: + As far as running WP/Basic someone probably has an emulator somewhere :)+

Emulator. I'll need to get some details on that. Thanks!

[chance33_98]

bad grammar...or is it poor grammar. At any rate, last post shows I am getting tired :) either time for coffee or bed, just not sure which one...

[Caesar Soze]

1. Does WordPerfect 5.1 work only with DOS? Will WP5.1 work with LINUX, or some other OS? (I've had some experience with UNIX. Do people ever use UNIX on a PC or laptop; and would UNIX support WP5.1?)

I assume WP5.1 only works in a DOS environment, including Win9x and the DOS emulation of NT. If whoever owned WP at the time produced ported it, they probably ported it to Mac.

2. Did Bill Gates invent DOS? Is there a DOS that is non-Gates? If so, where can I get it, or download it? I hear that some LINUX is difficult. Is there a simple LINUX that is basic to operate and uses a small amount of disk space? Or, is there some other simple OS that will work with WP5.1?

Bill Gates did not create DOS, he purchased an implementation of it. You can find DRDOS and PCDOS if you look hard enough, but I think it would be very foolish to use an ancient, unsupported operating system for any semi-serious work. FreeDOS is newer, and may be what you're looking for. If you want to use DOS on Linux (nb the capitalization) you will need to use a DOS emulator like dosemu in conjunction with some version of DOS.

[Caesar Soze]

That's not going to work very well on the class of computer he's looking at purchasing.

[chance33_98]

Good Point! I keep fogetting he wants it for 486 :) Like I said, I am way tired. In that case freedos would be a good route, unless someone knows better (and for those so inclined check out fresco, don't even need a HD and you can set up a nice router with that old PC collecting dust)

[Computer Central]

+ upper memory or multi-tasking +
I need a word processor that I like, and that's about it. I want to write on a laptop, and then just copy files to 3.5" disks. I'll use a desktop to get it online. Getting a 486 is within the budget at this time.

In '94, I started writing on a used HP 286 desktop. It had Win 3.0, which I rarely used. I did most of my work between DOS 5 & WP. For the immediate project I have in mind, WP allows 2 screens & macros... That's enough 'multi-tasking' for now.

+ upper memory + - That's a term I've heard over the years. But, I don't know the technical implications, as it applies to what I need.

[Rocketman]

I'm a collage student recently recieved as AS in MSSP and Net+ Cert -- I have a sun ultra 66 at home it is like new a former UAF (university of alaska fairbanks) Server the problem is both the floppy and CDrom are turned off and I have neither the root or Bios passwords.

I have spoken to some admins at UAF and have been given a sequence to stop the boot process and boot from a disk or floppy however it would not read my red hat 7.3 cd boot disk or even a knoppix disk -- I am waiting now for a copy of solaris 8 (the ultra's current OS)from e-bay to arrive and try again. What I was wondering is since you have a running solsris 8 (possibly an ultra 66 or something close enough) could you make me a boot disk?

I've had the machine in my house for almost 2 months and would like to start learning how to use it.

[Computer Central]

# 6 = Good Link!

Live & learn, but also some confusion on posting. News/Activism is at the top of my FR screen. I went thru the entire menu of my profile page, trying to switch to "Technical". When I posted, I checked FR & Technical. But, I guess that wasn't enough.

I just clicked on that #6 link, and the list of articles looked really good. How would a new user to FR have been able to find it? Anyway, I will get that link on my FR homepage for other people with questions to check it out. It may be a good tool for an 'FR Computer Central'; or, maybe that is the best place to go. Thanks!

[JoeSixPack1]

Ah So!

Good luck. Programs are easy to find as everybody's closet has a crate full of old programs. Getting them to work is the fun!

The upper memory I spoke of intilizes a dos emulator called Himem.sys. The big jump from dos 3.5 to dos 5 was upper memory. Programs of the 3.5 era work well in dos 5 but the reverse requires a bypass line in the autoexec or a sim'd boot. But I most definately forgot more than I remember of those days. :-)

[Computer Central]

Your idea of a 'ping-list', that also gives people's specialities. Great idea! (I think FR should also have that in political subjects.) As time permits, I would like to help compile that for this computer help. I went through a couple of articles & got a list of names, but I didn't keep track of the specific comments. As time permits...
For now, I'll make mention of "chance33_98" on my personal page. Thanks for the input!

[Computer Central]

Thanks for the advice to avoid an ancient DOS. The link to FreeDOS looked promising. If FreeDOS supports WP5.1, that might be the way to go.