Old Computer Challenge
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Old Computer Challenge
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Re: Old Computer Challenge
#2In short: a bunch of people who like old (as in around year 2000) tech periodically try to achieve something using the tech of the time. Many post on Gemini, a few on Gopher (which already was ancient in 2000).
Re: Old Computer Challenge
#3Interesting site/challenge; however, I had trouble browsing and finding "what to do" in a reasonable time.
I recently spent like $170 giving a new lease on life to a 15-year-old Lenovo S10-3 Ideapad with a 1-core Intel Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, a WiFi card, and a 250GB SSD running AntiX Linux in TTY/Command Line mode.
So far, I've turned it into a picture/frame + vision board running Tailscale so I could SSH in and/or rsync stuff.
I am also attempting to run a no-AI version of Pwnagotchi to pwn WiFi networks.
I am also using it as an always-on appliance that does stuff like rsync/backup my entire server, run lightweight Python scripts to check the uptime and days until domain expiration, etc., on a set of websites I own and would like to own, etc.
I have all of this stuff connected to a Telegram bot that reports to me.
It's an interesting set of constraints, and you can surprisingly do a lot of cool stuff.
Re: Old Computer Challenge
#4This just reminds me that I have my old MicroATX HTPC (remember that term?) that I built in about 2010 sitting in a closet. I bet I haven’t booted it since 2014. I wonder what’s on it…
Re: Old Computer Challenge
#5[flagged]
Re: Old Computer Challenge
#6Interesting site/challenge; however, I had trouble browsing and finding "what to do" in a reasonable time. I recently spent like $170 giving a new lease on life to a 15-year-old Lenovo S10-3 Ideapad with a 1-core Intel Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, a WiFi card, and a 250GB SSD running AntiX Linux in TTY/Command Line mode. So far, I've turned it into a picture/frame + vision board running Tailscale so I could SSH in and/or rs…
Here’s an idea that’s been following me for a while, if you like low-level stuff:
Make a toy OS that boots into a Lisp shell.
Another to appreciate how fast computers that we call old effectively are: write a game for the shell. Depending on your level of skill, you can try pong, snake, lunar lander, or a 3D software renderer.
Re: Old Computer Challenge
#7[flagged]
Just let people write funny stuff
Re: Old Computer Challenge
#8[flagged]
This kind of comment could be written about almost anything and is fundamentally un-interesting. You chose to write "weirdo" instead of "screwball" or "bozo" and probably think the more modern "weirdo" captures your intent the best. I'm sure the original authors had a similar thought.
Re: Old Computer Challenge
#9I mean, I guess I daily run an old computer. Lenovo T400 from 2009, 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo with 4GB of RAM. So far I haven't really had any issues. That said today I picked up a Carbon X1 4th gen for $100, that might be become my new Old computer. Also in the process of refurbishing an IBM Aptiva from 1996. Pentium 166Mhz with 64MB RAM, that one is a little beauty.
I do like this years challenge, 'hand-make something' as that is always a good thing to do.
Re: Old Computer Challenge
#10This just reminds me that I have my old MicroATX HTPC (remember that term?) that I built in about 2010 sitting in a closet. I bet I haven’t booted it since 2014. I wonder what’s on it…
HTPC are still very much a thing, I use mine for everything from MAME to watching a 72GB sized 4K copy of Apocalypse Now Redux. I think the major home theater receiver manufacturers continue to include a "PC" button on the remote control and a "PC" labeled input on their better receivers with five or six HDMI inputs.