The freewarePC - The Article

[Roj]

I've written an article on building a PC that mimics my standard environment in functionality but is built using exclusively freeware. Matty Carter has seen a draft of this - I now have the final version and it includes links to the various tools. Any idea of how I could post this? It's not exactly short as it's 12 pages long.

Thoughts?

[acozz]

Do you mean how can you post it here?

If so, does it fit under the upload limit? Or if you compressed it?

Otherwise, do you have webspace?

[Roj]

Do you mean how can you post it here?

If so, does it fit under the upload limit? Or if you compressed it?

Otherwise, do you have webspace?
It's 119Kb as a PDF - even compressed, it doesn't shrink much (114Kb). No, I don't have webspace.

[acozz]

Then a generous forumer with webspace is going to have to host it for you.

Sadly, I don't have webspace.

[Roj]

Then a generous forumer with webspace is going to have to host it for you.

Sadly, I don't have webspace.
I wouldn't know how to set it up even if I did... :)

[B.E.L.B.H.D.]

Maybe you could try something like this: http://ihost.it-mate.co.uk/

[jkrzok]

it-host only does these kinds of files:
1. .jpg/jpeg
2. .gif
3. .swf
4. .png

No pdf!

[Roj]

it-host only does these kinds of files:
1. .jpg/jpeg
2. .gif
3. .swf
4. .png

No pdf!
I tried to see if it would fit in one of these editing boxes here. The limit is 10K characters and my article is over 40K (closer to 45k).

[jkrzok]

OK, two options. Try http://www.angeltowns.com/. It's free, only 50megs but no ads. I played with it some and was able to set it up to host a file with minimal problems, seeing that I know NOTHING about setting up a web site, HTML or anything like that. (Boring day off...). Or you can email me the file and I'll try hosting it at my newly created site. I don't see that you can send attachments tthrough this forum, but if you're interested I'll email you with my real address.

[Tokelil]

I have my own domain (www.noer.it) and could host it for you if you want.

[matty28carter]

OK, two options. Try http://www.angeltowns.com/. It's free, only 50megs but no ads. I played with it some and was able to set it up to host a file with minimal problems, seeing that I know NOTHING about setting up a web site, HTML or anything like that. (Boring day off...). Or you can email me the file and I'll try hosting it at my newly created site. I don't see that you can send attachments tthrough this forum, but if you're interested I'll email you with my real address.

i can put it on the interweb if you want. just send it me
:grin:

[B.E.L.B.H.D.]

it-host only does these kinds of files:
1. .jpg/jpeg
2. .gif
3. .swf
4. .png

No pdf!


You've got it backwards, it only does not host those files.

So it will host *.pdf!

[Qaz]

http://ihost.it-mate.co.uk/faq.asp#ftypes
Are there any restrictions on file types?

Due to iHost being taken offline because of our allowing .zip, .rar and .7z and users abusing this, we have now removed these file types from our permitted list. Because of this, only the following may be uploaded.

.gif
.jpg
.jpeg
.png
.swf


We will consider allowing more file type's upon request, however, the decision to allow or disallow, is entirely our own, and is final.

[jkrzok]

Perhaps a fuller quote is in order. From their terms of service:
2. Content restrictions

Users agree that unless expressed otherwise, all restrictions on the iHost service as expressed below, apply to all users and that by using this service, users agree to such restrictions.


File Types

Ur I.T. Mate Group has blocked all file types, with the exception of the following;

1. .jpg/jpeg
2. .gif
3. .swf
4. .png

By using this service, users agree that the aformentioned file types are those that are allowed, and file types not listed above, are not allowed, unless given explicit permission by Ur I.T. Mate Group.

[Roj]

Thanks for all your helpful suggestions and offers. I'll need to digest them before making a decision... :)

[Aaron]

I've written an article on building a PC that mimics my standard environment in functionality but is built using exclusively freeware

So its free of all microsoft products? Sounds interesting...

Can you elaborate on freeware - do you mean "free" as in speech or "free" as in beer. See - http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/selling.html for an explanation of what I mean. (Watch out for the long haired sandal wearing hippies - it is the GNU website after all - :evil:)

I look forward to reading your article.

Cheers

Aaron

[Roj]

So its free of all microsoft products? Sounds interesting...Not at all. It still relies on the best-of-breed Windows XP OS, Internet Explorer 6 and Outlook Express. Nothing in freeware-land has really been able to touch any of those solutions, especially the OS.

Freeware =/= No Microsoft.

Can you elaborate on freewareFree means "I ain't paying one red cent to an author for the software - legally". :) :) :)

The OS itself isn't free and that's stated right up front. In the article I ditch the so-called "free OSs" as viable choices because they rather obviously weren't, aren't and very likely never will be ready for prime time in the role of "general purpose consumer OS". Besides, it's a myth that Linux (oops, I said the name - it just slipped out) is free anyway - as just one example, you pay the "Linux Tax" in the form of lack of driver support for the majority of modern consumer hardware devices and in most cases that makes it much more "expensive" than Windows with its vast hardware and application support. That situation is also equally obviously never going to change because of how the market does business. Vendors are interested in competitive advantage - that's how they make their money. Finally, it's amusing to see how many distros now charge (read: ALL the major ones).

T.A.N.F.L. applies there.

Of course people will continue perpetuating that myth though even when it has zero basis in fact; the delusion that they're fighting "The Man" just makes them feel better and all self-important, the same way it did in the sixties... :)

[Aaron]

Not at all. It still relies on the best-of-breed Windows XP OS, Internet Explorer 6 and Outlook Express. Nothing in freeware-land has really been able to touch any of those solutions, especially the OS.

Freeware =/= No Microsoft.

Hehe I was only asking a question not trying to incite a flamewar. Thanks for the clarification.

In your original post you mentioned that the PC "but is built using exclusively freeware". That wasn't really an accurate statement given the nature of the commercial OS which presumably you paid for. If you are up front with that statement in the article then fine - and I look forward to reading what you have come up with.

As an aside I agree with you that as a Consumer level OS Windows XP is pretty good - and you make valid points about driver support. Personally I think the real niche for Linux is at the Server level but that's just my opinion :)

Cheers,

Aaron

[Hanzo]

Hey Roj, I recall you were a Usenet fan (correct me if I'm wrong) can you post your article there?

[drewkeller]

some people have used my ftp space for QCD related stuff before. i don't remember how i had the account set up before (changed hosts recently). send me an email at drew@drewkeller.com if you want to use it and i'll send you the account info. put [QCD] in the subject to get around my spam filters :)

[Tokelil]

"because they rather obviously weren't, aren't and very likely never will be ready for prime time in the role of "general purpose consumer OS"."
Wow never has anyone say it better to me... I have always been "geek" and have a lot of times been asked why I didn't use Linux. It was fun to use for a while, but a lot of things is missing IMO before it can go primetime as a general consumer OS.

[Toe]

Anything interesting in there that I haven't already already seen on a million other freeware lists? (Pricelessware (http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/about2004PL.htm), for example.)

[Roj]

Hehe I was only asking a question not trying to incite a flamewar. Thanks for the clarification.
I do have a tendency to go on at times - I guess it comes form hearing so many people use the same old hackneyed arguments. My apologies.


In your original post you mentioned that the PC "but is built using exclusively freeware". That wasn't really an accurate statement given the nature of the commercial OS which presumably you paid for. If you are up front with that statement in the article then fine - and I look forward to reading what you have come up with.
Ooooh yah, I'm very up front with it :) . Here's the quote:

"The OS used was Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1a installed (the one without the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine). I would never put a non-NT toy OS (read: anything Windows 9x-based such as Windows MiniMe) on any machine today – that would be an exercise in silliness and futility. I also wouldn't base it on Windows 2000 because XP has rather obvious advantages over that OS in every category one could name, notably stability, performance and hardware support. So, at the end of the day you'll have to pay for one component, namely the OS."


As an aside I agree with you that as a Consumer level OS Windows XP is pretty good - and you make valid points about driver support. Personally I think the real niche for Linux is at the Server level but that's just my opinion :)
I agree with you. However, that being said I do wish that there was an alternative on the desktop, given MS' rather obvious intentions of locking the user down with DRM as well as pandering to the licensed brigands at the MPAA and RIAA. Unfortunately I just don't see a situation where there will ever be a viable one. :(

[Tokelil]

(Pricelessware, for example.)Bah... They didn't list QCD this year!

[B.E.L.B.H.D.]

You've got it backwards, it only does not host those files.
Sorry, I misread that...It is strange though, that they do not want adult content, but they allow images lol.

[Roj]

Anything interesting in there that I haven't already already seen on a million other freeware lists? (Pricelessware (http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/about2004PL.htm), for example.)No idea and I never pay any attention to those lists - you'll have to check for yourself if / when you read the article. I just took my own list of apps that I use and looked for freeware counterparts of equal or better caliber. I also took some of the rather overhyped media darlings out there to task such as Mozilla / Firefox, The Gimp and BNR2, none of which are worth the effort as far as I'm concerned because they fall short in various categories ranging from ease of use to stability to compatibility.

In short, anything on the list is something I use and isn't there just because some technoweenie without a user-friendly bone in his body or wannabe pundit recommends it.

I also make quite clear that this is MY list and that mileage may vary (translation: I don't much care who objects... :) ).

[Roj]

Hey Roj, I recall you were a Usenet fan (correct me if I'm wrong) can you post your article there?
I'm very much a Usenet fan (and have been for many years) and I would post the article there but for one thing:

Things posted on Usenet have a tendency to spawn great ginormous (gigantic + enormous == ginormous) threads which go on forever, often pointlessly, and I'm just not into that. I've long since limited my Usenet activities to lurking and leeching - my argumentative days with the 13-year-olds of all ages there are long since done. :)

[Roj]

Wow never has anyone say it better to me... I have always been "geek" and have a lot of times been asked why I didn't use Linux. It was fun to use for a while, but a lot of things is missing IMO before it can go primetime as a general consumer OS.
I'm most definitely "geek" (some would say UberGeek) and that's pretty much where I'm coming from.

[Inthewoods]

No idea and I never pay any attention to those lists. I just took my own list of apps that I use and looked for freeware counterparts of equal or better caliber. I also took some of the rather overhyped media darlings out there to task such as Mozilla / Firefox, The Gimp and BNR2, none of which are worth the effort as far as I'm concerned because they fall short in various categories ranging from ease of use to stability to compatibility.

In short, anything on the list is something I use and isn't there just because some technoweenie without a user-friendly bone in his body or wannabe pundit recommends it.

I also make quite clear that this is MY list and that mileage may vary (translation: I don't much care who objects... :) ).

Once again, Roj, I agree with your entire post. I'm my own man, software wise. A "recommended list" is just somebody else's choices for their needs, and I'm quite capable of thinking for myself. In fact, if I followed others' recommendations, I'd probably be using Winamp....LOL

I sense from what you've written about it that your article is more of a "how to" project, and I look forward to seeing it. And I love the "mileage may vary"..

Better watch it though, saying that Mozilla/Firefox just ain't all it's proported to be, cuz the Mozilla Guerillas (or Gorillas, take your pick) will tear you a new one, if you get my drift. That's already been tried on me, but i don't give a rodent's behind........ :evil: :beer: (batteries not included)

[Aaron]

I'm most definitely "geek" (some would say UberGeek) and that's pretty much where I'm coming from.

You ever tried cygwin? http://www.cygwin.com. It'll make you an uber-ubergeek in Windows. Personally I find this very useful - wget is a oft used utility here.

Aaron

[Roj]

You ever tried cygwin? http://www.cygwin.com (http://www.cygwin.com/). It'll make you an uber-ubergeek in Windows. Personally I find this very useful - wget is a oft used utility here.

Aaron
No and I've give it a shot. Thanks for the link - new toys are always welcome... :)

[Roj]

Better watch it though, saying that Mozilla/Firefox just ain't all it's proported to be, cuz the Mozilla Guerillas (or Gorillas, take your pick) will tear you a new one, if you get my drift. That's already been tried on me, but i don't give a rodent's behind........ :evil: :beer: (batteries not included)As I have often said:

"Many have tried, most have died - I'm still here." :) :) :)

[Todd The Kiwi]

so what happened man
did you install an ftp server create an anonymous user account and put a link to the file in your sig?

[Hanzo]

I'm very much a Usenet fan (and have been for many years) and I would post the article there but for one thing:

Things posted on Usenet have a tendency to spawn great ginormous (gigantic + enormous == ginormous) threads which go on forever, often pointlessly, and I'm just not into that. I've long since limited my Usenet activities to lurking and leeching - my argumentative days with the 13-year-olds of all ages there are long since done. :)
LOL ! I've seen you "battle" in this forum a couple of times, and you always win, I guess a 13 year old isn't much of a match for a dude of your expertise and experience.

And I see your point. More than once I've tried to research on Usenet and it basically the tiny bits of info I found some times was drown into a mass of non-sense.

I'll even quote you:

"your mileage may vary"

:cool:

[Roj]

LOL ! I've seen you "battle" in this forum a couple of times, and you always win, I guess a 13 year old isn't much of a match for a dude of your expertise and experience.Nobody always wins, mon. :) I do try very hard to get my facts straight before opening my mouth BUT if I'm wrong, I'll admit it and back down.

However, yer gonna have ta work dat body to prove it to me. :)

[Roj]

so what happened man
did you install an ftp server create an anonymous user account and put a link to the file in your sig?No - unfortunately I have a lot of things on the go at this end, not the least of which are getting a passport for my pending trip as well as building, shipping and coordinating the activation of corporate Antivirus servers across the country at work. I'm spread a bit thin right now.

[Todd The Kiwi]

crikey mate
we're all chomping at the bit and you want to keep us hanging!?
this is shocking behaviour :carrot:
maybe we could all use our telepathetic energy... :bulb: :globe: :cross-eye

[Roj]

OK, two options. Try http://www.angeltowns.com/. It's free, only 50megs but no ads. I played with it some and was able to set it up to host a file with minimal problems, seeing that I know NOTHING about setting up a web site, HTML or anything like that. (Boring day off...). Or you can email me the file and I'll try hosting it at my newly created site. I don't see that you can send attachments tthrough this forum, but if you're interested I'll email you with my real address.
Could you check your e-mail, please?

[Roj]

crikey mate
we're all chomping at the bit and you want to keep us hanging!?
this is shocking behaviour :carrot:
maybe we could all use our telepathetic energy... :bulb: :globe: :cross-eyeActually I just this second got a message from a site that is now hosting the article (apologies to jkrzok - the e-mail came in just after I sent the article to you).

It can be read here:

http://www.sudhian.com/showdocs.cfm?aid=570

[drewkeller]

i haven't used CONtext, but i've been very happy with NoteTab since 1996. the light version is freeware.

i would also consider Windows PowerPro a necessary core piece. i use it for rolling/unrolling windows, keeping windows on top, access to clipboard history, etc. but it can also do more advanced scripting stuff.

i tried XnView a while back and (at that time at least) IrfanView was better IMO.

not sure about gaim vs. miranda. it's been a while since i tested the gamut of IM offerings.

[Roj]

i haven't used CONtext, but i've been very happy with NoteTab since 1996. the light version is freeware.

i would also consider Windows PowerPro a necessary core piece. i use it for rolling/unrolling windows, keeping windows on top, access to clipboard history, etc. but it can also do more advanced scripting stuff.

i tried XnView a while back and (at that time at least) IrfanView was better IMO.

not sure about gaim vs. miranda. it's been a while since i tested the gamut of IM offerings.I started with IrfanView many a year ago before the rampant featuritis set in. :) In earlier incarnations, XnView wasn't exactly stable but things have since improved considerably.

[B.E.L.B.H.D.]

LOL ! I've seen you "battle" in this forum a couple of times, and you always win, I guess a 13 year old isn't much of a match for a dude of your expertise and experience.


Not just this forum lol
http://fileforum.betanews.com/review/944927017/1/view

[Roj]

Not just this forum lol
http://fileforum.betanews.com/review/944927017/1/viewRead my bio - you'll see that I don't suffer fools gladly. :) :) :)

I mean, if you have valid reasons then well and good but don't just blow smoke.

[Roj]

I've started another thread with the URL in the message body. If you want to discuss the article, please go there. The reason I did this is so that people don't have to wade through half a thread to find the link.

[Todd The Kiwi]

i decided to keep the other thread free of this picture i recieved while browseing
'the article' spooky stuff...:skull:
no doubt i'm supposed to use IE when looking at it heh heh.

[acozz]

I viewed it in Firefox with no problems.

[Todd The Kiwi]

what version of mo'fox are you using ?
i'm using .9 now and have the theme DOODLE
and the extension DOWNLOADWITH :skull:

[Aaron]

what version of mo'fox are you using ?
i'm using .9 now and have the theme DOODLE
and the extension DOWNLOADWITH :skull:

Yeah it worked for me as well - firefox 0.9.2.

The madness of client-side scripting though... :ermm:

Aaron

[acushla]

I've written an article on building a PC that mimics my standard environment in functionality but is built using exclusively freeware. Matty Carter has seen a draft of this - I now have the final version and it includes links to the various tools. Any idea of how I could post this? It's not exactly short as it's 12 pages long.

Thoughts?

I suggest you submit it to various magazines whose readership would be interested in reading it. You could always revise it in a way that it becomes a two or three part article.

[Roj]

I suggest you submit it to various magazines whose readership would be interested in reading it. You could always revise it in a way that it becomes a two or three part article.

Actually, if you check the thread where you had the link to the speaker article, you'll find the link to it. I ended up getting it put on the web by Sudhian Media 9formerly ViaHardware) last year.