A Replacement for the i-Opener? 98
kenh writes "For years my father has gotten along the Information Superhighway with just an i-Opener and an Earthlink account. However, the internet has moved too far ahead for his burned-in-ROM browser to be useful to him anymore, and dial-up is a bit slow these days. While investigating various options (Apple Macintosh, Knoppix Linux/Ubuntu Linux with USB key file storage, WebTV) I didn't find any that were very appealing, for a variety of reasons. Right now, I'm looking for something that has: dial-up support, no update/anti-virus/etc pop-ups, and no software 'update' downloads, support for PDFs, Flash, Javascript, and other features necessary to accommodate more modern websites. The i-Opener was 'foolproof', and if things went wrong, you could just shut it off and try again, Everything I see today lacks that ability (to varying extents)." What decent i-Opener replacements, if any, exist today?
Re:try a-Opener (Score:5, Funny)
replacement? (Score:1)
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I think the poster wants something more foolproof than a regular PC. A cheap laptop will still be prone to viruses, adware, etc. Maybe something running Linux or one of the BSDs could be set up to minimize the likelihood of his father getting in trouble.
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However, it shouldn't be hard to configure Ubuntu or some other Linux distro to do everything he needs. Or more to the point, not to do everything he doesn't need it to do. Have it log in automatically and launch SeaMonkey or something like that.
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My folks like a mouse, not a trackpoint/touchpad, so add a USB mouse
No built-in modem support, so I have to add an external one
USB storage key occupies another USB port
Add a USB Printer, and now I'm out of USB ports - here comes a USB hub
Whew, compare that to the i-opener - what a desk full of stuff... Kinda defeats the whole point of a laptop IMHO.
Good idea, but reality gets in the way...
Thanks,
Ken
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Then again, I have an i-opener sitting right here next to me, and it only has a single USB port - so you still need a USB hub to attach a printer and usb key.
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No builtin modem support? (Score:1)
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Ken
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Don't know how often you will be checking replies here, but see my reply to someone earlier in the thread about Deep Freeze from Faronics. I think it will help you with your current issue. I provided a link to it in my previous post (before I saw your post to
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You may also want to try and steer your parents towards web based solutions such as gmail so that the next time their computer changes the interfaces that they're used to do change.
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You can even set up what DF calls a "thawed space", where pop could store the
When the PC needs updates, son can come over, thaw the machin
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Did you read what he said? His dad wants to access The Internet.
Best Buy's cheapest laptop almost certainly comes with Microsoft Windows preloaded. Windows and Internet don't go together, unless the user is a security-expert computer-guru.
Linux on LiveCD/DVD fixes that (Score:2)
Don't forget to add.. (Score:2)
Why buy a new one? (Score:3, Informative)
There are generally a few on eBay that are sold as hacked if you don't want to go through it yourself. Buy a hacked one, sell the old one for someone else to hack.
I use to support these things while working for Earthlink/MindSpring. They're not that bad after you put Linux on them. I've thought of buying one myself just to throw in the corner for a stats setup for my network, computers and hosting servers - just don't have the time.
Re:Why buy a new one? (Score:4, Informative)
AMD Personal Internet Communicator (Score:1)
2 solutions (Score:2)
Second solution is to bite the bullet an
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They even have a completely fanless computer [damnsmalllinux.org].
(I am in no way affiliated with the DSL team unless you count recurring donations)
Bleh, forgot to add (Score:1)
2. They have a simple system for customizing and even remastering the DSL package so you can just make the changes and a new CD *easily*.
Too Expensive (Score:2)
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Conversely, AMD 3200 CPUs & MB (which I can get for $59 After Rebate at microcenter.com) are mass-market items.
To make a server box full of disks and not have "fans running all the time" will not happen - no matter what the CPU is, a box with four drives will most likely require fans to keep the HDs cool.
Ken
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http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions
Modified Xbox with a usb modem? (Score:4, Interesting)
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Quick fix (Score:3, Insightful)
What you want to get is a minimal PC and install either Firefox, Opera or early versions of Netscape. Then, you configure the browsers to load minimal information (i.e. text only) and retrieves the extras only when required (i.e. clicking on an "Images" button.)
The greatest reason why modern sites load slowly on Dial-up is because of the large quantity of images - cutting them out (especially the advertisements) significantly speeds up loading time.
Any updates (other than the initial download of Flash and Java) that are available for your system are not needed to be installed as long as you keep a firewall enabled, and don't blindingly auto-execute any files from the web.
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Appliances for browsing the web like i-Opener and MSN-TV (formerly WebTV) are basically dead.
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To kenh... (Score:2)
Might not only be helpful for you but also to others looking for a similar solution.
Damn Small (Score:1)
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Too much in that it is not a newbie operating system. What the guy needs is an appliance that does a few things in a completely consistent way.
Not enough in that Dillo, while impressive in its resource efficiency, sacrifices standards implementation to achieve it: no ECMAScript, no CSS, no frames. Among other things this means no Google Maps. It means being a second class citizen on many ecommerce sites, as they
Puppy Linux? (Score:1)
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Cheap/old x86 with Fedora? (Score:4, Interesting)
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Keith
What's wrong with a Live CD? (Score:5, Interesting)
You can do just that with any Live CD Linux. Something not working as it should? Reboot. The only downside is the longer boot time. Install to a HD to make it faster (mounted as RO to keep it tamper-proof). I'm sure there are special live CD distributions that come with a fool proof GUI, ie. a big friendly button labeled "INTARWEB".
DSL linux (Score:2)
I've tried a lot of Live CDs and I really like
VMWare (Score:5, Informative)
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Ken
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second is there isn't any iOpener like solutions available because it really wasn't a great solution for most people. Notice that they are no longer around. MSNTV is probably the closest you will get off the shelf.
A mac is probably the next closest off the shelf solution.
I would recommend the live cd or a properly installed or configured full Linux box.
Unbuntu is easy to use and you can configure it however you want.
Another good solution is a m
Cheap and easy solution... (Score:2, Insightful)
2) Install Kubuntu and set KDE into kiosk mode.
iMac G3 (Score:5, Informative)
At the college where I do tech support we have a number of instructors (especially the older ones) who are not technologically inclined, but they need to do their grading on our web site, so they need a device that runs a modern web browser supported by our portal software. We're an art school, so we have a bunch of old G3-powered iMacs sitting around, and that's what we give them. Install OS X on them (they'll all run Panther; the oldest ones can install Tiger using a utility called XPostFacto), set it to auto-run Safari or Firefox when the machine starts, and voila: a generally trouble-free web browsing system in a friendly-looking package. Even a leisurely 233MHz G3 is fast enough and 128-256MB RAM should be plenty for web browsing. (Bump it to 320 or more if you want to also install NeoOffice.)
You didn't say why you'd eliminated a Mac as an option, and this pretty much meets your requirements. Yes, OS X does have a Software Update app that periodically prompts the user to install the latest security fixes and requires him to click some license agreements for them, but if you have to disable that to avoid confusing/annoying Dad or because he's on a slow dial-up line, it'll probably be OK (certainly moreso than an un-updated Windows machine). Firefox's updates might be annoying but they're quick and easy. An iMac isn't instant-on (especially not a G3), but if you let it Sleep instead of shutting it down it will be.
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Other than that, I agree with you that the submitter should consider a full computer. But not because it can be made as simple as a web appliance; instead, because it is mo
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Because they're adequate, and they're dirt cheap. I thought it was self-evident that something faster and newer might work also.
Because that's what he asked for? Just because you get all hot and moist about all the great things you can do with a computer doesn't mean everyone does, and this kind of unable-to-listen gadget shoving is really obnoxious. The poster asked for something for a
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I can occasionally find a G4 Mac at a local university surpl
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And this didn't make you go "EEEEWWWWWW"?!?!?
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Personally, I would choose the iMac G4. i-Opener is a flat panel unit and I think the G4 version would be a better successor, not only will it take more memory, run faster, it's more compact and I think looks a lot nicer than the G3.
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iMac ( LCD version, not older CRT) (Score:2)
I'm sure a larger screen with better resolution will be a welcome change, and he may even get into some of the new features, like digital picture management or music with iTunes, etc.
The older G4 iMac, which looks a bit like a lamp, would be okay and not too expensive. A newer G5 iMac is a lot like the iOpener (all in one monitor unit)
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Unlikely to find your Holeless Grail (Score:3, Insightful)
Instead of "and no software 'update' downloads" I suggest aiming for "fast, effective, automatic, unobtrusive-to-simple-usage software update downloads."
Look to well-supported OSes for meeting this revised requirement. I like Apple, personally, and have regard for several Linux distributions' efforts in this area. I even appreciate Microsoft's work in regard to software updates, although the quickest fixes are related to protecting Hollywood and not their OS users (however, my biggest gripe with Winodws is the fact that #1 above has not occured w/r/t Windows).
People find innovative ways to cause havoc everyday. Therefore a system designed for common users without built-in automated patching must be rejected. ROM-based systems are fine, unless, as you have found out, that new stuff is needed for features required to surf the modern web. Once you open that 'hole' you are in need of patching.
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Linux, then. You want to be able to patch not only the OS and core apps, but any app you have to install. Neither Windows nor OS X has anything like this that is at all easy to use or up-to-date.
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OS X is update neutral for many many situations. Linux is actually fairly similar but really only the newer distros are suitable for average users anyways so that's a strike against... and Windows, well you hit it on the mark there, required upd
Pepper Pad (Score:5, Informative)
We've designed the Pad and its software to be an appliance. The user never needs to interact with the underlying OS, although it is an option for those who want to. While we do provide software updates on a regular basis, the Pad can be configured not to get them.
Disclaimer: I work for Pepper.
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--Just stop pushing back
Nokia 770 ? (Score:2)
369Eu, should be cheaper in the US...
Deal ?
Reveal the secret requirement (Score:3, Insightful)
You list requirements, and then list some computers that meet those requirements. If they're not good enough, then either say why a Mac or flash-Linux box isn't good enough, or else list the secret requirements that ruled them out.
Is fast booting from ROM one of the requirements? Is it the simplicity and efficiency of QNX?
Several years ago, many Amiga refugees were looking for somewhere to go, and QNX Neutrino was a very appealing candidate, because it matched AmigaOS' speed/efficiency/elegance. Alas, I ended up not going that way (didn't want to risk getting burned again by depending on proprietary software), and didn't keep up with what happened to that group. I wonder how well things went for them. A cheap x86 box that boots Neutrino and runs Firefox on top of that, might be what you're asking for.
AMD Personal Internet Communicator (Score:2, Informative)
http://www.amd.com/us-en/ConnectivitySolutions/Pr
There's at least one on ebay for $150.
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G4 Mac Mini on ebay for under $150 used but in great working condition.. not my item just a search result. [ebay.com]
No viruses, runs a great OS... has a combo CD burner DVD drive, etc. etc.
Live CD (Score:1)
Get a mac (Score:1)
Also most dsl, or cable internet is as cheap as dial up and most isp are shipping modems with build in nat some even have firewalls.
If only QNX had marketing (Score:2)
Actually, if you rebuilt the i-Opener software in QNX with QNX 6.3, the current version, you'd get a new browser that supports more modern web sites. You just have to build a distro with the pieces you need, use "mkifs" to build a ROMable image with the components needed, and burn a new ROM.
It would cost about $8000 to buy a QNX development seat, but you could distribute the resulting software. You can get a free 30 day trial version [qnx.com], and after 30 days, the Eclipse IDE turns off, as does "QCC", the fr
MSN TV internet appliance (Score:2)
http://www.msntv.com/pc/ [msntv.com]
Not likely to find any... (Score:2)
to a real PC to make it compelling except with people looking for a locked down
appliance type configuration- and I know for a fact there weren't any takers
because I'd not have experienced the downturn from the dot-bomb and 9/11 quite
so severely otherwise.
The closest thing would be to snag something like DSL (DamnSmallLinux), Knoppix,
or similar, add a smallish USB or IDE flash disk to the CHEAPEST computer you
can find.
iMac or Mac Mini in Kiosk mode (Score:2)
Cheap, Zero fuss, available anywhere and it's cool.
linux on a mac? why bother (Score:5, Insightful)
Buy a mac mini and cheap LCD or an iMac.
Get OS X updated and ready to go.
Create a new account with "Simple Finder" enabled. Give your dad access to Safari, Mail, Text Edit, QuickTime, and maybe Chess. Plus any other apps you feel would be useful.
Keep the administrator account on there, and when it needs updating come over and do it.
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Better still, update it remotely. /usr/sbin/softwareupdate is your friend. man softwareupdate for more info.
-Ster
Your best bet (Score:1)