[Bradford] Project proposal for Braford LUG

[Stop Watch Consulting Ltd]

It is widely reported - El Reg, ZD Net, among others - that the problem 
with getting Linux onto the mainstream desktop is that it is too much 
trouble for the average user to download, burn, load and I can easily 
understand that. I don't see the point of doing everything for them, so 
it may make sense to buy the OS-free basic boxes from CCL Computers 
(Tong) which they put out at decent spec for in the region of £180. Add 
a bit on for BradLUG and the user has a good spec box with an excellent 
OS for a very reasonable price.

Without wishing to set light to a flame war, which distro are you all 
assuming? ;-)

Nick Rhodes wrote:
> Interesting idea, the Bradlin PC.
> 
> One issue would be the fact that hardware changes so fast, that the
> reference design would need frequent update.
> 
> Maybe one option would be to provide a (free ?) Linux PC service, where we
> offer assistance in choosing hardware, building and installation.
> 
> Another option would be to provide information on where to look to check
> hardware compatibility.
> 
> Finally, we could work with a local supplier (maybe someone on here) who can
> provide ready to run BradLinPC ready running with a popular Linux distro.
> 
> Cheers, Nick
> 
> 2009/10/2 Bernard Czenkusz <bernie at skipole.co.uk>
> 
>> Hi everyone.
>>
>> I sometimes get a casual interest from people regarding Linux, that
>> never goes anywhere.  It's a problem that Linux PC's cannot be easily
>> bought off the shelf.
>>
>> So I'm wondering - would it be worth the LUG taking on a project to create:
>>
>> 1 A reference design for a modest desktop PC.  By reference design I'm
>> thinking of a CPU, motherboard, hard drive, case etc., made from current
>> components easily available.
>>
>> 2 Build one - so the lug could loan it out to people who express an
>> interest.
>>
>> 3 Publish a document "The Bradford Lug standard PC MkI"
>>
>> 4 Perhaps offer such units for sale,
>>  - profits to go to the lug and pay for the tea and biscuits.
>>
>>
>> Is such a project feasible, and of interest? Or not? Any opinions?
>>
>>  Cheers
>>
>>    Bernie
>>
>>
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>> Bradford at mailman.lug.org.uk
>> https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/bradford
>>
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> 

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