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.

[chance33_98]

sent ya some freepmail!

[lorrainer]

Bookmarking for later

[chance33_98]

Let me know if you need help stripping out names and such. A ton of ways to do it (like save the source and grep/sed/awk) or a full fledge perl script to navigate to the page(s) and do all the work from start to finish. I am going to be wrapped up most of this week (my long work week, 5 nights of 12a-12p) but I usually spend most my nights at work either freeping or studying (the servers run fairly well there, out of 400+ I only avg 1-2 down ones a week).

If you're running windows on a desktop look into cygwin sometime, pretty slick (Cygwin is a Linux-like environment for Windows) Lets you do grep/sed/awk/etc and so on (better than using MS's toolkit for unix, on which I have posted articles previously).

There are a zillion things out there, and it is good to see so many people here with varied experience and knowledge. I have a lot of gaps, good to see them filled in! :)

[AppyPappy]

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.

No you don't. You will be back to fighting memory problems and risking lost data. Step up to StarOffice or OpenOffice and save yourself the heartache.

[Xthe17th]

While we're on the subject of old computers, I hear that Rotary Club sponsors some sort of program that collects and refurbishes old computer equipment/software for schools/the needy.

Being that I have a closet-full of one of each (Tandy, 286, 386SX, 486, early Pentiums, laptops [sorry, none HP], monitors, drives, disks, manuals, etc., etc) just collecting dust and taking up space, I'd like to know. Hey, they're good for simple games and the 386 on ups work for light typing and spreadsheet use. I even used to do AutoCad and engineering work on the later models.

FUND-RAISING IDEA: Perhaps we can assemble our own list of old FReeper equipment and sell it for cash - proceeds half to FR and half to charity? We'll need to also put together a volunteer list of aplicable tech skills. LMK,

- Jeff in WV

[AppyPappy]

Our local schools have very strict standards on donated PC's because of maintenance costs. They don't want to become a dumping ground for old computers and spend lots of money trying to keep them running.

It costs less than $300 to build a good computer so resale values aren't very good on old ones.

[Xthe17th]

Yep, but the oldies are good for young kids to play with. A good learning experience. Probably learn more just trying to repair them... a cheap technical indoctrination, IMHO. (learn about electronics, basic computer structure, can open up drives/floppies to study mechanisms, etc.) Somewhere around here I have an old 8088 chip cut-open and encased in clear lucite. Children are sponges. Inquiring minds want to know.

my 2¢

[js1138]

The reason you are having trouble finding a machine in the class you are searching in is that they suck. The main area of advance in laptops is in battery technology, power management and display. None of the older machines have displays adequate for GUI interfaces.

If you want a text based interface, you might get by with PC-DOS, the IBM version of MS-DOS.

There is a Tandy laptop with an LCD display that field researchers love because it survives physical abuse. It still has followers, even though the technology is old.

[MissTargets]

I have utilized the "My Subscriptions" indexing, that FR provides.
This keeps me up-to-date on the lastest posts on computer related subjects.
You could create a ping list of sorts, like the "bang list" does.

Good luck!

[MississippiMan]

Take a look on eBay. Bearing in mind that you want to be VERY careful about WHO you buy from on there—find someone with a strong rating—you can get Pentium or PII notebooks quite cheap on there now. You don't want a 386 or 486 because you're going to be SO limited in what you can do. Just no point in it.

And as someone else mentioned, look into StarOffice if you don't like Office. I'm sure someone can give you a current link and it's a full-fledged office suite that I've heard is quite stable now.

Pretty cool idea for the Computer Central, BTW. My expertise is a mish-mash. I've written many articles that were published in several of the large computer magazines, I do general consulting, and I'm presently going through a program to become a certified Computer Forensics Examiner. I'll try to keep an eye on these threads and jump in when I can help.

MM

[RedWing9]

Although I commend you for trying to set this up, I can see the mission is going to be "bash-gates central"... Why not just call it what it is?

[optimistically_conservative]

Great questions, and as a fairly new user, I doubt I have very good answers. You can ping the Admin Moderator or Jim Robinson with questions or ideas on useability improvements.

I bookmarked this posting and found it very useful for organizing and managing threads using the sidebar: The Ultimate Sidebar Management Thread

You also probably already know how to modify your subscriptions.

[DeaconBenjamin]

I have a question, oh guru. I have software on my computer (from whence I know not) that it entitled "FREEDOM", and which claims to be from an outfit called Zero Knowledge. Just what is this garbage anyway?

[baseballmom]

FYI

[Clinging Bitterly]

...Tandy 102 laptop...

I remember those. Very popular with Ham Radio operators for packet terminals. I used (and still use) a more traditional tandy XT style laptop, the 1400FD. A NEC V-20 CPU running at a blistering 10 Mhz, a good sized flip up backlit LCD screen, regular sized keyboard keys, plus a pair of 3.5" floppy drives and MS-DOS 3.32 tricked out with a handy 128K Ramdisk running in upper memory(because two floppies never seem to be quite enough), AND a built in 1200 Baud modem! You could also get 'em with a 40 Meg hard drive, and if CC could find one of those, it'd probably be darn near free and it'd run WP 5.1 just fine.

Dave in Eugene

[Computer Central]

Quick Tuesday Morning Hello: (@ 35 posts) TO ALL

1. + #31 - Anti-Gates Site? + - A meaningful 'Compter Central' would welcome ALL computer users. PC's, Apple/Mac, ...all. There can be a section for anti-Gates/MS info/opinions, but it doesn't need to dominate the site. The mission would be to provide computer discussion & help.

2. + #24 - fighting memory problems and risking lost data.. w./WP5.1 + now, you would have to go and remind me of.... thanks.

AND Thanks to All the other Posts. - Good Info, ideas,

AND generally Supportive to the Idea of having an FR Computer Central.

If people were to support the development of a Computer Central, it can't just 'belong' to me. I don't have the time to monitor it 24/7, & I don't have the expertise that others who have posted here.

Normally, Jim Robinson does not want people sharing PASSWORDS on their account. But, others would be needed to help run a 'FR Computer Central'. I'm open to it, if Jim is. This current name & site belongs to FR, if they want to use it.

In addition to doing all the work on FR, people could provide the links to good computer help sites on the web.

That's all for Tues. am.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

If such a site already exists, please provide a link. If such a site already exists, please provide a link.

Computer Central is a great idea. Keeps it all in "the family" so to speak. Advice from trusted sources is always appreciated.

Since you asked, here's a link to a great site that has helped me countless times. The denizens there are knowledgeable and responses to questions are always swift and plentiful.

Computing.Net

[Publius6961]

Funny you should post this.
I am about to go cable and wireless and would love input from others who have done it already.

What are the caveats and pitfalls?
Are some router companies more reliable than others?
Is it possible to have a wireless LAN/Internet setup?

So many questions... so little time

[js1138]

What are the caveats and pitfalls?

Wireless claims of range (300 ft., etc.) are bogus. With luck you'll get 75 feet. Encryption shortens the range, and believe it or not, can cause laptop wireless cards to overheat and shut down. If you aren't doing anything illegal, you might skip wireless encryption and set your access points up to talk only to each other. This is done by specifying the MAC addresses they will talk to. This function will probably require searching through all the menu choices during setup, since it is seldom well documented.

[RedWing9]

A meaningful 'Compter Central' would welcome ALL computer users. PC's, Apple/Mac

I'm sure it would, but given the hits you've had so far I can tell you it would be nothing but...