My new hobby

[JesseeS]

After completing the bike (ya right), and finding out my wife is pregnant with baby number 2, I decided I needed to find some indoor hobbies. As someone who has never been good with computers I figured that would be a fun task. As a tinkerer and wanting to learn, I decided to use what I have on hand or could get for cheap. My first project is creating a Plex server. Ultimately, I am my own Netflix. Streaming movies, tv shows and music that I own on any device that has access to my account. I figured this was a good project seeing as how smart tvs are basically the norm, and vhs and dvd players are becoming more rare and not able to hook up to new tvs without buying more parts. I settled on an older elite desk mini as I’m big into small form factor. Added a fan and a 5tb external hard drive. It works fantastic. Next, I wanted a computer for the garage. I have a tablet for when I need something up close and a quick zoom in like a wiring diagram, but a dedicated area to browse the forums and order parts seemed useful. Seeing as how I wasn’t going to buy a computer just for the garage, I decided to salvage my broken laptop from the basement. I took the motherboard from it, used some standoffs on ABS plastic, got a wireless usb drive as well as wireless keyboard and mouse and presto! My POS device! I plan on just using heavy duty Velcro and sticking it to the back on the tv. As you can see it’s very thin and no bigger than my baby hands. Best is if it does or breaks, no big deal and I’m really out nothing. I’m really enjoying learning computers, especially trying to figure out Linux

 

[Jim]

Nicely done, Jessee!!

Ubuntu is my flavor of choice. Back when I learned Linux, you had to manually compile your own kernel. There was no auto installer like Windows. If you wanted a browser like Netscape Navigator, you had to install it one file at a time. Modern Linux comes with a built in installer app. Makes life much easier.
You can also install a boot loader. That way you can run Winders and Ubuntu on the same machine.

 

[JesseeS]

Nicely done, Jessee!!

Ubuntu is my flavor of choice. Back when I learned Linux, you had to manually compile your own kernel. There was no auto installer like Windows. If you wanted a browser like Netscape Navigator, you had to install it one file at a time. Modern Linux comes with a built in installer app. Makes life much easier.
You can also install a boot loader. That way you can run Winders and Ubuntu on the same machine.

Thanks Jim! I actually was running Ubuntu in a dual boot set up for a little bit, and even though it is seen as beginner friendly, the actual layout itself was a big leap for me by itself. I ended up really enjoying Linux Mint, especially in Mate as it is very close to Windows. I am currently looking up some cheap laptops on eBay to use strictly as a Linux learning space without having the dedicate part of my laptop to it as you know installing certain applications or setting things up still requires some time and dedication. I Was also considering a raspberry pi as well.

 

[Jim]

I Was also considering a raspberry pi as well.

Me as well.

 

[mrtwowheel]

Who dreams up these computer terms? Like, let's call it this that makes no sense, then it becomes a secret.

 

[TX650A Van Islander]

Congrats Jessee on upcoming baby #2!

 

[JesseeS]

Jurassic parkWho dreams up these computer terms? Like, let's call it this that makes no sense, then it becomes a secret.

It’s like in Jurassic park. “Uh uh uh, you didn’t say the magic word”

 

[JesseeS]

Congrats Jessee on upcoming baby #2!

Thank you!

 

[Jan_P]

Thanks Jim! I actually was running Ubuntu in a dual boot set up for a little bit, and even though it is seen as beginner friendly, the actual layout itself was a big leap for me by itself. I ended up really enjoying Linux Mint, especially in Mate as it is very close to Windows. I am currently looking up some cheap laptops on eBay to use strictly as a Linux learning space without having the dedicate part of my laptop to it as you know installing certain applications or setting things up still requires some time and dedication. I Was also considering a raspberry pi as well.

I have been running dual boot and Ubuntu for many Years .Other Linux Long Time ago Red Hat and Suse
I believe Ubuntu is the simplest to start on
It is User Friendly and can be used with a Graphical interface as Windows

All have the Command window .But Unless used to them .. And Specific commands has a learning curve .. That can be
difficult to master and remember Powerful command Window
It is in Win to -- DOS command but is more usable in Linux

But many commands can be Copied from Online and pasted in for achieving the result Huge advantage in comparison to Windows
Ubuntu also have a fairly good repository programs
And can handle old hardware better than Windows

If you are going for an older Laptop Please check the Ubuntu version .Later versions have hardware requirements
It will run and rather fast as long as you get the right version for the PC
It probably will tell you and stop the Installing if to new

If You ask me a Desktop PC and separate Monitor /Screen is better .Larger Especially compared to older laptops.

 

[JesseeS]

Thanks Jan. I may have to check out Ubuntu again. I keep a flash drive with multiple isos on it as well as a cloned windows ssd so I can always go back if needed. I’ll also check out the desktops as well. The small form factors HPs tend to be a good price

 

[JOHNDADDY]

After completing the bike (ya right), and finding out my wife is pregnant with baby number 2, I decided I needed to find some indoor hobbies. As someone who has never been good with computers I figured that would be a fun task. As a tinkerer and wanting to learn, I decided to use what I have on hand or could get for cheap. My first project is creating a Plex server. Ultimately, I am my own Netflix. Streaming movies, tv shows and music that I own on any device that has access to my account. I figured this was a good project seeing as how smart tvs are basically the norm, and vhs and dvd players are becoming more rare and not able to hook up to new tvs without buying more parts. I settled on an older elite desk mini as I’m big into small form factor. Added a fan and a 5tb external hard drive. It works fantastic. Next, I wanted a computer for the garage. I have a tablet for when I need something up close and a quick zoom in like a wiring diagram, but a dedicated area to browse the forums and order parts seemed useful. Seeing as how I wasn’t going to buy a computer just for the garage, I decided to salvage my broken laptop from the basement. I took the motherboard from it, used some standoffs on ABS plastic, got a wireless usb drive as well as wireless keyboard and mouse and presto! My POS device! I plan on just using heavy duty Velcro and sticking it to the back on the tv. As you can see it’s very thin and no bigger than my baby hands. Best is if it does or breaks, no big deal and I’m really out nothing. I’m really enjoying learning computers, especially trying to figure out Linux

You just got in an F15 and went way over my head and really fast.
Send it. Just funnin, absolutely clueless.

 

[Jan_P]

Thanks Jan. I may have to check out Ubuntu again. I keep a flash drive with multiple isos on it as well as a cloned windows ssd so I can always go back if needed. I’ll also check out the desktops as well. The small form factors HPs tend to be a good price

Dont know you Ambitions and Finances
But here people are shifting away their PC for tablets and laptops
So one can find working PC s for $ 30 ish I look at the Sticker where I can se what Windows version was installed from the beginning
And what CPU
Win 10 would be reasonable
A Monitor a $ 15
Mouse and keyboard cheap
Here are companies reselling used Computers .They get them from Businesses upgrading a bit more costly
Then there are flea markets
And Car boot sales
It is a risk of course buying at a car boot sale ;Bought one cheap god CPU I 7
But there was no RAM or Disc inside .. but it was cheap .bought those missing items

Linux is known for running on lesser capacity hardware .

Apparently you have one Computer now already it is good have more than one should fex the Linux setup stall big time
The other one can be used go online looking for solution
And maybe a fresh install is the best and easiest solution the cheap computer can be for that Experimenting
Linux is open so getting it wrong on the command line can cause problems ..That can trash the whole installation