[gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[Mike Williams]

Hey all,

I need a laptop. But the requirements are slightly odd.
This is for a machine to stay in our colo cage for use as a barcode scanner, 
serial interface, basic GUI, and ssh server management console, etc.
It needs to have USB for an eToken, PS2 for a barcode scanner, serial to 
manage PDUs KVM etc, on-board ethernet, and not be flimsy, big, or expensive.

Obviously we can easily get a USB to serial adapter, meaning we'd need at 
least 2 USB ports, but a PS2 keyboard port seems a rarity now-a-days.

Battery life isn't really important. Doesn't need to be a properly ruggadized, 
just sturdy. 15" or so screen, with a decent resolution to fit webpages and 
OO documents etc, 17" is too big. 512-1G of ram, so-so CPU (this P4M 1.8 I'm 
using is way more than powerful enough).

Can anyone recommend a laptop that does all these things, runs Linux happily 
(Gentoo of course), and isn't a Thinkpad (I was forced to use one a few years 
ago, and hated it).

Thanks

-- 
Mike Williams
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Re: [gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[David Relson]

On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:14:58 +0000
Mike Williams wrote:

> Hey all,
> 
> I need a laptop. But the requirements are slightly odd.
> This is for a machine to stay in our colo cage for use as a barcode
> scanner, serial interface, basic GUI, and ssh server management
> console, etc. It needs to have USB for an eToken, PS2 for a barcode
> scanner, serial to manage PDUs KVM etc, on-board ethernet, and not be
> flimsy, big, or expensive.
> 
> Obviously we can easily get a USB to serial adapter, meaning we'd
> need at least 2 USB ports, but a PS2 keyboard port seems a rarity
> now-a-days.
> 
> Battery life isn't really important. Doesn't need to be a properly
> ruggadized, just sturdy. 15" or so screen, with a decent resolution
> to fit webpages and OO documents etc, 17" is too big. 512-1G of ram,
> so-so CPU (this P4M 1.8 I'm using is way more than powerful enough).
> 
> Can anyone recommend a laptop that does all these things, runs Linux
> happily (Gentoo of course), and isn't a Thinkpad (I was forced to use
> one a few years ago, and hated it).

Have you thought about a PS/2 to USB adapter?  I'm presently using a
PS/2 keyboard _and_ a PS/2 mouse connected to a single USB port (with a
"Y" adapter -- dual PS/2 inputs and USB output).

Also a USB hub might work to connect multiple USB devices to a single
port.

HTH,

David
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Re: [gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[Mike Williams]

On Thursday 14 February 2008 22:58:13 David Relson wrote:
> Have you thought about a PS/2 to USB adapter?  I'm presently using a
> PS/2 keyboard _and_ a PS/2 mouse connected to a single USB port (with a
> "Y" adapter -- dual PS/2 inputs and USB output).

D'you know what, I didn't even realise such a thing existed!
I've probably got dozens of USB to PS2 adaptors, and never imagined the 
opposite.
A dual PS2 to USB could well do the trick, and my local Maplin have some in 
stock, a bit pricey but the company will pay.

Thanks very much.

-- 
Mike Williams
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RE: [gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[Adam Carter]

> Obviously we can easily get a USB to serial adapter

You can still get laptops with real serial ports (HP sell them). You
might want to investigate whether you can manipulate the USB serial
adapter to your requirements. I tried once with setserial and it didn't
work - I havent had time to look into it further (potentially driver
dependent??). Minicom works fine for configuring routers/unix boxes
however.

absydos adam # file /dev/ttyUSB0
/dev/ttyUSB0: character special (188/0)
absydos adam # setserial /dev/ttyUSB0
Cannot get serial info: Invalid argument
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Re: [gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[David Relson]

On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:29:58 +0000
Mike Williams wrote:

> On Thursday 14 February 2008 22:58:13 David Relson wrote:
> > Have you thought about a PS/2 to USB adapter?  I'm presently using a
> > PS/2 keyboard _and_ a PS/2 mouse connected to a single USB port
> > (with a "Y" adapter -- dual PS/2 inputs and USB output).
> 
> D'you know what, I didn't even realise such a thing existed!
> I've probably got dozens of USB to PS2 adaptors, and never imagined
> the opposite.
> A dual PS2 to USB could well do the trick, and my local Maplin have
> some in stock, a bit pricey but the company will pay.

Here in Michigan they seem a bit pricey, as well.  A single PS/2 to USB
adapter is a few dollars but the dual PS/2 to USB "Y" adapter is $16.00
(or worse).  I had hoped to use one with my PS/2 only KVM but the combo
doesn't work.  I suspect the issue is with the KVM as I have 2
different "Y" adapters and neither works.  Sigh :-<
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Re: [gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[Iain Buchanan]

On Thu, 2008-02-14 at 20:21 -0500, David Relson wrote:
> On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:29:58 +0000
> Mike Williams wrote:
> 
> > On Thursday 14 February 2008 22:58:13 David Relson wrote:
> > > Have you thought about a PS/2 to USB adapter?  I'm presently using a
> > > PS/2 keyboard _and_ a PS/2 mouse connected to a single USB port
> > > (with a "Y" adapter -- dual PS/2 inputs and USB output).
> > 
> > D'you know what, I didn't even realise such a thing existed!
> > I've probably got dozens of USB to PS2 adaptors, and never imagined
> > the opposite.
> > A dual PS2 to USB could well do the trick, and my local Maplin have
> > some in stock, a bit pricey but the company will pay.
> 
> Here in Michigan they seem a bit pricey, as well.  A single PS/2 to USB
> adapter is a few dollars but the dual PS/2 to USB "Y" adapter is $16.00
> (or worse).  I had hoped to use one with my PS/2 only KVM but the combo
> doesn't work.  I suspect the issue is with the KVM as I have 2
> different "Y" adapters and neither works.  Sigh :-<

The Dell business models (precision) docking stations have 2 PS2 ports.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DELL-Dock-Station-PR01X-LATITUDE-INSPIRON-FREE-DELIVERY_W0QQitemZ320215888408QQihZ011QQcategoryZ3709QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A docking station would be an excellent idea if you need the peripherals
to work without fussing with cables.  If/when you do need to pick it up
to move / replace something, you don't need to worry about unplugging &
replugging 6 different cables in the right spots...  You can even tie /
screw the docking station down (or get one of those D-View laptop
stands)
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Dell-D-View-Laptop-Stand-NEW_W0QQitemZ200199102199QQihZ010QQcategoryZ3708QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

sorry about the ebay links, but dell of course doesn't list these things
in their "products" page...
-- 
Iain Buchanan <iaindb at netspace dot net dot au>

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries, is not "Eureka!" (I found it!) but "That's funny ..."
		-- Isaac Asimov

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Re: [gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[Florian Philipp]

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On Fri, 2008-02-15 at 12:09 +0930, Iain Buchanan wrote:
> On Thu, 2008-02-14 at 20:21 -0500, David Relson wrote:
> > On Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:29:58 +0000
> > Mike Williams wrote:
> > 
> > > On Thursday 14 February 2008 22:58:13 David Relson wrote:
> > > > Have you thought about a PS/2 to USB adapter?  I'm presently using a
> > > > PS/2 keyboard _and_ a PS/2 mouse connected to a single USB port
> > > > (with a "Y" adapter -- dual PS/2 inputs and USB output).
> > > 
> > > D'you know what, I didn't even realise such a thing existed!
> > > I've probably got dozens of USB to PS2 adaptors, and never imagined
> > > the opposite.
> > > A dual PS2 to USB could well do the trick, and my local Maplin have
> > > some in stock, a bit pricey but the company will pay.
> > 
> > Here in Michigan they seem a bit pricey, as well.  A single PS/2 to USB
> > adapter is a few dollars but the dual PS/2 to USB "Y" adapter is $16.00
> > (or worse).  I had hoped to use one with my PS/2 only KVM but the combo
> > doesn't work.  I suspect the issue is with the KVM as I have 2
> > different "Y" adapters and neither works.  Sigh :-<
> 
> The Dell business models (precision) docking stations have 2 PS2 ports.
> 
> http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DELL-Dock-Station-PR01X-LATITUDE-INSPIRON-FREE-DELIVERY_W0QQitemZ320215888408QQihZ011QQcategoryZ3709QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
> 
> A docking station would be an excellent idea if you need the peripherals
> to work without fussing with cables.  If/when you do need to pick it up
> to move / replace something, you don't need to worry about unplugging &
> replugging 6 different cables in the right spots...  You can even tie /
> screw the docking station down (or get one of those D-View laptop
> stands)
> http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Dell-D-View-Laptop-Stand-NEW_W0QQitemZ200199102199QQihZ010QQcategoryZ3708QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
> 
> sorry about the ebay links, but dell of course doesn't list these things
> in their "products" page...
> -- 

If you buy a docking station, double check what kind of AC-adapter you
use. A PA-12 (65W) is not powerful enough to supply a docking station.
You'll need a PA-10. Some notebooks are shipped with a PA-10, some with
a PA-12 with no apparent system.

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OT: Cheap PS2/USB keyboard/mouse adaptors. WAS: Re: [gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[Stroller]

On 15 Feb 2008, at 01:21, David Relson wrote:
> ...
> Here in Michigan they seem a bit pricey, as well.  A single PS/2 to  
> USB
> adapter is a few dollars but the dual PS/2 to USB "Y" adapter is  
> $16.00
> (or worse).  I had hoped to use one with my PS/2 only KVM but the  
> combo
> doesn't work.  I suspect the issue is with the KVM as I have 2
> different "Y" adapters and neither works.  Sigh :-<

Here are these cables for only $5 delivered (worldwide):
   http://ledshoppe.com/Product/com/CA4036.htm

I have used Ye Olde Ledde Shoppe on a number of occasions and have  
been very happy with their service. A delivery failed to arrive once  
& I contacted CCnow (the payments processor) and the purchase price  
was refunded immediately; a replacement order I made with Ledde  
Shoppe arrived a few days later.

These Y-cables are supposed to work with KVMs, but I have only had my  
KVM a couple of weeks, so haven't gotten around yet to testing  
thoroughly. My KVM is (apparently) PS2 only, but it does have a PS2 /  
USB keyboard setting in the configuration menus, so it might be worth  
playing with that if yours is the same.

Stroller.
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Re: OT: Cheap PS2/USB keyboard/mouse adaptors. WAS: Re: [gentoo-user] slightly OT, laptop for gentoo

[David Relson]

On Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:45:58 +0000
Stroller wrote:

> 
> On 15 Feb 2008, at 01:21, David Relson wrote:
> > ...
> > Here in Michigan they seem a bit pricey, as well.  A single PS/2
> > to USB
> > adapter is a few dollars but the dual PS/2 to USB "Y" adapter is  
> > $16.00
> > (or worse).  I had hoped to use one with my PS/2 only KVM but the  
> > combo
> > doesn't work.  I suspect the issue is with the KVM as I have 2
> > different "Y" adapters and neither works.  Sigh :-<
> 
> Here are these cables for only $5 delivered (worldwide):
>    http://ledshoppe.com/Product/com/CA4036.htm
> 
> I have used Ye Olde Ledde Shoppe on a number of occasions and have  
> been very happy with their service. A delivery failed to arrive once  
> & I contacted CCnow (the payments processor) and the purchase price  
> was refunded immediately; a replacement order I made with Ledde  
> Shoppe arrived a few days later.
> 
> These Y-cables are supposed to work with KVMs, but I have only had
> my KVM a couple of weeks, so haven't gotten around yet to testing  
> thoroughly. My KVM is (apparently) PS2 only, but it does have a
> PS2 / USB keyboard setting in the configuration menus, so it might be
> worth playing with that if yours is the same.
> 
> Stroller.

I'm willing to gamble $5 on a company I've never heard of.  If it works
with my KVM it'll be great (and I'll be able to return the $16 cable
that doesn't work).  Even if it just works with my keyboard and mouse
I'll be able to return the cable.  How can I lose???

David
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