Hi Folks,
I'd be grateful for comments on possible solutions to the
following things I'm thinking of looking for.
1. "Mini-laptop"
I'm interested in something hand-held which is very easily carried
from point to point, with a keyboard that is easy to use for
entering textual information (there will be a lot of this, and
accuracy is important). Needs to be connectable to "mainframe"
box via ethernet (or USB at a pinch).
A standard laptop is rather too cumbersome and awkward (needs
to be stood on something and the fold-down screen would tend
to flap around; also it would very much be on the heavy side
for what I have in mind. I'm envisaging using this while
standing, walking around, or even crouching.)[**1]
Probably the "PDA" type of thing is too tiny for my spatulate
fingertips, but that's the sort of size (or somewhat bigger)
which I have in mind.
And linux-capable of course!
2. Headless and handless (and legless -- just a tube up the bum)
Here I'm interested in a simple small silent box with a full-scale
computer inside it that doesn't need a screen or a keyboard, but
will simply sit in a small corner of a shelf and be networked to
others (either of a similar kind, or standard PC/laptop). And it
should stay cool, preferably.
Basically, somthing on the lines of "laptop with no screen or
keyboard" gives the idea of what I have in mind.
(Probably would need to be connectable to extrenal monitor and
keyboard for initial installation purposes, but the intention is
that this shold be a transitory situation. Must be linux-capable.)
The idea here is that they would be "server" boxes (1 or 2 or
even 3 of them), to which user access would be via a networked
laptop or similar (e.g. the outcome of query #1).
All coments and suggestions gratefully welcomed!
Best wishes to all,
Ted.
[**1] No, I'm not setting up as a Traffic Warden/Parking Attendant/
Tesco Stocktaker.
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E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding(a)nessie.mcc.ac.uk>
Fax-to-email: +44 (0)870 094 0861
Date: 25-May-05 Time: 10:51:21
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