Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu (long post!)
Bob Chandler
bob at ve3sre.com
Sat Jun 30 17:35:09 UTC 2007
>
> I was wondering if your screaming-streaming audio system also has an
> internet connection and if so how troublesome it was to get it working?
Of course! I'm on a router and so getting it talking to the net is just
a matter of telling Xubuntu to use DHCP. Routers are cheap and make
life very simple when doing home networking...just "plug and play".
>
> I have a similar system, an old IBM Aptiva, same specs, that I would like to
> find some use for as it runs fine. I normally have win98 on it but now that
> it is no longer supported by MS I wanted to switch it to linux, perhaps use
> it as a print/file server. I tried this once before and it ran like
> mollasses - slow!! I thought of DSL and maybe I should try it again but I
> have been using 'buntu and debian on my lap/desktops for a couple of years
> so I would like to stick with what I (think) I know.
Xubuntu should work fine on a machine of this vintage. You apparently
can get it to work down to 64 MB RAM although I would think it would run
pretty slow with that little RAM. Xubuntu.org recommends that you use
the "alternate install" CD if your machine has less than 128 MB RAM. I
used the "alternate install" even though my machine has 192 MB
RAM...just to be on the safe side.
There's also a version of Ubuntu that uses an even "lighter weight"
GUI...namely "Fluxbuntu". As the name implies it uses the even lighter
weight "Fluxbox" GUI. Although Fluxbuntu isn't an "official" part of
the Ubuntu project (Xubuntu is).
The Gnome and KDE (used by "Kubuntu") desktops both chew up a fair
degree of your computer's resources. If you use a lighter weight
desktop...which might not have quite as many "bells and whistles" you
can run Linux on an older machine with good results.
> I'm also interested in your radio transmitter thingy. I live in the boonies
> with a large backyard and I would love to be able to stream some tunes out
> to the fire pit.
There are quite alot of "micro-FM transmitters" on the market these
days. Most of them are designed to be powered from a car cigarette
lighter jack. The idea being that you can listen to the contents of
your portable audio player on your car radio. Most run in the $40-60
range.
However the unit that I have, can be powered from a pair of AAA
batteries. It puts out maybe 30 milliwatts. I paid about $40 for it a
couple of years ago and bought it in one of those stores that sells the
kind of stuff you see offered for sale on late night infomercials.
It will use any audio "source" (computer soundcard output jack, portable
CD or audio player etc.) and transmit it on FM radio.
With a pair of alkaline batteries, my unit will run for about 3-4 days
continuously. Even with a pair of cheap carbon-zinc batteries it'll
run for a whole day!
The unit I have will transmit on any FM radio channel between 87 and 97
MHz. It doesn't cover the "entire" FM radio band ...which in Canada and
the U.S. runs from 88.1 to 107.9 MHz. with 200 KHz. channel spacing
(i.e. 88.1, 88.3, 88.5 etc.)
So it's simply a matter of finding an "empty" FM radio channel and using
it. In fact transmitting on an "occupied" FM radio channel is highly
illegal (and very inconsiderate!).
These devices are legal unlicensed low power radio transmitters under
the Industry Canada RSS210 rules (similar to the FCC Part 15 rules).
Basically you can use them as long as you don't interfere with a
licensed radio service. If anyone complains, you have to turn it off.
If a licensed radio service interferes with you, you have to accept the
interference.
In a major built-up area with lots of radio stations, finding an "empty"
FM radio channel can take a little homework. You also want to make
sure that the channel you choose to use is 400 KHz. (two radio channels)
away from any other local (or semi-local) radio station. This is so
that you minimize the inteference you get from radio stations above and
below the channel you've decided to use when you listen on an FM radio
receiver.
Since I'm in Toronto, I chose 90.7 MHz. CJRT "Jazz-FM" makes use of
91.1 MHz. and Radio Canada's "Espace Musique" service uses 90.3 MHz. So
90.7 is right in between the two of them.
Even so, on certain really low quality FM receivers, I still get some
"slop" from the radio stations above and below 90.7 MHz. Not all FM
radio receivers are made the same! In fact, many AM and FM radio
receivers these days are really crappy! They sometimes will have poor
sensitivity...and even more important in crowded radio bands...poor
selectivity. Also in large urban areas like Toronto, cheap FM radios
often suffer from "front-end overload"...where images of strong local
radio stations will appear all over the dial.
Just keep in mind that with 30 milliwatts, the signal you are putting
out is not going to be as strong as the local 50,000 watt powerhouse
radio station unless your radio is just a few feet from the transmitter.
If you're out in the backyard, the signal you'll receive on your
portable FM radio will be similar to the signal you'd get from an "out
of town" FM radio station. The further your radio receiver is away
from the transmitter, the weaker the signal will be. You might have to
pop-up the "whip" antenna on the FM radio.
Also, if you can, place your micro-transmitter as high as possible for
maximum range...on the second floor of a house if possible. If you're
trying to get the signal out to a large back yard, place it in a window
facing the backyard or as close to it as possible.
The audio quality you hear on your radio is only going to be as good as
the original source material. Don't put your computer's (or other
device's) volume up full-blast because the audio will usually distort.
Some internet radio audio streams aren't that great to begin with. A 16
kbps audio stream is going to sound like a 16 kbps audio stream! The
higher the bit rate is of the audio stream, the better it's going to
sound!
One caveat on purchasing these micro-transmitters is that there are a
number of them on the market that transmit on only three or four "fixed"
FM radio channels. Avoid these! Why? For the reasons mentioned above!
The "fixed" channels might be already occupied by a radio station. Or,
they might be "too close" to existing radio stations.
For example "88.1" is often used by these "fixed channel" transmitters.
Here in Toronto, 88.1 is "occupied" by Ryerson University's CKLN-FM.,
88.3 is "too close" to CKLN, and 88.5 is occupied by semi-local "Foxy
88.5" in Newmarket.
You'll want a transmitter that covers the "entire" 88.1-107.9 MHz. band
if possible (mine covers half of it...but hey...it was cheap!) so you
can best choose what frequency to park it on.
The FM transmitter at the link below is probably the one that I've seen
that has the best reviews. It's made by a company called C Crane in
the U.S. It sells for about $70 U.S. ...a bit more expensive than most
of the transmitters on the market.
It covers the "entire" FM radio band, has the advantage of you being
able to run it from AC as well as a pair of AAA batteries and has an
external antenna which my guess is would help put out a stronger signal.
The one I have doesn't have an external antenna.
You'll have to order it online as I don't know of anyone in Canada that
sells it. I'm going to buy one when I get a chance.
http://www.ccrane.com/radios/fm-transmitters/fm-transmitter.aspx
The bottom line is that having a micro-FM transmitter has unglued me
from the computer. On the weekends I frequently play the "RFI Musique"
audio stream from France while doing chores around the house. If you
like "World Music" it's great! You never know what they're going to
play...African, Brazilian, Cuban, reggae, Bollywood, North American and
European pop etc. I also "time shift" CBC Radio by listening to shows
like "As It Happens" in another time zone.
A $40 transmitter and a junked Pentium II running Xubuntu makes it all
possible!
Cheers,
Bob
>
> Can you tell me more?
>
> Thanks,
>
> And have a wonderful Canada Day Weekend!!
>
> Wolf in Sauble Beach, ON
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
> [mailto:ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Bob Chandler
> Sent: June 29, 2007 3:41 PM
> To: ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> Subject: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
>
>
> I have found a great use for an old Pentium II 450 MHz. machine with 192 MB
> RAM, and a small 9 GB hard drive.
>
> I installed "Xubuntu"...it's Ubuntu but with the lightweight and less
> resource-hungry XFCE desktop. The applications that come with Xubuntu
> tend to be a bit more "lightweight" than Ubuntu or Kubuntu, but you have
> access to all of the same package management tools that you'd have with
> Ubuntu/Kubuntu.
>
> What I'm using the machine for is as a dedicated "streaming audio"
> computer. I have a small micro-FM radio transmitter connected to the
> soundcard output jack on the machine, I've tuned the transmitter to 90.7
> MHz. (which is an "empty" frequency in the Toronto area) and I can listen to
> whatever audio stream is coming out of the computer on any FM
> radio in the house. Actually the range of this little transmitter is
> about half a block...and so I can take a portable radio out to the back yard
> on a nice summer day like today and listen to whatever I feel like listening
> to!
>
> The machine I got in a yard sale for $5 (minus hard drive and non-working
> video card...quickly remedied with stuff from my computer "junque box").
>
> While this machine is old and slow, it's more than adequate for streaming
> audio...and Xubuntu makes it possible. Just one caveat...for machines with
> low RAM, use the "alternate install" CD.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Bob
> http://www.ve3sre.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> ubuntu-ca mailing list
> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release Date: 28/06/2007
> 5:57 PM
>
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release Date: 28/06/2007
> 5:57 PM
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:56:14 -0300
> From: "Eric Cyr" <1ballistic1 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
> To: "The Canadian Ubuntu Users Community" <ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com>
> Message-ID:
> <3950c0ee0706291456v6a5215b0yee45ef4eb05b4fb at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> OOOooooo.....
>
> More details on the transmitter please! :)
>
>
>
> On 6/29/07, Wolf <wolf.pusztay at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Hey bob way to go!!
> >
> > Nothing like keeping e-junk out of the landfill :-)
> >
> > I was wondering if your screaming-streaming audio system also has an
> > internet connection and if so how troublesome it was to get it working?
> >
> > I have a similar system, an old IBM Aptiva, same specs, that I would like
> > to
> > find some use for as it runs fine. I normally have win98 on it but now
> > that
> > it is no longer supported by MS I wanted to switch it to linux, perhaps
> > use
> > it as a print/file server. I tried this once before and it ran like
> > mollasses - slow!! I thought of DSL and maybe I should try it again but I
> > have been using 'buntu and debian on my lap/desktops for a couple of years
> > so I would like to stick with what I (think) I know.
> >
> > I'm also interested in your radio transmitter thingy. I live in the
> > boonies
> > with a large backyard and I would love to be able to stream some tunes out
> > to the fire pit.
> >
> > Can you tell me more?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > And have a wonderful Canada Day Weekend!!
> >
> > Wolf in Sauble Beach, ON
> >
> >
> > ~~~~~~~~~
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
> > [mailto:ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Bob Chandler
> > Sent: June 29, 2007 3:41 PM
> > To: ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > Subject: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
> >
> >
> > I have found a great use for an old Pentium II 450 MHz. machine with 192
> > MB
> > RAM, and a small 9 GB hard drive.
> >
> > I installed "Xubuntu"...it's Ubuntu but with the lightweight and less
> > resource-hungry XFCE desktop. The applications that come with Xubuntu
> > tend to be a bit more "lightweight" than Ubuntu or Kubuntu, but you have
> > access to all of the same package management tools that you'd have with
> > Ubuntu/Kubuntu.
> >
> > What I'm using the machine for is as a dedicated "streaming audio"
> > computer. I have a small micro-FM radio transmitter connected to the
> > soundcard output jack on the machine, I've tuned the transmitter to 90.7
> > MHz. (which is an "empty" frequency in the Toronto area) and I can listen
> > to
> > whatever audio stream is coming out of the computer on any FM
> > radio in the house. Actually the range of this little transmitter is
> > about half a block...and so I can take a portable radio out to the back
> > yard
> > on a nice summer day like today and listen to whatever I feel like
> > listening
> > to!
> >
> > The machine I got in a yard sale for $5 (minus hard drive and non-working
> > video card...quickly remedied with stuff from my computer "junque box").
> >
> > While this machine is old and slow, it's more than adequate for streaming
> > audio...and Xubuntu makes it possible. Just one caveat...for machines
> > with
> > low RAM, use the "alternate install" CD.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Bob
> > http://www.ve3sre.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-ca mailing list
> > ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release Date: 28/06/2007
> > 5:57 PM
> >
> > No virus found in this outgoing message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release Date: 28/06/2007
> > 5:57 PM
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-ca mailing list
> > ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> >
> -------------- next part --------------
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2007 23:18:47 -0400
> From: Matt Price <matt.price at utoronto.ca>
> Subject: Re: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
> To: The Canadian Ubuntu Users Community <ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com>
> Message-ID: <1183173527.6861.50.camel at localhost>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> +1 more details
>
> matt
>
> On Fri, 2007-29-06 at 18:56 -0300, Eric Cyr wrote:
> > OOOooooo.....
> >
> > More details on the transmitter please! :)
> >
> >
> >
> > On 6/29/07, Wolf <wolf.pusztay at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hey bob way to go!!
> >
> > Nothing like keeping e-junk out of the landfill :-)
> >
> > I was wondering if your screaming-streaming audio system also
> > has an
> > internet connection and if so how troublesome it was to get it
> > working?
> >
> > I have a similar system, an old IBM Aptiva, same specs, that I
> > would like to
> > find some use for as it runs fine. I normally have win98 on
> > it but now that
> > it is no longer supported by MS I wanted to switch it to
> > linux, perhaps use
> > it as a print/file server. I tried this once before and it
> > ran like
> > mollasses - slow!! I thought of DSL and maybe I should try it
> > again but I
> > have been using 'buntu and debian on my lap/desktops for a
> > couple of years
> > so I would like to stick with what I (think) I know.
> >
> > I'm also interested in your radio transmitter thingy. I live
> > in the boonies
> > with a large backyard and I would love to be able to stream
> > some tunes out
> > to the fire pit.
> >
> > Can you tell me more?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > And have a wonderful Canada Day Weekend!!
> >
> > Wolf in Sauble Beach, ON
> >
> >
> > ~~~~~~~~~
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com
> > [mailto:ubuntu-ca-bounces at lists.ubuntu.com] On Behalf Of Bob
> > Chandler
> > Sent: June 29, 2007 3:41 PM
> > To: ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > Subject: Re-purposing an old Pentium II with Xubuntu
> >
> >
> > I have found a great use for an old Pentium II 450 MHz.
> > machine with 192 MB
> > RAM, and a small 9 GB hard drive.
> >
> > I installed "Xubuntu"...it's Ubuntu but with the lightweight
> > and less
> > resource-hungry XFCE desktop. The applications that come
> > with Xubuntu
> > tend to be a bit more "lightweight" than Ubuntu or Kubuntu,
> > but you have
> > access to all of the same package management tools that you'd
> > have with
> > Ubuntu/Kubuntu.
> >
> > What I'm using the machine for is as a dedicated "streaming
> > audio"
> > computer. I have a small micro-FM radio transmitter
> > connected to the
> > soundcard output jack on the machine, I've tuned the
> > transmitter to 90.7
> > MHz. (which is an "empty" frequency in the Toronto area) and I
> > can listen to
> > whatever audio stream is coming out of the computer on any FM
> > radio in the house. Actually the range of this little
> > transmitter is
> > about half a block...and so I can take a portable radio out to
> > the back yard
> > on a nice summer day like today and listen to whatever I feel
> > like listening
> > to!
> >
> > The machine I got in a yard sale for $5 (minus hard drive and
> > non-working
> > video card...quickly remedied with stuff from my computer
> > "junque box").
> >
> > While this machine is old and slow, it's more than adequate
> > for streaming
> > audio...and Xubuntu makes it possible. Just one caveat...for
> > machines with
> > low RAM, use the "alternate install" CD.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Bob
> > http://www.ve3sre.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-ca mailing list
> > ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> > No virus found in this incoming message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release
> > Date: 28/06/2007
> > 5:57 PM
> >
> > No virus found in this outgoing message.
> > Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.9.12/878 - Release
> > Date: 28/06/2007
> > 5:57 PM
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-ca mailing list
> > ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> >
> --
> Matt Price
> History Dept
> University of Toronto
> matt.price at utoronto.ca
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 01:00:23 -0300
> From: "Cody A.W. Somerville" <cody-somerville at ubuntu.com>
> Subject: Notice of leave
> To: "Xubuntu Development Discussion" <xubuntu-devel at lists.ubuntu.com>,
> DocumentationTeam <ubuntu-doc at lists.ubuntu.com>,
> ubuntu-motu at lists.ubuntu.com, "Ubuntu Marketing"
> <ubuntu-marketing at lists.ubuntu.com>, "The Canadian Ubuntu Users
> Community" <ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com>
> Message-ID:
> <cedaa6d20706292100h272086bcm21effacd47cfc97c at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I just wanted to let you know that I'll will be away for approximately
> eight weeks starting July 1st. if you require anything of me during this
> time, please send me a comprehensive e-mail to this address and I will be
> able to address them periodically.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Cody A.W. Somerville
> -------------- next part --------------
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> ------------------------------
>
> --
> ubuntu-ca mailing list
> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>
>
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