NSLU2 or something else?

[jimbouk]

Hi guys,

I've been pondering a little linux box to play with as a web server for a while now. Previous thoughts have been based around an old computer, but space, power consumption and noise have kind-of ruled that option out.

I was wondering if there were any alternatives to the Linksys NSLU2 around that people would recomend for a bit of fun? Or is it the best box to hack up, flash and generally tweak to get a small linux going for £60? I was almost reckless and just bought one, but they only stock them at pcwb online and not actually in the shop.

So will it be £60 well spend or should I be looking at something else?

[peterb]

I use a hacked NSLU2 as a music streamer and I have used it as a web server - it runs apache really well. However I did try doing something a bit more ambitious on it using php and MySQL, and while it did run, it was very slow - and that was after doubling the processor speed!

However as a straightforward web server its fine. It's been a while since I bought mine - at the time Amazon were the cheapest place.

In the end I built a small barebones sytem which takes about 90 watts - more than the NSLU2 (at about 11W) but considerably more powerful!

That said, the hacked NSLU2 is a great little project!

[jimbouk]

Hmm, I'd definitely be wanting php at the least so maybe I'm going to have to go back to the old computer idea. Thanks for the info Peter.

[eddietop]

Yeah go for an old computer if you want to run PHP.

The NSLU2 makes a good 5watt torrent/usenet download device though!

[mycarsavw]

The Perfect Server - Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon (Ubuntu 7.10) | HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials

I got the above running on a VERY old PC - http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...r-old-pcs.html

[j.o.s.h.1408]

i got an nslu2 but have no idea how to run utorrent on it

[peterb]

i got an nslu2 but have no idea how to run utorrent on it

NSLU2-Linux - Unslung / HomePage browse

[MadduckUK]

seriously man, that doesnt help. i dont know if it was becasue i had a couple of bevvies before trying it. but you get to the point where what there telling you to do doesnt actually make sence anymore. its as if they try to lure you into a false sence of security by giving you "almost" step by steps, then suddenly expecting you to remember pi to 100 decimal places.

i ended up giving up. i had to get the guide to actually install unslung in plain english from a very well hidden guide for a media streamer of some sort. after that i tried a few guides for getting a torrent prggy going. what a mess. i know its open source and whatnot and we shouldnt expect too much, but it was DIRE.

[MadduckUK]

ps: this shouldnt put you off the slug. it IS actually capable of doing this stuff.. and its a great little box really.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

likewise maddock. i have read all those guids and wiki's and it proved to be too challenging for me. what they say in those guids is wayyy to advance for me. iw anted to use my slug to act as a torrent server but no joy. i couldnte ven get the print server working either

[MadduckUK]

U... UUUUUUUU

anyway.. when you asked me how to get it going and i sent the links that was pretty much around the time i had run into a brick wall. it seemed so close as well, everything was installed ( like 4 different torrent programs because it seems no-one has decided not just which is a stable, easy to use torrent program, but which bloody version of said program that is. you go in trying to install one thing and then the guide says you should probably use a different one.. what the hell?)

its not difficult to write a guide, iv done it before. and if i could get it to work myself id make one for torrents on a slug. from the original firmware right through to seeing your torrents doing there thing. i cant believe there isnt ONE PERSON out there willing to do this already. its a shambles.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

yea it realy is, they expect newcomers to know instantly how to work around with a linux OS. it took me 2 weeks just to figure out how to insall soming on my slug, yes two damm weeks. i cant believe some people favour linux over windows. to make a new directory you have to type some bloody command to do it!

[Agent]

yea it realy is, they expect newcomers to know instantly how to work around with a linux OS. it took me 2 weeks just to figure out how to insall soming on my slug, yes two damm weeks. i cant believe some people favour linux over windows. to make a new directory you have to type some bloody command to do it!

Stop comparing Linux to Windows, they are different beasts. Whats the issue with learning something new? you did exactly the same when you used Windows for the first time. Heck, if you aren't willing to learn something new, why did you buy a Linux based system in the first place?
Type a bloody command? How do you propose you make a directory through a system that has no VGA output?

[MadduckUK]

this isnt what im getting at at all come on josh get it together man. its never going to be clicky clicky... but what it can be is systematic without conflicting instructions, thats all i want

[Agent]

I know you're not bud.

I'm not trying to be pedantic towards you Josh, but just think about what you've just said. It simply doesn't make sense

[MadduckUK]

but just think about what you've just said. It simply doesn't make sense

it doesnt. i thaught we were on the same page as well.

all thats needed is they give you a clear instruction. you follow it, if the result is as expected then move onto the next step.. and by going through that process you can pick up the cause and effect. and it will help you add programs in the future.

its nothing like that right now, which is dissapointing and confusing, as the slug is very popular, and as iv said.. you would think SOMEONE who knows what there doing would share for the complete novice.

they could make it like a "choose your own advanture" book. firstly they guide you through putting unslung on (i KNOW there is a very good guide to doing this out there, i also know its not on the nslu2-linux.org website) then after that there would be guides to the most popular programs (torrent, samba, some media sharig thing, you get the idea) presuming you were using a fresh install. after the first one is on the website could be told to remember what you have done so far, like some kind of personal account maybe? and it would figure out which apps are needed to get the next thing you want on and automagically compile you the guide form instructions from the seperate tasks. and at the end you would choose the box marked [x] yes this worked for me! and it would remember that you now have that app and all the other necessairy gubbins to get it to work and would remove duplicate programs in the future when you want to install something new.

my god its beautiful. its like an oasis of vodka irn bru in the desert of "why doesnt this syntax work?!"