“Please don’t stop reading if you are not interested in
Linux — this column is written just for you. The best way to bring
the magic of computers back is to learn to use Linux. I’ll show you
a fool-proof way to learn Linux on the cheap.“
“I actually intended to use this column to review the Lineo
Linux System Developer’s Kit ever since picking up a free CD at the
Boston Embedded Systems Conference last year. The Developer’s Kit
appeared to provide an impressive graphical interface for tuning
all aspects of the kernel. However, I just discovered that the SDK
is not on included on the CD, and the single-seat license costs
$5,000. This concludes my review of the Lineo Embedix SDK.”
“However, the Lineo Embedix distribution is great! Linux will
run on almost any antique computer. Embedix installs on as little
hardware as a 486SX PC clone with 8MB of RAM. Should you be so
inclined, other Linux distros that run on a 386SX with 2MB RAM and
2MB of Flash memory are available. Many people install Linux on
their primary computer and dual-boot into both Windows and Linux,
but I prefer to devote an old computer to Linux instead. The reason
is that you can safely make any mistake imaginable, which is an
essential part of the learning process.”