[Evildave]

I just use 'wget'. If I need to download a bunch of stuff, I just paste the links into a file and use a script to eat it.

Something like...
cat filelist | xargs -L 1 wget -c {} ;

[alizard]

just use wget in recursive mode.

[AdrielK]

Just caught up with your reply. My FreeSpire Sears/Mirus is indeed designed to perform effectively with Linux; Since I run a Ubuntu 7.04 on an old (used to be WinME) PC with 256mb RAM and 633mhz Celeron side by side, I can subjectively attest to the effectiveness of their $200 design.

Speaking of your old PC running Ubuntu 7.10, when I received an upgrade notice to 7.10, I was turned down because they required I have 384mb minimum. Pls advise how you got around that requirement with your 256mb. Thanks.

As an aside to other replies, advice such as wget Cat filelist -L ........ recursive mode, etc Just scares away the targets of "cheap Linux computers" by raising the guru implications for use of Ubuntu or FreeSpire. In my opinion, after a month and half of experience with these boxes, they are just that: box alternatives of WinXP for average Users who surf, eMail and wordprocess and play non action oriented, graphics based games.

In two weeks my 8 week rebate check is expected to arrive. I will report accordingly, as an electorate of 1, on the credibility of Mirus and then cease any further contributions.

In my opinion, this site has outlived its usefulness since I don't see any continued interest by new readers re the article's original topic. I would have thought someone other than I, would have reported on a recent purchase or commented on why not.

,

[Evildave]

You must be talking about Puppy Linux. :)

[bat21win]

Adrielk: I installed Xubuntu 7.10, and from there went to the package manager and installed Ubuntu-Desktop and kdebase. For some reason I had problems with gnomebase. I discovered right away that kde wouldn't run at a decent speed. Ubuntu was faster, but still not as fast as the Xubuntu desktop. Oh, and I found out yesterday, the processor in that computer is actually like a 255mhz.

For the price, I'd pick up one of the computers, but I'd much rather build my own.

[ClaudeD]

$200 Linux PC, the computers parts cost $150, the labor to assemble cost $25. That leaves $25 for markup, shipping, handling and an operating system. On the planet earth XP Home and Vista Basic is $90 /-. XP Pro $100 . It.s a great deal for an assembled, working pc. Linux, works pretty good and it beats not having a pc or buying one with a pirated operating system(like most sub-$300 pc'S have)or (like the one your pc friend gave you and kept the OS for their own pc as well as 10 others). Linux works well and for free, you can't beat it legally.

[ernesto4160]

What I have realized about Linux, is that you have to stick to bigger, distros, like Opensuse, Fedora or Mandriva. After I was totally disatisfied with my brand new Vista Laptop, I opted Linux. The 64bit version of Opensuse did not install my wireless card, but after I downloaded the 32 bit version, my world changed. At least I dont have to wait until all startup apps are loaded before I can run other programs like Windows users.

[ernesto4160]

You are 99.9 percent correct. Ever since I started to use Linux, I've found replacements for my windows apps. You might have a couple of problems if you download sources, but the binaries do it. The only thing I need virtual machine for is to get my Zune to sync, but vmware, offers dx9 3d aceleration and usb 2.0 so, I can run windows apps. flawlessly.

[AdrielK]

Just wanted to wrap up my initial comments re my $200 Bargain Linux Desktop purchase, early March 2008 . Received my $100 rebate from Mirus-Sears on 31 May 2008, just under their upper time limit of rebate promise. Mirus is a division of an established parent company, Equus Computer, Minn. They did well by me. Their tech support is excellent, though I really had almost no questions, and as mentioned earlier, they'd do well to invest in an introductory manual.

With roughly 3 months under my belt, their (my) Freespire works as advertised, no hardware problems to date and serves the exact purpose for which it was bought, namely: eMails, surf, google-research, word processing and games, of the cerebral variety such as chess, cards, etc. Additionally, my grandkids, ages 7,8 amd 10 scoot on to their Internet game sites via FoxFire and never even comment that they've been shunted off to a non-Windows computer. The plus: much less concern about viruses, malware, etc.

As for me, I'm going to start exploring digital photography under FreeSpire and/or Ubuntu.

This summarizes whatever contribution I thought I could make on this particular subject. Mirus-FreeSpire fulfills its targeted purpose, well. It continues to expand my mental horizons by exploring Linux technology as an alternative to cross-word puzzles.

Good luck, all!

AdrielK

[AdrielK]

In a few short weeks, my 1 year cohabitation with Mirus" FreeSpire computer requires closure with this forum. Good news and bad news.

Good news first. I learned a lot by getting my feet wet. I set up my old WinME PC with Ubuntu 7.04 and am now updated to 8.04 LTS. It appears that my fears re "only 256K ram" were anticipated by Linux; the partitioned a swap file to enable me to update, despite my limited memory resource. Love it!.

My Mirus Freespire has functioned w/o a hiccup. I even bought an inexpensive Brother Laser Printer HL-2040 which was recognized and successfully installed.

So from where I sit I have an XP and a Ubuntu talking to a Brother HL-1440 Laser Printer; and Mirus with its own dedicated Laser Printer. I scrapped my 17" CRT monitor and replaced it with a newly purchased TruTech 19" LCD TV/PC monitor. With a KVM switch that I had previously installed, I sit between 2 PCs and one Monitor connected to cable and click between Ubuntu on my left, FreeSpire on my right and 720pHDTV.

Loaded lots of free and a couple of paid apps via CNR and am quite pleased with my under $200 investment in Mirus, that started me on this trek.

Now the bad news. Recently noticed that CNR's support page was always unavailable, busy, etc. Well to make a long story short, I presume they've gone bellyup.

It would have been professional of them to notify us Users (I paid $30 to get discounted commercial downloads). I will try to sort out Linspire/FreeSpire/CNR and try to see what happens. Disappointed, too that CNR still tries to signup users for paid commercial support despite lack of access to a Support site, eMail response, etc.

Mirus has been aboveboard thru all this, maintaining an 800 tel support line and staff to answer questions. They could have risen to the heights, if they had taken the lead and eMailed their FreeSpire customers and explained the situation. No matter, with my newly gained confidence I expect to upgrade their PC with another gig of ram, add a DVD writer and another sATA HDD, and explore Fedora, Suse, etc. This beats crossword puzzles 100fold.

Goodbye, all. If any one reading this bought a Mirus based on any of my comments and is downplussed, accordingly, I hope you too have made lemonade when given a lemon. As for me I'm off to shifting to GIMPshop for my Linux photography support and other available free software.

[WinTard]

uburu said:

> kcihtred2 wrote:
> "for the average joe-schmo, linux isn't the answer. Its too complicated. and honestly i can build a better pc for that price from newegg, with myself blindfolded"
> No you can't. The cheapest mobo, cpu, ram, case w/psu, hd, cd drive will cost you $200 or more and you will have a very cheap computer, not a one better. And what OS are you going to put on it? Windows will set you back another $100 so you no longer have a $200 computer and it will run like a dog. Linux IS the answer for anyone wanting a cheap computer or a high end computer or anything in between. If joe-schmo isn't bright enought to install it himself (which is easier than windows to install) then he can go out and buy one - because finally he can. M$ can't compete at the low end of the market so Linux is going to very rapidly fill this void. Once all the joe-schmos of the world become comfortable with a alternative way of doing things, windows will cease to be the answer for average people. Come back in 5 years and lets talk.

Janvl said:

@ kcihtred2
Uburu is right, you cannot make a Windows box that cheap.

I had a look at your profile. It is your youth that brings this strong opinion. Being over 50 years old and having a tiny bit more experience in IT you may take from me that the fundament Linux is build on is very much better than the one windows is build on.

Buy yourself a book called "Essential system administration" by O'Reilly. It gives a description of the most important aspects of a unix/linux system. After reading this you might get a better idea what linux is about.

If you really want to learn OS fundamentals, forget Windows and take Linux. I chose Linux because I wanted something more like VMS (DEC, now HP) with read/write/exec protection on files and I wanted a server for different tasks.

Good luck with learning.

> Except from the article: $200 Linux Desktop Systems Are No Bargain
The Mirus SITLC420 we evaluated comes with a 1.6-GHz Intel Celeron 420 processor, 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, a CD-RW drive, and the FreeSpire Linux operating system, which is based on a version of Ubuntu Linux. It costs $300 at Sears.com (online only); a $100 rebate is available through Mirus, though Mirus says to allow three to four months for the check.

The $199 Everex gPC TC2502 is sold by retailers such as Wal-Mart; it's available online and at brick-and-mortar stores. The Everex isn't as well equipped as the Mirus; it has a 1.5-GHz Via C7-D processor, 512MB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive. It runs a version of Linux called the gOS, which is based on Ubuntu, as well.I entirely agree with you kcihtred2! I'll go one step further: I can build a better computer than any manufacturer can, from parts, and beat them at any retail price/performance ratio. It is a labor of love and passion, so my time doesn't figure into the costs however. With humility, I'm not saying I can sell a better computer than any manufacturer. I simply state I can build a better computer for myself... At any price point. Especially in the high-end high-profit-margin segment (read Apple.) Period. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Rational Proof? If I find a better value in an assembled unit, I'll simply cannibalize it and soup it up! I am not afraid to break eggs to make an omelette. :^0
Get real guys!
Building a computer from parts, you can always outdo some pre-built el-cheapo unit or high-end premium markup on across the entire spectrum of the market. Period!
The $200 Linux Desktop System Are No Bargain very well conveys the essence of it all!
Please consider the following and compare apples to apples (so to speak with pun intended) :
EITHER (for astute enthusiasts)

And it doesn't matter what OS you load in it (Windows / OS X { yes OS X! supposed to be open-source right? } / Linux / FreeBSD / BeOS / or whatever). Since we're talking Linux, basically it's free for all practical purposes. So please compare a $300 unit, less mail-in rebate effectively $200. And for a $200 system with these kinds of specifications, it is laughable! As far as turnkey system, what could be simpler than a livecd/dvd of Knoppix or Ubuntu? You want to save your own stuff? How about a 16GB USB key for $20? Or 1TB (1000GB) external USB HDD for $120? As for how you get the OS in the first place, that is a Linux and FOSS generic, inherent and chronic problem but surely anyone with an average IQ can figure that one out, like going to any public library or school, and borrowing free time on their Windows computers or asking a friend with computer and Internet for assistance...
OR (for less technically oriented neophytes)
Get a turnkey pre-assembled pre-loaded with Windows Vista brand-new system, to download your latest favorite distro of Linux or whatever, boot the livecd and keep Windows Vista for free!

Regardless, entry levels systems as described in this article are truly not a good value by any means. Intel Celeron or low power consumption Via C7-D processors do not compare in performance with the Intel M type class processors for the Lenovo laptop, or Quad-Core AMD Phenom 64-bit processor for the do-it-yourselfer with 8GB RAM no less. And TigerDirect sells a barebones 4-core 4GB system for $199.
JMHO. Please enjoy and learn... ;)
PS: On the power system, I wouldn't pass up the free beta of Windows 7 Ultimate x64...
~~~~~~~~~~
"We don't know how to make a $500 computer that's not a piece of junk,"
~ Jobs said last year during a conference call with Wall Street analysts...
What he really meant, is the profit margin is too thin for Apple...