Re: New linux box

Ken Moffat
2004-01-26T20:56:28Z

On Mon, 26 Jan 2004, Theo. Sean Schulze wrote:

> Ken,
>
> Are you referring to one the VIA Mini-ITX boards with the C3s or EPIA-M's installed? I have one of those, and from the reading I have been doing, it seems I am going to have quite a time of it configuring it under Slackware. VIA distributes binary drivers for their C3/EPIA-M boards, but the modules are built for a limited number of distros running stock kernels. They do have drivers that are distro independent, but I understand that they require a good bit of configuration to get working.
>
> If I weren't too worried about speed and wanted a small quiet box, I think I'd go more for one of the small form factor (SFF) boards and cases, such as Shuttle or Biostar. Right now, I am resisting the temptation to get a Shuttle SN45G to build as a firewall or PVR (if I get too frustrated with the VIA EPIA-M). Doesn't have the onboard video, so you can add a dependable video card of your own.
>
> If your experience with the C3 has been different though, let me know. I want to set this VIA board up as a PVR. Other than early, not-really-serious attempts to install the VIA video drivers, I haven't started messing with the VIA-specific parts of it yet. Still trying to get Freevo or MythTV to run on a Slackware distro.
>
> Cheers,
> Sean
>
(Sean, please can you fix your line length ?)

Did I say I've used one ? I'm just going by reviews and comments on
other lists, and the experience of people I respect. I'm thinking about
getting one eventually to replace my firewall, so I haven't given any
consideration to drivers for fancy stuff - but the original question was
about a machine for doing basic stuff. If anybody is minded to try one
of these, it's probably worth looking in the mailing lists for your
favourite distro to see if anything shows up.

I haven't used SFF stuff either, but all the reviews I've read suggest
they're significantly noisier than C3s (I'm thinking of the lower-speed
fanless C3 processors here), need full-size power supplies (more noise),
and are a standard (overspecified for many things) processor in a box
with limited potential for upgrading.

Ken
--
Bring back the PIII :)