Jonathan Hutchins wrote:
DISCLAIMER: Jason works for a company that sells LTSP solutions to schools.
He also aparently missed the fact that this is a "Single user single desktop maybe not even networked". LTSP involves building a fairly sturdy server and saving your money on multiple served workstations, noth the case here.
I've often wondered, given the cost of the server required, at what point you actually start saving money with LTSP by reconditioning existing PC's instead of buying new, low-end (sub $300) workstations and using a peer-to-peer network.
Linking to an opensource project is hardly worth a DISCLAIMER.
Since your wondering, often, when the money savings start, lets do some brainstorming,
Performance: $300 desktop, is going to run like a $300 desktop. I'll start with 5 workstations, but even 2 would work. 5 * $300 = $1500, now you could have 5 computers that run like $300 computers. Or buy a $1500 ltsp server, and re-use your old computers, = 5 computers running near $1500 speeds.
Maint: 5 computers to keep running, updated, etc... Or 1 ltsp server, workstations will netboot, without need for hd, floppy, cdrom
Karma: UN reports it takes 1.8 tons of materials to make a modern pc.
"that extending a machine's operational life through re-use holds a much greater potential for energy saving than recycling." http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/03/07/hnunstudy_1.html
-Bill