Andrew Crosby wrote:
ok, the cost of leaving a 200watt machine on all day, all year is: 20c/5hour, that is $350.4/year, if adsl is avalable, get that, the cost difference between dialup and a server/firewall or an adsl modem is nearly nothing
The actual cost of running the machine is likely to be much less than that. However, I'm only pointing that out for completeness. If you put in two older machines, you've just got two things to fail. And older machines do fail. If you put in DSL with a DSL router - even the cheap routers that various ISPs give away free with connection - then it will have enough of a "firewall" (by virtue of being a NAT device, and therefore disallowing incoming connections) that anything behind it will be basically secure. If you use a cheaper DSL modem, then you'll need to run a host firewall, but even that isn't exactly hard to manage. As for the suggestion of OS, pick whatever you're happiest supporting, especially supporting remotely. And If you don't want to be beholden to this person for support, pick whatever they're going to get best support for. There is no point putting in an Ubuntu system if this persons son or daughter or grandkid is going to be the one supporting it and only understands Windows. It'll only make linux look bad.
sorry about raiing on anyones parade
To be fair, i set up a kubutu system for my aunt recently, and jsut used a dialup modem on, a dynalink 1456ve, works like a treat
Bingo. Also, I have a bunch of external 33k6 and 56k modems kicking round, although I think they're missing PSUs (which can be bought from DSE quite easily). If anyone wants one, you're welcome to them.