Hi, I have access to a decent amount of ewaste through my time volunteering at my local free stuff Swap Shop and I've been thinking about turning some old computers and monitors into displays for my local bus routes. The city transit system already has a website that shows the position of all the buses on each route, I just need to some sort of kiosk OS that'll display it reliably and pull it back up after getting rebooted.

The idea is to make sure they're reliable and offer them on my local free groups to anyone with a window, apartment or storefront, near a bus stop. So they'd be indoors, sheltered, and connected through whatever Wi-Fi is available at each location.

We get all kinds of stuff, from chromebooks to those PC/monitor combos, old laptops, and tons of screens. So whatever your recommendation is, chances are I'll get access to something suitable eventually.

What I'm looking for is recommendations for the software, probably a kiosk OS, that can be set up to just display a website (possibly two instances of it tiled side by side of the stop serves more than one route). It'll probably need to refresh it occasionally and it'll definitely need to snap back into the same display mode after losing power. The goal is something reliable, as close to set-and-forget as I can probably get kludging this together from ewaste and FOSS.

So far folks have recommended Wayland Compositors like Cage Kiosk and ChromeOS kiosk mode. If you have any strong feelings on alternatives or other ways if doing things, please let me know! Thanks!

I’m new to the community and a relatively new programmer, as well. I’m very comfortable with C and the command line. But, do I need to start studying Forth to really contribute?

Just in case people haven't heard of it before - I found it today after reading the logs of a virtual meetup of permacomputing folks (https://tilia.lurk.org/)

What would you do with this old PC if you had €0 to invest in it?

I have an older desktop sitting around with:

• AMD FX-6100, 6 cores at 3.3 GHz
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 730
• 24 GB RAM
• ASRock 970 Extreme R2.0 motherboard
• One SSD and one HDD

It still works, but I currently have no money to upgrade it or turn it into an ambitious homelab project.

I am trying to decide what would be the most useful and least wasteful thing to do with it.

A few possibilities I have considered:

• Install a lightweight Linux distribution and use it for experiments
• Turn it into a local server, NAS, self-hosting box, or automation playground
• Use it to learn more about local AI, although I assume the GT 730 is far too limited for most modern models
• Keep it until I have money for a few upgrades
• Sell it cheaply and put the money towards a newer, more energy-efficient machine

My main concern with using it as a server is electricity consumption. Keeping an older FX-based desktop running all day might cost more, both financially and environmentally, than the practical value it provides.

What would you do in my situation?

Are there any genuinely useful €0 experiments this hardware is still suitable for? Is it worth keeping, or would selling it or reusing the parts elsewhere be the more sensible choice?

Creator of the PDA's website here: https://orionpda.org/

More up to date video of improved prototype (without the computer voice)

Thought this was quite an interesting little device, particularly it's screen has a much higher refresh-rate than e-ink, but with similar power-draw, allowing it to play video quite well (in black and white), and potentially making it an interesting platform to develop apps or games for.

I'm interested in finding out what people think when they see something GNU. What do you associate with it? Do you tend to be more or less interested in the project if.it is GNU or not? What is your perspective?

@permacomputing@slrpnk.net @permacomputing@lemmy.sdf.org
My latest article on trying to come up with a strategic, lightweight, highly portable, cross-platform, #C and #C++ #GUI framework that works well on a number of operating systems: https://lmemsm.dreamwidth.org/33030.html
#FOSS #FreeSoftware #OpenSource #OS

@permacomputing@slrpnk.net @permacomputing@lemmy.sdf.org I'm trying to connect with other people who might be interested in building all the programs they use on their operating systems from source code (sort of like a Linux From Scratch but the OS doesn't necessarily have to be Linux). I'm interested in C/C++ programs and reproducible builds. Do you know of any good ways to connect with others who have similar interests? #permacomputing #retrocomputing

I'd like your expert advice. My old smartphone is about to kick the bucket, and I can't wait to finally let go of the tiny depression rectangle for ever. How can I keep using OTP and 2FA services when on a dumb phone? I expect that with time I will manage to limit the use of services that require this kind of stuff, but can't at the moment. I don't use my smartphone for much, so I don't expect to run into much trouble, but is there anything else I might be forgetting apart from authentication issues? I'll speak to my bank to see what they offer besides 2FA and app - I'm sure they have something since it's a bank for farmers and old rural folk.

Btw I have been enjoying my collapse lately, as so much over-engineered stuff just starts failing and encourages a retreat to more simple solutions. I'll do my part by ditching the surveillance box.

How To Start a Permacomputing Collective

Overview of a simplified four-step process, using fermentation as a model for collective action.

Copied from the front page:

• Fermentation starts spontaneously. Until the 19th century invention of industrial yeast, most ferments were based on ambient yeasts already present in the environment. When it comes to organising, there is no need for years of planning or institutional support to get a community started. We just need a little bit of initiative.

• Fermentation is a multiplying process. A tiny bit of yeast, when fed properly, can take over a huge vat. A nourished community can develop and grow.

• Fermentation has momentum. Once you get it going, all you have to do is keep the conditions right. Groups and collectives caring for the right conditions, a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere and a code of conduct for example, keep their momentum.

• Fermentation can go dormant and be restarted. When energy levels temporarily dwindle, the group activity slows until a new impulse arrives.

• Fermentation is symbiotic - aim for accessibility and intersectionality - connect with other groups and welcome people with related interests and politics, yet with varying backgrounds and perspectives.

Not my project but I thought worth sharing https://github.com/valdanylchuk/breezydemo/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlDsaQgWCaI

Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/esp32/comments/1qq503c/i_made_an_instanton_tiny_pc_based_on_esp32s3_with/

Just started shipping their (eyewateringly expensive) crowdsupply version https://www.crowdsupply.com/morpheans/sharpikeebo

Sources and Gerbers available so you could get a couple fabbed at JLPCB or fab of your choice fairly easily https://github.com/ccadic/sharpikeebo/tree/main/V1222

I'd be inclined to run it with an open hardware replacement for the Zero such as https://openkits.easyeda.com/project/detail/lctspi-rk3566-2g-16g

Gemini the HTTP alternative, not the AI crap.

If you bought your computer after 2010, there's most likely no reason to throw it out. By just installing an up-to-date Linux operating system you can keep using it for years to come.

The cheapest and most environmentally-friendly computer is the one you already own.