Careful about installing Linux on it, the Macs use a different boot loader system, if I remember right, you will need to check out the howtos.

Check this out - https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/ma...n-mac-3637265/

Thanks for that link. I need to research this well. This iMac doesn`t read anything other than ext2 filesystems. This is quite limiting.
This iMac is ok to use offline to listen to mp3s, write small notes, read PDFs.

That link says it is easy to install Linux on Mac. However, this iMac I have doesnt boot from external device.
Luckily someone close by had an install CD to upgrade the software, this was done, the former super user was removed.
However, 32 bit is no longer supported, there is no new software for it.
So can use this for writing notes, listening to mp3 and viewing images. This will be a secure offline PC.
Mac OS is based on BSD was told. If the display fails then I can get the HD out of this PC.

Will use it as such and see how it goes.

The Intel based Macs started to use a version of FreeBSD, with Apple's Aqua desktop, you might be able to use some software from the FreeBSD repos, but I can't say for sure, you'd need to check with a Mac user forum.

This iMac is horrible for the average present user, last thing one needs in their life. Even a P4 is far better than this iMac.
Feels like you were tied to a big block of stone and pushed from a tall rugged cliff with this device.
No wonder the owner was so happy when I took it, he came to me recently and said he hates Macs specially
this old one.

However, I still have respect for old devices. There is someone who is a very good chess coach and at a recent
local demonstration showed how chess can be used for personality development to over come issues and solve problems.
This old iMac has a very nice chess program on it, in this regard it is good for that, to listen to sermons, take
notes etc., Will see how long I last with it and also if I am allowed to move with it considering that I will be
monitored for clutter in future.

rvijay, I've always been worried you would reach your hand down in a dumpster or jump in and get stuck with a used syringe.

Hepatitis or HIV would be a high price to pay for old hardware.

Thanks for the concern, with time this is starting to be more true. That is why they have safe injection sites and drop off boxes
for syringes in different areas.

This iMac I got via a personal contact. So it is clean and safe in this regard.

There is always the yuck factor in Dumpster Diving. Basically the more yuck stuff you can handle, more the rewards.
However, there are lots who wish to part with old hardware these days, just need to check locally on related groups etc.,
No need to DD for old hardware. Sometimes, there is an abandoned PC by the kerb etc., these are safe to collect. Only issue is if they came from a dirty home with pests. Opening the device will give an idea.
Specially look for black or white spots etc., that pertain to bed bugs.

Personally for me, I have lots of projects that keep me happy. I still like retro but lean more towards retro software. I do some
art with crayons and will go for walks as the weather improves.

Not only that. There are old programs like Abbey Reader which won't run on newer Microsoft OS, for example. You wouldn't believe how much Windows 98 discs are ebayed for, over here in Germany. They're presently going for over 70€. The place I used to work at is throwing those into the garbage can.
I initially bumped this thread, because I typed "ordissimo" into the search engine. Despite being a dumbed down computer practically for idiots, it's based on a simplified Linux operating system. Which is reason enough to buy one, if that OS version will recognize older peripherals and older programs like early Nero and Abbey Reader. Does anybody know if it will?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3roYYfyJaDg&t=57s

I chronicled some of my trials and tribulations trying to get an Open Source operating system working on my old laptop with 64 MB of RAM:
http://www.distasis.com/cpp/slin.htm
I've also had some luck with minimal distributions like Debian netinst, AntiX and NanoLinux. Rogue Class Linux and INX are good examples of what one can do with a computer that is not running X Windows. ToriOS seems interesting since one of their stated goals is to continue to support older computers. Elks ( http://elks.sourceforge.net/ ) may be of interest to some with minimal systems too. There are also various forks of Android such as AndroidX86 that run on PCs. Using nano-x in place of X Windows also seems like a useful option for systems where X Windows just does not configure properly. You can run basic X11 and FLTK applications using nano-x. It works on a wide variety of operating systems including FreeDOS and ELKs.

I noticed there were posts about Kmandla's blog in the thread. I really enjoyed reading both of his blogs and his posts about minimalist computing. Would love to find other similar blogs, forums or resources to discuss topics like the ones he covered. If anyone knows of any good places to discuss minimalist computing and lightweight applications further, please share the information. Thanks. If you're going to run low resource or older computers, finding the right lightweight software can be an important key.

I got great support to transition, find an amazing new place and move in etc., This is in a great area away from all the issues at the older place, so overall it was all for the good. I have no net or phone at home, dont miss it. During the transition I was able to connect with good folks.

The old iMac I was given was sufficient to load PDFs related to Jesus that I had on few USB drives and also
sermons. For entertainment I just listen to Clock radio, there are very good local programs here.

I can use net sometimes at local Library. Perhaps might get a tablet in future.

Just wanted to update all. There are some old dell desktops on sale locally at used shops, they are around 100 bucks. For the moment I am far from the net and old PC, enjoying the peace. Appears this is the point that the internet ends or atleast takes a big break.

Best Wishes to all.

Thank you so much for the update, rvijay. If you are comfortable PMing me contact info, I can get a laptop out to you, most likely Thinkpad X60 or something of similar vintage. I'm sure you have other contacts at LQ who are better heeled and less risky than my illustrious self, lol.

I think that's how the internet ends for everybody. I lost my son eight months ago and find more comfort in a local radio station and nature than I do technology right now.

Math/Science isn't my "thing" so I am not feeling the grief that some programmers and lifelong IT people are having to deal with right now. My son was a biological organism and my memories of the Linux community will always be bigger than that: I don't remember everybody's username or all the details, but I will always remember how we reached across barriers of gender, class, and nationality to give twenty minutes of our time to help a stranger learn how to learn.

What was revolutionary about Linux and what will continue regardless of politics and economics is that we did not believe that it was advantageous to society as a whole to deliberately create an ignorant underclass. We did not hoard information. We helped each other.

We are all forever changed by our experience with Linux, however deep we dived or however long we used our computers. Whether we lose the internet because of aging or other personal catastrophes, we know better than to believe negative things about human nature that simply aren't true.

And somehow, some way, I don't know how, we (humanity) will survive until we can thrive once again.

Very sorry about the loss of your son.

Thanks for the laptop offer, I will reflect on it. However, given the fact that I have no net at home now, it is not as useful.
Also, many have faced floods, forrest fires etc., in Canada and have been evacuated in the past few months, considering all
such natural disasters, increasing rents, decreasing space etc., there are some real strong practical restrictions to using old computers
these days.

I decided recently to get a cheap Samsung SG-T113 tablet recently. Just have books on drawing on it mostly.

It is cheap and convenient. If anything I must look into Linux for android in future.

If life is bear hammering as it has been for me for a long time, then I suggest getting to be super flexible, prepared for challenges and
dwell into the arts as much as possible. Specially consider drawing, there are some really good ebooks for free on the net on Drawing.

Best wishes to all.

Much appreciated and I'll definitely take that to heart. I'm afraid I could never handle Android or iOS personally, but I have been spending more time playing music than playing with computers lately and am going to take your advice about drawing, since words seem to be failing me lately and the internet doesn't feel like home any more.

I'm not Canadian, but you are more important to me than whatever the postage would cost if you change your mind about the X60.

Will do for sure if I change my mind. Try to be positive about negatives from past, actually embrace, cherish them
and then grow along with them, this is what I am trying now. Still have a long way to go in this regard. Life is too short to be sad all the time, have to make the best of it.


Here is a basic kit I figured out for entertainment:
Clock Radio or pocket radio, Sudoku Puzzle Book, sketch book, pencil mechanical and eraser.
Clock radio is good to set alarms. With sketch book one can draw rivers, seas, mountains and
other amazing things that are a part of nature. If you prefer you can use crayons or color pencils also.
With time this will become a very nice collection, can be shared with others even. Do this outdoors
and a few will watch, perhaps can get you a few contacts.


This man has made it with just Ballpoint pens:
https://englishrussia.com/2019/06/25...t-at-its-best/


https://simplify3.wordpress.com/2009...-for-a-pencil/