[Nfb-krafters-korner] OT: Speaking of Computers

[slery]

Really curious, why are you using DOS?

I just built two computers in February and some of this ancient access that
you are asking for is going to be next to impossible to find. I just double
checked one of the main sources that people use for hardware that build
their own and:

no 5.25 floppy drive of any kind
the smallest hard drive is 18GB
the slowest cpu is 1.5Ghz (and trying to match up cpu socket type with a
motherboard that has a serial port, parallel port, and ps2 port is really
difficult)
128MB RAM is the smallest (again, this must match the motherboard)

What did they tell you when you requested all of these specifications?

Cindy S.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org 
> [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Eleni Vamvakari
> Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 3:54 PM
> To: List for blind crafters and artists
> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] OT: Speaking of Computers
> 
> 
> Hello to everyone,
> 
>   I never thought I'd be posting a computer-related topic on 
> here but here goes.  I'll try to put everything in one place 
> so that we don't have many off-topic posts and I promise not 
> to make this a habit.  Of course, feel free to e-mail me 
> offlist if you think doing so on here will cause a problem 
> and I'll simply let everyone know when something's been resolved.
> 
>   I'm currently having a machine made by JG Custom PCs.  
> However, they haven't started yet and are still looking for 
> parts.  These are the specifications that I sent to them.  If 
> you have a machine that meets a good number of these specs 
> and are willing to sell it, could you please let me know?  
> The 5.25 floppy, cd rom, scsi slot, ethernet jack and usb 
> port are not necessary if it's a laptop.  I'd also like 
> something under 7 lbs. if possible and with less than a 14.1 
> screen (smaller is better).  The same exceptions apply for a 
> desktop (minus the weight and screen of course) with the 
> addition of the pcmcia slot not being necessary, since most 
> desktops don't have those.  Still, having both floppies would 
> be nice.  The only catch is that the computer needs to have 
> drivers for MS-DOS because I can then use them with the 
> modern version of the operating system that I'll be installing.
> 
>   I'm also looking for hardware and software for DOS-based 
> machines, such as an ocr program (and scanner), a braille 
> translation program, a wordprocessor (Word Perfect and 
> Ed.exe, their text editor, is acting strangely with 
> VocalEyes), a synthesizer (especially a KeyNote Gold SA, 
> Dectalk Express or PC or an Apollo capable of reading Greek) 
> and whatever else comes to mind.  I have a Braille Blazer, a 
> KeyNote Gold Voicecard (worried about it's fragility), two 
> Echos and a nonworking Accent SA, so the synth isn't of 
> immediate concern though it would be great to find a new one 
> considering my choices.  Finally, if any of you program in 
> QuickBASIC or do batch programming in DOS, please let me 
> know.  I'm on the Blind Computing and Computers mailing lists 
> but couldn't find anything else with much activity, so advice 
> on other lists would also be great, even if you can't answer 
> anything else.
> 
>   Stars mean that something is essential and dbd means 
> determined by designer.  The optional section is idealistic 
> and not necessary.
> 
> ===
> Desktop Specifications
> 
> Form Factor
> small/able to fit on desk (mini tower if possible and regular 
> desktop if not)
> 
>  Weight
> whatever is reasonable for size and hardware included
> 
> hard disk capacity
> No more than 5gb and no less than 100mb if there's no 
> partition. Willing to accept a partition of a single  10gb 
> drive split into two5gb drives or two separate internal 
> drives but if you know how to makeDOS see more than 5gb I'll 
> accept a larger single drive. Nothing over 20gb is needed.
> 
> Ram
> *No more than 64mb and no les than 32mb.
> 
> CPU Speed
> No more than 500mhz and no less than 100mhz.
> 
> Input
> Enhanced 101 keyboard (already owned but a new one is fine so 
> long as it doesn't connect via usb port.)
> 
> Media
> *1 3.5 in. (1.44mb,, LS240 or HiFD 200mb) floppy
> *1 5.25 in. high dencity floppy,
> 1 cd rom
> 
> Connectivity
> *1 standard RS-232 9-pin male serial port
> *1 bidirectional female parallel port (2 if possible)
> *1 pcmcia slot
> *1 modem jack with internal 56k modem
> 1 ethernet jack
> *1 ps/2 port
> 1 line-in jack or microphone jack
> *1 headphone/speaker jack
> video ports dbd
> 1 scsi slot
> 1 usb 2.0 port
> 
> Sound
> *built-in DOS-compatible sound card
> 
> Screen-related
> resolution: dbd
> graphics etc.: dbd
> 
> OS
> Latest stable release of Enhanced DR-DOS with all necessary 
> drivers and patches preferred. If not, then a machine with 
> FreeDOS installed. Links and installation instructions will 
> be provided.
> 
> Ideal/optional
> parts from Japan,, America, Europe etc. and not china,  
> Korea, Taiwan etc. (really appreciated) ability to burn with 
> cd rom if drive is included wireless card (WaveLAN and 
> ORiNOCO might work with DOS) metal casing 1  750mb zip drive 
> other essential hardware dbd
> 
> Thanks for everything,
> Eleni
> 
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