[extropy-chat] Redneck Transhumanists

[BillK]

On Thu, 1 Jul 2004 22:49:42 -0700, Spike <spike66 at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> > Extropian Agroforestry Ventures Inc.
> 
> > I use outdated computer systems and brag that its an advantage because
> > some viruses are not targeted to work old systems...
> >
> > Morris
> 
> Is this true?  If so, you have stumbled upon a most
> wonderful business opportunity.  Since email uses soooo
> very little CPU, one could produce machines that are
> designed to do nothing but email, using some ancient
> primitive savage processor, such as a 386 or a
> quadra.  Perhaps there are chip fabs still around
> to make old processors?  Many of us could dedicate
> an old machine to email, then use our other machines
> for compuationally intensive apps.  I still have a
> Mac quadra running in the office, for some specialty
> applications that run only on that machine.
> 

Yes, it's true. Many new viruses and worms only work on the Windows XP
technology, leaving Win98 machines alone.

After everyone moves to gmail, you just need a web browser to read
your email. Even a 90MHz Pentium can do this in Win98.

The best use for an old 486 pc is as a physical firewall between your
main pc / home network and the internet. All the nasties get stuck in
the old 486.

BillK