Basic machine for Web browsing

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yottie

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To try and keep up with security etc. would it be feasible to buy a new (cheapish) machine for the sole purpose of web use, leaving the (inevitable) build up of stuff on an existing desk-top, which would have no contact with any-thing risky. All the online stuff could then be allotted to the new machine. The existing screen could be used with a simple manual cross-over switch.
Any further ideas most welcome.
 
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Raspberry Pi for the web stuff, and connect to it from your existing desktop with a remote desktop viewer such as VNC.

No cross-over switch needed and you will probably be able to copy and paste between the VNC window and other windows, if you want to take text or pictures from the web and paste them into documents. You can hide the Pi next to the router or somewhere.

http://www.circuitbasics.com/access-raspberry-pi-desktop-remote-connection/
 
Whack a VM on your desktop, then if anything untowards happens you can torch the VM.
 
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Okaaay... :)
Don't suppose you know what's inside it.. motherboard, cpu, RAM, hopefully a separate graphics card..
If unsure, there's a freeware program called Belarc Advisor... should give good info, also a very good program called Everest Home Edition available from Filehippo
Give them a whirl and report back.. :)
 
You could always install a lightweight Linux distro - I used Peppermint on an old laptop a while back. Installed Chrome, all I needed for the web.

If buying new, just get a Chromebook.
 
jonbey said:
You could always install a lightweight Linux distro - I used Peppermint on an old laptop a while back. Installed Chrome, all I needed for the web.

If buying new, just get a Chromebook.
Click to expand...

Linux - that's where I was heading with this... need to know the hardware as latest kernals not playing ball with some older CPUs depending on the on-board graphics
 
Lots of suggestions out there - first promising one fro mGoogle
https://itsfoss.com/lightweight-linux-beginners/

Peppermint still there, although #10 now.

How about a linux boot CD? That should be safe enough. Can even put it on a flash drive, so no need for another computer.
 
If you install VmwarePlayer - Can then download a VM (Virtual Machine) ready set up CentOS 7.5 (Linux) with FireFox ESR version installed, why ESR against standard FF ? Maybe this guy, elsewhere in a forum had it right :-
"Zal42 1 point·1 year ago
Well, there is a reason that a normal user might want to use the ESR -- they might not want their software changing underneath them at such a pace..."
Read about it and get it here :- http://browser.shell.tor.hu/

Here is a Google Chrome 'appliance' similar to the above :- https://blogs.vmware.com/workstation/2009/11/google-chrome-os-running-on-vmware-workstation.html

It's all good fun - when it works !

-0-
 
Offering freeby - Torchable (Eddie-ism) - stuff with a bit of edumacation bunged into the processes...

-0-
 
Last edited:
Having tried various versions of Linux, supposedly great for beginners.... my sincere advice to OP is:

They ALL say they they are easy to use.. LIES!
Most are initially incomprehensible to a Windows user.

Lubuntu is probably the simplest for someone coming from a Windows system. It will also run on very low spec.
It may not be the best version of Linux.. but it is a very simple install procedure and in use has a feel/look similar to XP... it's plenty good enough to get you started.

I found this made things a lot easier to get my head around when the terminology is new and alien to a Windows user.
MXLinux is also worth a look, although install not as user-friendly as Lubuntu.
 
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