Re: always-on computing (Easiest way to delete a file)

FROM : Andreas Monitzer
DATE : Fri Jan 11 18:05:57 2002

On Friday, January 11, 2002, at 05:37 , Ondra Cada wrote:

> Why, on earth? None of my machines is ever switched off. That's the only
> reasonable way of using computers, since otherwise
> - you have to wait unacceptably long for the service you just happens to
> need -- and I am speaking of wakeup here, not of boot! If I am reading
> a book
> and don't know what "sesquipedalian" means, I need the online Webster
> just
> now, not after twenty seconds when the disk warms up...

My 2001 iBook wakes up in about one second (including opening the
display), that's fast enough for me.

> - you can't use your computer for receiving faxes and voicemails;

I've got a separate device for that task (and there is no voicemail
support on the mac anyways).

> - you would have to stay there and look at all those time-consuming
> tasks,
> from aforementioned log cutting to keeping indexes up to date;

That's a small problem, but most people just ignore it (who needs
indices?).

> - etc, you name it.

Here's mine:

- My server (FreeBSD PC) and work computer (b&w G3/300) both sound like
jet engines. My desk is two meters away from my bed.
In the whole lifespan of that G3, I've had two occasions where I had to
keep it running while I was "sleeping" next to it. I try to avoid that
whenever I can.

And think about regular Mac-style users, who check their mail twice a
week and write a letter each sunday. Do you think they should keep it
running?

andy