Linksys NSLU2: Coolest. Cheap computer. Ever.

For half the price of my first new computer (Atari 800XL: IIRC ~ $200), I just got a Linkksys NSLU2 that runs a hundred times faster and ... it's positively adorable. I dont know exactly how a woman feels when she receives a diamond-encusted teddybear wearing the keys to a new Lexus as a Valentine's Day present... but... I think it's kinda like that.

From the factory, the NSLU2 (or "slug" as the enthusiast community affectionatelly calls it) ships with a moderately lame-o firmware... with a typical Linksys web UI and the ability to connect... not 30.... not 4 ... a stunning ONE USB 2.0 HDD to your LAN. Wow! Cool! No wonder they're not really selling but the Slug has a secret... or, more precisely, there's a secret about the Slug that Linksys would probably rather you didn't know: It runs on Linux and there are several OpenSource projects out there to make greater use of this groovy product.

This Page is a great starting point for making greater use of the Slug.. I got one and installed OpenSlug on it. I call her thelmalou...


Thelmalou with a terabyte of attached storage.

I so love thelmalou and her tiny appetite for electricity that I'm setting up a sister for her to serve as my login/bastion/whatever server. I think I'll try DebainSlug this time.

Wow... If you don't have one... get one.