[ale] Belay that, OT, jre7u71 winXP won't install/update

[Ken Cochran]

Well, I don't realy think XP {shrug}, but CE is a possibility.
OTOH, with the exception of a pretty simple OBD scanner for
OSX, I've never seen a computer-based car scanner, that was
not deployed on (what appears to be *stock*) XP.  Either it's
a notebook or it's a touch-screen ruggedized thing, either
hand-held or 2-hand-held.  The main one I know of is from
a well-known German maker & it costs around $21k - for an
IBM notebook running XP, an interface converter box, and the
software itself.  The ones I've seen from professional tool
companies run in the mid-teens, depending on vehicle make/model
specific modules/support.

Which brings me to an update on my original question.
Looks like my trusty old crufty IBM T41 has been stolen (like
someone thinks it'll bring anything at all at a pawn shop
or such) and <hair shirt> as I need a 'dows box (only from
time to time), I could use a suggestion/recommendation as to
just what </hair shirt>.  Prefer factory-refurb.  I remember
reading here that Sony and Toshiba are to be avoided due to
driver support flakiness.  (Always heard Toshiba was 'bout
the last remaining "good" one.)  I could care less about some
high-performance game box but I do need reliability, stability,
ease of service/parts availability, etc.  In other words,
reliability & serviceability over fancy features/multimedia.
And of course, playing nicely with the likes of Linux or *BSD.
Oh, and Doesn't Suck(tm) :)  Now, off to have a good barf...
Thanks, -kc

> Date: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 12:17:24 -0400
> From: Jim Kinney <jim.kinney at gmail.com>
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
> Subject: Re: [ale] Belay that, OT, jre7u71 winXP won't install/update
>
> The thought that there is even the possibility of winXP under
> the hood of any 2-ton iron horse/rolling gas fire is causing
> severe queasiness.
>
> On Thu, Oct 16, 2014 at 10:18 AM, Ken Cochran <kwc at shell.theworld.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Well, ya...  {sigh}  That machine is a now-11-year-old  (I
> > think) Tried & True IBM T41 notebook (remember those? :).
> > It's now pretty-much single-purpose (auto diagnostics).
> > The shop service app is Java & Windows-only (yes, really sh*tty
> > software design but there are no other options I'm aware
> > of).  I guess I should get around to some kind of Newer-ish
> > Hotness but I'm not keen to the idea of Further Feeding The
> > Beast until/unless absolutely necessary.  I guess I'm pretty
> > soon-ish going to need to get a 7 or 8.1 replacement notebook,
> > preferably a factory refurb, but I'm not seeing much of any
> > "good" nowadays.  Linux/BSD-type OS friendliness is, of course,
> > mandatory.  Dunno what makes/models to seek/avoid.
> >
> > Sort-of an aside note I guess:  The nice expensive hand-held
> > scanners I'm seeing at both independent & dealer shops still
> > run XP.  And these things are expensive.  I'm guessing they
> > likely never got around to updating/upgrading but that's the
> > fault of those systems' makers too.  Few weeks ago one belonging
> > to one of my auto-tech acquaintances got almost-bricked by
> > virus/malware it picked up, apparently while online-connected
> > for updates.  This is a ~$14k little thing and he lost *A Day*
> > of its use getting it fixed/recovered.  As well, what I've
> > seen of what's in cars nowadays (expensive ones too) gives me
> > the heebie-jeebies.  (But then again, I guess mid-late October
> > is Heebie-Jeebie season, hmm?  :P
> >
> > -kc