Using an old PC as a Terminal for Linux

Review this and clean up later ...

Option 1 - use WSL (probably requires Win-10 or higher): 

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/terminal/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install

https://auth0.com/blog/convert-windows-pc-to-linux-ubuntu-dev-environment/

Option 2 -  Using old computers as thin clients to connect to a Terminal server

https://community.spiceworks.com/t/using-old-computers-as-thin-clients-to-connect-to-a-terminal-server/657926

Option 3 -  Ubuntu desktop as terminal server

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1143542/ubuntu-desktop-as-terminal-server

"For "terminal" access you'll need a OpenSSH Server installed on your PC."

Option 4 - SSH from Windows

https://www.linuxbabe.com/linux-server/ssh-windows

A couple of lightweight Linux distributions (MX Linux & antiX)

MX Linux  -  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MX_Linux
"MX Linux is a Linux distribution based on Debian stable and using core antiX components, with additional software created or packaged by the MX community.[2] The development of MX Linux is a collaborative effort between the antiX and former MEPIS communities."
"Xfce is a fast and medium-low resource usage desktop environment of Xfce version 4.20 offered in 32-bit and 64-bit ISOs.[30]
Fluxbox is a window manager with very low resource usage. This edition was first released on 21 October 2021.[31] 32-bit and 64-bit versions are available."
...
MX Xfce and MX Fluxbox are available in 32-bit variants of those releases."

Download Links: https://mxlinux.org/download-links/
–Xfce (our flagship desktop) - MX-23.6_386, containing a 32 bit PAE 6.1 kernel from Debian Stable, suitable for systems that are 32 bit only.

–Fluxbox -  MX-23.6_386 Fluxbox, featuring the 32 bit 6.1 Debian stable kernel and a customized fluxbox environment -
"The result is a lightweight and fully functional system that has many unique features:"
"This OS functions as well on older low-capacity machines as on fast modern ones."

MX-23 Users Manual:  https://mxlinux.org/manuals/


MX Linux:  https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/linux-unix/mx-linux/
"MX Linux is a good selection if you are in search of a Linux distribution that is simple, stable, and lightweight. With its roots in Debian Stable, it is fast and efficient as well. As such, it is geared towards people who prefer a customizable, low-maintenance operating system. And no matter if you have contemporary or older hardware, MX Linux is tailored to perform optimally without compromising on user interface design simplicity and ease of use.

MX Linux stands apart from other distributions through its MX Tools, which is a robust set of utilities that make the processes of system configuration, management, and troubleshooting easy. This distribution has support for several desktop environments: Xfce (default), KDE Plasma, and Fluxbox, so the users can change it based on their needs and preferences."

MX/antiX Technical Documentation Wiki: https://mxlinux.org/wiki/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

antiX:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AntiX
"a Linux distribution, originally based on MEPIS, which itself is based on the Debian stable distribution.[4] antiX initially replaced the MEPIS KDE desktop environment with the Fluxbox and IceWM window managers, making it suitable for older, less powerful x86-based systems."
"antiX comes with a default desktop built on top of the ROX or Zzzfm file managers, with the GTK library and using IceWM as the window manager.[10] antiX-full and antiX-base include these stacking window managers:

    Lightweight: Rox-IceWM (default), IceWM and ZzzFM-IceWM
    Minimalist: Rox-Fluxbox, Fluxbox and ZzzFM-Fluxbox
    Very minimalist: Rox-JWM, JWM[11] and ZzzFM-JWM

Running the ROX or Zzzfm variants provides desktop icons and a drag-and-drop function. Conky provides system monitor availability."
antiX23.2:  https://antixlinux.com/
"antiX is a fast, lightweight and easy to install systemd-free and elogind-free linux live CD distribution based on Debian Stable for Intel-AMD x86 compatible systems. antiX offers users the "antiX Magic" in an environment suitable for old and new computers. So don't throw away that old computer yet!"
Downloads:  https://antixlinux.com/download/
"If you don't know or care about init systems, choose the sysVinit version."
"The iso images can be written and booted live from a cd, frugal install via hdd, from usb, etc. To make the most of using the antiX live system, particularly from a usb, it is recommended to use the antiX/MX live usb maker or Rufus ..."
Documents:  https://antixlinux.com/documents/

Fwd: 10 features recently added that you probably didn't notice on Windows 10

Some of these like the "Manage mobile devices feature" may be worth checking out for Win-10 & 11:

https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/10-features-recently-added-that-you-probably-didnt-notice-on-windows-10

"...  in the newer version of the operating system, you can access other features, such as the ability to manage your phone storage from File Explorer, use your phone camera as a webcam, and more."

The "Windows Backup with file transfer to new PC" feature may also be useful when upgrading.

Upgrading to Windows 11 on an old PC could be easier than you think | PCWorld

There are tools mentioned that can help test old PCs for Windows-11 compatibility.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2839398/upgrading-to-windows-11-on-an-old-pc-could-be-easier-than-you-think.html

NVMe SSDs - specifications & history

NVM Express (NVMe) or Non-Volatile Memory Host Controller Interface Specification (NVMHCIS):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NVM_Express

" Architecturally, the logic for NVMe is physically stored within and executed by the NVMe controller chip that is physically co-located with the storage media, usually an SSD. Version changes for NVMe, e.g., 1.3 to 1.4, are incorporated within the storage media, and do not affect PCIe-compatible components such as motherboards and CPUs.^[3]"

M.2 (pronounced "M-dot-2"),^[1] formerly known as the Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.2

"M.2 supports a variety of module sizes and interface types, offering greater flexibility for modern devices. It is widely used in compact systems such as ultrabooks and tablet computers, particularly for solid-state drives (SSDs)"

"M.2 modules can integrate multiple functions, including the following device classes: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, satellite navigation, near field communication (NFC), digital radio, WiGig, wireless WAN (WWAN), and solid-state drives (SSDs).^[7]"

What Else Is An M.2 WiFi Slot Good For? 

     https://hackaday.com/2023/01/19/what-else-is-an-m-2-wifi-slot-good-for/

"Many mainboards and laptops these days come with a range of M.2 slots, with only a subset capable of NVME SSDs, and often a stubby one keyed for 'WiFi' cards. Or that's what those are generally intended to be used for ... you can get a lot of alternate expansion cards for those slots that have nothing to do with WiFi."

"... includes adapter cards that add Ethernet (1 Gb, 2.5 Gb), USB 2.0 ports, SIM card (wireless adapter?), an SFP fiber-based networking adapter, multiple M.2 to 2+ SATA port adapters, tensor accelerator chips (NPUs) and even a full-blown M.2 to x16 PCIe slot adapter."

PuTTY: a free SSH and Telnet client

https://putty.software/

PuTTY  is an SSH client for Windows and Unix, including an xterm-style terminal emulator.

Main site:  https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

Downloads:  https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/latest.html  32 & 64-bit versions

Available from MicroSoft: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/xpfnzksklbp7rj?hl=en-US&gl=US

"PuTTY is a communications tool for running interactive command-line sessions on other computers, usually via the SSH protocol. It can also communicate over a serial port, or speak various legacy Internet protocols such as Telnet."

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PuTTY

" PuTTY (/ˈpʌti/)^[4] is a free and open-source terminal emulator, serial console and network file transfer application. It supports several network protocols, including SCP, SSH, Telnet, rlogin, and raw socket connection. It can also connect to a serial port."

"PuTTY comes bundled with command-line SCP and SFTP clients, called "pscp" and "psftp" respectively, and plink, a command-line connection tool, used for non-interactive sessions.^[9]
PuTTY does not support session tabs directly,^[10] but many wrappers are available that do.^[11] "

Guide to installing PuTTY and making SSH connections:

    https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Putty-in-Windows

About PuTTY:  https://gizmodo.com/download/putty

"PuTTY serves as a popular terminal emulator that supports SSH, Telnet and serial communication needs. Network administrators, developers, and IT professionals typically use PuTTY for secure connections with remote systems along with server management and command execution needs in a protected space. PuTTY functions as a bridging tool that enables users to access remote computers along with network devices through encrypted connections instead of restricting itself to a single system like traditional command-line interfaces."

.41 Magnum Shot Loads Made (Fairly) Easy from 30-30 Brass

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?469878-41-Magnum-Shot-Loads-Made-%28Fairly%29-Easy-from-30-30-Brass&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMMLRhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHg5X2b_hlqp2OLDDm6ne1wUPQcsGBjxA_gJpO4uRbtPDBcY9z1srGGBfwX86_aem_TuUWI02EJBT3pVVJH7dImQ