Author Topic: idea for donation coder CD (Read 13239 times)

mukestar · « **on:** September 19, 2006, 11:48 AM »

Ive noticed a couple of .iso`s going around the world of torrent that are usefull to carry around as there full of usefull tools when encountering virgin pc`s.

Just a thought that maybe we should compile a Donation Coder essential tools CD, to be distributed in the same way. Two good reasons would be there just damn handy to have and it`ll raise the profile of the site.

The compilation im thinking of would include the following.

1.Its a bootable cd (i.e freedos or any similar free OS to offer some recovery and set up tools)
2.All the software included is allowed to be re-distributed (of course)
3.System and Network tools (subnet calculators, file monitors and extended process exporers etc)
4.General productivity tools (open office, firefox, 7zip etc)
5.Anything else we can stick on that people cant live without (as long as it complies with part 2)

Good or Bad idea?

Renegade · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2006, 12:22 PM »

Good idea - especially if some of us developers can volunteer our software to be on it~!

housetier · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2006, 03:43 PM »

I think this is a good idea.

There is a similar project in Germany, which promotes open source software for Microsoft Windows. It used to be one CD but now they have switched to DVDs, probably because there is so much software. It is regularly updates and surprisingly is distributed as full iso images, not torrents. I am sure such projects exist for the English speaking community as well.

I am mentioning this project because we might want to contact them and learn how the distribution process should be managed, and whom to talk to for mirroring and such.

I am in favor of using torrents though. This would require interesting parties to have a bittorrent client, to be sure, but mirroring wouldn't be a problem.

mukestar · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2006, 07:16 PM »

Well my thinking was actually full .ISO via torrent, and not so much a showcase of open source, more essential tools to keep handy and in a central source, plus tools and apps that improve common tasks and help in troubleshooting. Kind off like the Hirem distro`s but with actual windows applications as well.

Basically a swiss army knife for tools and apps.

housetier · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2006, 07:23 PM »

I was only referring to a more specialized project. I never meant to make yet another open source thing. But the problems of distribution are the same, no matter what kind of software it is.

Renegade · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2006, 08:56 PM »

IMHO - ISO via BitTorrent would be ideal.

mouser · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2006, 08:58 PM »

This is a fun idea, especially if we can think of some more ideas of stuff to put on it.
It might also be something that we could send via post to donators who don't want to deal with torrent stuff, as a bonus gift.

f0dder · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2006, 12:35 AM »

Cute enough idea, but IMHO there's no reason to create "yet another bootable rescue CD"...

mouser · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2006, 01:41 AM »

this idea isnt for a bootable rescue cd as i understand it,
it would be a cd with
ALL DonationCoder.com software, including skrommels utils, coding snacks, etc
Plus maybe some trial versions of software that has won our awards or minireviews or discounts?
Plus some bonus stuff maybe

app103 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2006, 01:59 AM »

The compilation im thinking of would include the following.

1.Its a bootable cd (i.e freedos or any similar free OS to offer some recovery and set up tools)
-mukestar (September 19, 2006, 11:48 AM)

Except for that part, I think it's a great idea.

this idea isnt for a bootable rescue cd as i understand it,
it would be a cd with
ALL DonationCoder.com software, including skrommels utils, coding snacks, etc
Plus maybe some trial versions of software that has won our awards or minireviews or discounts?
Plus some bonus stuff maybe
-mouser (September 20, 2006, 01:41 AM)

THAT is more like it.

This is a fun idea, especially if we can think of some more ideas of stuff to put on it.
It might also be something that we could send via post to donators who don't want to deal with torrent stuff, as a bonus gift.
-mouser (September 19, 2006, 08:58 PM)

Might make donating worth it especially if there was some other things on it that you can't get any other way...some 'special stuff'

Like maybe an MP3 of Cody's theme, for starters.

I would be willing to work on a nice screensaver for it....had an idea too.
I just need a tubable version of Cody's toy people.

Josh · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2006, 03:33 AM »

I agree with mouser and app's takes on this. In fact, I think I recommended this to mouser a few weeks ago.

Making another bootable CD with rescue tools is not needed, however one with all of the donationcoder.com software would be a great idea as we could make a nice autorun interface that allows users to install all of the apps from DC.COM (at the time) that they use in one foul swoop.

f0dder · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2006, 03:35 AM »

Making another bootable CD with rescue tools is not needed, however one with all of the donationcoder.com software would be a great idea as we could make a nice autorun interface that allows users to install all of the apps from DC.COM (at the time) that they use in one foul swoop.
-Josh (September 20, 2006, 03:33 AM)

Agreed, agreed

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2006, 08:14 AM »

I think the idea of an ISO download (torrent or otherwise) is good especially if it focuses on DC sourced software.

However, burning CDs to send seems a bit pointless given the rate at which apps are updated - by the time they arrive in the post it will be out of date!

tsaint · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2006, 08:20 AM »

Making another bootable CD with rescue tools is not needed, however one with all of the donationcoder.com software would be a great idea as we could make a nice autorun interface that allows users to install all of the apps from DC.COM (at the time) that they use in one foul swoop.
-Josh (September 20, 2006, 03:33 AM)

If Cody is going to get involved, it'd be in "one fowl swoop" wouldn't it?

mouser · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2006, 08:26 AM »

Renegade · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2006, 12:01 PM »

I think the idea of an ISO download (torrent or otherwise) is good especially if it focuses on DC sourced software.

However, burning CDs to send seems a bit pointless given the rate at which apps are updated - by the time they arrive in the post it will be out of date!
-Carol Haynes (September 20, 2006, 08:14 AM)

Agreed. Torrent is the best way to go. I'd run a torrent server IF I could do it reliably. Right now I don't know of a Windows torrent server that runs as a service. I have some bandwidth to chew up, and can use that. (As long as it didn't get crazy on me.)

Cheers,

Ryan

housetier · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2006, 12:25 PM »

Maybe we can just use the existing trackers and save us the hassle of setting one up ourselves.

app103 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2006, 03:37 PM »

If I remember correctly, cafepress has a CD service where you upload the content you want on the disk, design your cover and insert, (maybe label too?) and they handle the rest, shipping & all. Might be something to consider if it's cost effective.

This idea reminds me of a lot of the computer magazines that include a CD every month of all kinds of freeware & trials of various programs.

Now I am not saying that we should do a new CD each month, because that would be crazy, but maybe for the beginning of 2007 we could release a DC Best of the Year disk with stuff from the previous year in the way of software trials and DC programs. (Limited edition collectors disk)

That would be plenty of time to get permission for distribution of the trial versions and put together a nice collection.

And we'd have an entire year to decide what will go on the 2008 CD.

Gerome · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2006, 04:41 PM »

Hey Mouser !

Good idea - especially if some of us developers can volunteer our software to be on it~!

-Renegade (September 19, 2006, 12:22 PM)

Feel free to add FBSL onto the CD, you have my permission!

mukestar · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2006, 11:53 AM »

Hum, well this has come so far around the houses from my original idea ive kinda lost intrest in it now.

I just wanted a disc to carry around that had all the tools necessary to make a virgin PC usefull, plus diagnostic stuff "A swiss army knife", hence the reason it being an .ISO

I have to do one anyhow cos ive a new job starting next month, so when mines complete ill get post it to show the inner workings of my head. The donation coder relevence for me was more a branding excersise, you know like when pharmaceuticals put there names on pens.

Anyhow, you show me yours and ill show you mine

mitzevo · « **Reply #20 on:** September 24, 2006, 09:15 AM »

and make sure you have a directory with best of best for each cat. of tools..

, ofcourse the outcome of this cd is just gonna be a cd with a bunch of programs.. the best way to go about this kind of thing is to maintain your own list of programs that you like.. a no brainer. every one has different tastes. edit: but none the less, a DC cd would be hot

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #21 on:** September 24, 2006, 10:11 AM »

Hum, well this has come so far around the houses from my original idea ive kinda lost intrest in it now.

I just wanted a disc to carry around that had all the tools necessary to make a virgin PC usefull, plus diagnostic stuff "A swiss army knife", hence the reason it being an .ISO

I have to do one anyhow cos ive a new job starting next month, so when mines complete ill get post it to show the inner workings of my head. The donation coder relevence for me was more a branding excersise, you know like when pharmaceuticals put there names on pens.

Anyhow, you show me yours and ill show you mine
-mukestar (September 23, 2006, 11:53 AM)

Have you tried BartPE which is a bootable ISO disc with diagnostic tools. There are also lots of plugins you can add to the CDROM to customise it to your needs.

See:

http://www.bartpe.org/

and

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/