this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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What's a thin client?
A low-power computer typically used just to remotely connect to a proper server
Think of a browser and nothing else. Computation happens somewhere else (except JS)
A small form factor PC. Think of a Mac Mini. Small, often not-high-performance, low-powered PCs that are often used in business environments.
I use one as my home server.
That's not what a thin client, that's just a mini PC. A thin client is a computer that connects to remote sessions, and since that's their main function, they're they don't need more computing power than you need to connect to a report desktop environment.
Ah, okay. I thought OP was referring to a thinkpad/thinkcentre
that is not a thin-client in the traditional sense, just a small form factor (1liter) pc. Thin clients were minimal spec machines that were made to connect to a much more powerful server somewhere on the network that did all the work. The thin client handled the display and I/O.
Mini PCs are generally a far better deal than a Pi and much more powerful for any kind general computing use.