Blackpool Linux User Group

Qemu comes in from the cold.

Several years ago I saw a USB stick plugged into a windows machine, and Linux started in a window on the desktop.
This was Qemu. It was impressive, but too slow to be considered for serious use.

Fast forward to todays powerful hardware, and it is now usable.
I have seen a very broad generalisation which indicates that Qemu runs at about 20% native speed.
http://www.impactlinux.com/fwl/presentation.html (Long document, search for 20%)
That does not sound like a lot, but if you have 20% of a dual or quad core, that is likely to be more power than windows98 had in it's day.

Today we demonstrated a USB stick which could be plugged into a machine running windows or linux, and then started windows98 in Qemu on either desktop.
Windows98 performed at good speed with no 'stutters', on a dual core Dell inspiron 530.

Les had brought in his O2 Joggler again. We booted it into Ubuntu from a USB stick, then ran windows98 in Qemu on this as well.
Les took some pictures of this in action, and may post them later.

There are some reports on the web of people running windows3.1 in Qemu on an iphone!
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/03/02/that-n95-running-windows-31-pft-che...

Qemu is most certainly 'on the up'.

Hi everyone

Great session today, I enjoyed chatting to Bob about his Linux
experience. Bob, welcome to the LUG, as I said, if there is anything
that you would like to do or see at the LUG, then just ask.

Mark & Bob
The joggler is a fantastic hobby gadget, £50 until the end of May and it
can run Ubuntu from a USB stick! It does only run on mains power, but
don't let that put you off as there are loads of hacks that can be done
to this device, turning it from a lowly picture frame into a full blown
atom based PC.
What I like the most is the flexibility of the gadget, I can do what I
want with it (I'm actually thinking of using it as a fileserver for my
1TB external drive).
Anyway for more info follow the link below.

http://www.jogglerwiki.info/index.php?title=Main_Page

Also, especially for Bob, here is the Myth TV frontend for the joggler
that we discussed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgwjPRBAFrU&feature=youtu.be

Everyone
If you haven't heard, or just not booked a place yet
http://barcampblackpool.com/

Barcamp Blackpool is a FREE event at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Casino
(the White Tower, for all us oldies ;) ) on the 3rd of July.
If you want to come along, then please grab a FREE ticket!
There will be free tea and coffee, lunch, swag and an evening do if you
fancy, all for £0.00p.
The event is called an "unconference" where people turn up and do a talk
on their chosen subject (tech related mainly).
You don't have to talk, just grab a ticket, turn up and enjoy the day.

Tony, Mike and myself are looking to set up an Ubuntu booth to show off
Ubuntu to the attendees, and provide free cds!
If you are interested in helping, shout up.

Well thats all folks.

Les