I've lurked on the list for a while and would like to ask for some advice concerning hardware. Specifically, does the software exist (drivers and applications) to make this work, even if it's not optimum in performance? I have a couple of donated Intel TeamStations that I'd like to convert to Linux and run as video conferencing stations. Why would I take an already running system and mess it up? Licensing. The OS is NT 4.0 Workstation and the video conferencing suite also requires licenses to legally use. They suite licensing is no longer available, and the NT CALs didn't come alonge withe systems. I'd like to see if some parts of this station could be converted to video conferencing, sans licensing fees, and maybe upgraded where necessary, which I could do through a local computer recycling program. This is currently a proof-of-concept project rather than a production system. I know that, for instance, I'd need faster processor, more RAM, and a better video card. However, my budget is zero, so I use what I've got. I've given it an initial try with RedHat 8.0 and wasn't successful. I believe the problems lie in appropriate drivers. It could also be something silly that I'm not doing (most likely). I'd like your opinions. Here's the hardware configuration: Intel AL440LX motherboard with built-in Yamaha OPL3-SA2 sound, Intel Pentium II/333MHz processor, 128MB RAM Western Digital ACR1001 ATAPI 2.0GB HD Intel Pro100B PCI NIC ATI 3D Rage Pro AGP-2X w/4MB RAM Zydacron Z340 (AS-2340-100-02), PCI (Phillips SAA 7110A based NTSC encoder) ITK IX1 Micro 3.0 ISDN card, ISA (not used for my application as I'm interested mostly in IP right now) 1.44MB Floppy 2S/1P/1G built-in to motherboard ATAPI CD-ROM drive Sure Mic Sony EVI D-30 camera Viewsonic 17" monitor with built-in speakers PS/2 mouse and 104-key US keyboard, with option to go wireless (not taken yet) The mic hooks up to to the Zydacron board. The speakers on the monitor hook up to the Yamaha's sound ports. The monitor hooks up to the ATI card via VGA. The camera hooks up to the 2nd serial port (for control) and via S-video to a multi-head cable attached to the Zydacron card This configuration works (albeit slowly) with the original software (have set it up with another unit and they talk to each other using IP). It doesn't work with RedHat 8.0. My list of problems includes: 1. Sound doesn't work (see's the Yamaha synth, but doesn't allow the drivers to be loaded) 2. xawtv can't open /dev/video0, complaing that there is no such device, although /dev/video0 exists and all users appear to have appropriate permissions. 3. Mic doesn't work (probably related to no support for the Zydacron board). 4. Can't tell you wether the camera works at this point, because I can't get any application to load that might recognize it. It talks on the network, XWindows works (I've tried both KDE and GDM). I can provide more detailed logs, but I'm wondering if it's worth it to proceed with this project, given the constraints I have? I'm not averse to using other distros if that is what it takes. Thanks for your help and insight! Paul Butler
