can anyone help me with my computer/ computer buying dilema?

I'm thinking of buying a crappy computer, monitor, and printer so that I can have an off-network system for creating secure documents

I'm in the process of trying to file a provisional patent application on a pro se basis, and while I understand that very likely no one gives a shit about my ideas, I don't like the idea of putting anything that I value on my current, less-than-secure machine.

Spybot S&D gave me a message that it was blocking the "perfect" key logger process, and I know from various pop ups on my machine I likely have an array of malware on board. I just haven't given enough of a shit to do anything about it until now.

another option is to get a better computer and use my current computer for off-network

I don't need that much fire power though, and I don't want to spend too much money. mostly I just want to be malware free, be able to surf the web and watch youtube videos. maybe get something that has linux installed (or install linux on it) for greater security

so I'm thinking that I can get something used off of craig'slist that has a 2.33 GHz chip or faster, maybe 1 G of RAM, and I don't need a very big hard drive

it's essential that I get a printer for the off network system. I got a free hp printer that I tried to install, but the EULA requires you to agree to accept their update/data collection policy, plus you're required to agree any third party agreements, of whose existence they may not notify you of, but whatever is in that agreement, you have to agree to it.

I suppose it wouldn't really matter in an off network system, but still, the idea of being asked to sign off on these blind agreements just really pisses me off.

I don't want to have to waste a lot of time getting the off network system together. which is why I would prefer to buy a complete computer/monitor/printer system with the office software that I need so the whole thing is very much plug-and-play.

I suppose that I could just buy components separately, but it would tend to increase wasted time and money

so maybe I could get a printer that I know I won't have to mess around with too much to install, use my current machine for off network, and then get a replacement machine for online use.

I really want to get the off network system up and running asap, that's clearly the priority.

 

If its going to be "off-network" that means not plugged into the Internet right...
What do you need help with exactly?

 

yep. the idea here is that something that is just self contained is the ultimate in security (I guess?)

so I guess some advice on what you think my suit my needs

a reliable, easy to install printer that I might buy off of craigslist, maybe?

or maybe just what you would do if you were in my shoes

 

If you do a clean install with a modern OS - Windows 7 or 8, or any recent Mac or Linux distribution - and refrain from installing questionable 0-day warez/visiting shitty websites, you should have no problem with malware.

Though how you'd plan to surf the web and watch Youtube videos on a rig w/out network access is beyond me. For productivity, on the other hand, an offline PC can be good - but then still you'll want to send something you've worked on somewhere, and then it's a nuisance.

So yeah, my advice would be to just get any old PC capable of running a recent Windows or OSX or Linux distribution, and refrain from installing warez / visiting dubious PrOn sites, etc. Then, if you must, do all the naughty stuff on another rig.

 

??? hipforums ?????

no, no, the idea is that I have one off-network system that is just for creating, storing and printing documents

the on-network system would be for surfing and watching videos

I swear, sometimes I think I'm the only guy on earth who has never downloaded an mp3 or watched on-line porn

 

I would say go to a place like Frys , get a case , power supply , mother board/processor http://www.frys.com/category/Outpost/PC+Components/Motherboards/ memory , drives , ect. then down load Ubuntu Linux and use that . http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ubuntu or http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=dreamstudio

 

Well here's a tip, if you want a printer set up. Windows would be your best bet as Linux usually has some driver issues with printers and other hardware.

 

Assembling your own system is more for some one with some electronics/computer knowledge . You will probly need to buy some thing new or used . On a printer , if you just want some thing for home use , get a new one . Places like wall mart have them . They get you when you need to buy more ink cart.s

I swear, sometimes I think I'm the only guy on earth who has never downloaded an mp3 or watched on-line porn

Of the 6 billon + people on earth I think there are a few people that have not down loaded an mp3 or a porn video, but its not that hard . On LInux , most distros will run as a live cd , you install it only if it works with the hard ware .

 

Go download ubuntu linux, and install a dual boot, using the encryption option, so that it's entirely impossible that anything in windows could see it. It will have a firewall and be pretty secure by default, or you can physically unplug it when you boot into it.

Done and done, it will be MORE secure than a windows partition that never intentionally touches the internet, even if it's always on the internet.

 

thanks everyone for the input

assembling my own system would be cool.

I really don't have the skills to do that at the moment. I'm really not that handy with computers/electronics

I guess if I read up about it I might be able to do something, but really getting something going with minimum hassle is more important

 

Assembling a computer is not as hard as one might think , most ever thing is "plug and play " , but you do need to know a few basic things . You should be able to find some thing new on sale . Then you could down load Umbutu Linux , burn it to a disk and install it as a dule boot , windows /Linux system .

 

If you do want to assemble your own system , there are lots of people selling the parts . http://www.newegg.com/ http://www.outletpc.com/motherboards.html http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=13&name=Motherboards http://www.motherboardsdirect.com/ http://www.motherboards.org/ I find used monitors , key boards , mice , at good will http://www.goodwill.org/

 

There are a couple options for ya. I'd recommend dual booting also, that way you don't have to buy anything.

First I would reinstall your OS, you can make it about 3/4 the size, or now you can just do it in disk management. Then on your second partition, install a flavor of linux you like, I'm liking Mint, encrypt the partition and never log it online.

 

+1 for dual boot. And to keep your important data secure work on it only when offline, then archive onto external media and unplug. Erase with a shredder. Reboot.

Sidenote: who cares about EULA's? Just be done with it.

 

I have run Mint , and I like it . At the minute I have Dream studio running . http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=dreamstudio You down load the i.s.o. file , burn it to a dvd , its a large file , it comes with a lot of programs . Once set up you can add more , if you want . Not hard , but you do need to know what you are doing . You can also buy a dvd , or usb preloaded .
p.s. Only get the stable version , only experenced Linux users run a beta ver.

 

Yeah, for someone who doesn't want to get their feet wet, mint or ubuntu should do it.


...Or you could be a man, and get gentoo

Just kidding, fuck gentoo. But debian is cool, and what ubuntu is based on.

By the way, if you DO get seperate machines, get a KVM switch, not a whole second monitor. It will let you use a hotkey on your keyboard to switch computers, using the same keyboard, monitor, and mouse.

 

I have never used Gentoo , so I dont know any thing about it . http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=gentoo The nice thing about most of the Linux distros is that they will run as a live cd/dvd . They boot from the cd /dvd drive , you can see if it will work with your hard ware and if you like it . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_cd http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_live_CDs

 

Gentoo is pretty good if you have some obscure wireless drivers and connecting to the Internet. I've tried just about every version of Linux and I can honestly say MINT is my favorite!

 

Dual boot with another OS on your system, but first reformat the one you have! Also invest in an external hard drive to back up your files.