IBM Using iPod to boot Linux on PCs

Applejack writes "Looks like iPod fever has caught on to Big Blue. IBM has a yet unreleased iPod-based software for rescue, restore, and recovery of failed Windows PCs. I read this description of the software on Amit Singh's blog, whose group at IBM apparently created this stuff. If I understand this correctly (and I think I do), the iPod contains IBM's rescue software along with Linux. A crashed PC boots into Linux from the iPod, after which you get all kinds of rescue & restore functionality ... web browsing and all, even if the PC's drive is totally hosed. All this while the iPod keeps working normally as a music player as it would. The blog has pointers to further information, including a Windows Media demo of the thing. " Should be noted this is not iPod specific; USB devices will do.

No, Really?

[Oculus Habent]

Recovery tools? On an external hardrive of some sort? What will they think of next?!

Hello Help Desk

[Nom du Keyboard]

...and then I deleted all that other stuff to make more room for my iTunes purchases, and now my system won't recover.

OOOOHHHH LOOK AT ME!!!

[Thud457]

I'm using my $699 iPod as a substitue for a $0.10 Knoppix liveCD!!!

hmmm...

[thirteenVA]

Is there anything the iPod can't do? ;)

Ipod = Tricorder?

[RonUSMC]

Is it just me or is the iPod becoming more and more like a Tricorder every day. (The small do-everything-device used in Star Trek)

Re:hmmm...

[Oculus Habent]

You clearly haven't seen the new attachments from Belkin...

Re:Hello Help Desk

[pilgrim23]

With the new color iPods you can even display a Blue screen so Microsoft addicts can feel right at home....

Recipe for front page news on Slashdot

[Anonymous Coward]

1. Take any generic news item
2. Try to work the iPod into the story, no matter how forced
3. Front page!

Slashdot grammar

[Anonymous Coward]

I read this description of the software on Amit Singh's blog, who's group at IBM apparently created this stuff.

He is "group at IBM apparently created this stuff"???

That's a very long adjective!

Re:Ipod = Tricorder?

[Maqueo]

Is it just me or is the iPod becoming more and more like a Tricorder every day. (The small do-everything-device used in Star Trek)

Dude, no need to explain what a tricorder is around here ok?

You must be new here ;)

very cool

[helix_r]

....
All this while the iPod keeps working normally as a music player as it would. ...

Awesome!

Now sysadmins can listen to chill-out music while repairing mission-critical workstations!

Re:OOOOHHHH LOOK AT ME!!!

[catch23]

$699 iPod? Did you pay for the SCO license?

Re:No, Really?

[Kenja]

Next they'll start using shinny discs with microscopic pock marks that are "readable" with a high focus laser diod. Naw, thats the stuff of science fiction.

Oh the irony...

[Master_T]

Microsoft machines repaired by apple hardware using linux.

Thank you steve jobs for your magical machine of reconciliation. Do you think we could use IPODs to achieve peace in the mideast?

No, I'm New Here

[New Here]

No, I'm New Here

Thanks for the idea

[phorm]

Purchase Request

Item Name: Apple iPod

Description: To be used as an external bootable storage device for diagnosing and recovering PC's with failed hard-disks.


Hmmm, wonder if the boss would go for it...

More "innovation"..

[The Wookie]

Not to be outdone, Microsoft is reportedly working on a way to crash and iPod when Windows crashes.

Re:No, Really?

[Anonymous Coward]

Are the diods shinny too?

Re:No, Really?

[smittyoneeach]

Some sort of keyboard/display arrangement, and emacs on the ipod.
But what sort of music would be suitable for the RMS ad campaign? The Residents [musicstack.com]?
They have eyes, you know. ;)

Come on editors...

[Anti Frozt]

"IBM has a yet unreleased iPod-based software for rescue, restore, and recovery of failed Windows PCs."

So IBM has not unreleased this software. I know that delays are inevitable in development, but actually moving backwards through time. This puts Duke Nukem Forever to shame.

Re:Ultimate Boot CD

[LiquidCoooled]

But does it come with white earphones and a gallon of instant cool?

Re:Oh the irony...

[kafka93]

Actually, that wouldn't be ironic.

Re:No, Really?

[telstar]

"Why not use a regular USB drive? It's still much less expensive than an iPod."

• 'cause it wouldn't get written up on Slashdot. Duh!

This just in.

[SomeOtherGuy]

It was a windy day and I had a stack of papers that I wanted to sit down on the bench next to me....There were no rocks in site.

I made an awesome discovery. It just hit me. I could use my iPod layed at just the right angle on top of those papers to keep them from blowing away.

I had done it -- I had invented the first paper weight that could also play music. How did we all survive before iPods. This damn swiss army knife in my back pocket seems so useless now.