On 2023-01-26 Hartmut W Sager wrote:
Indeed, I did conflate high-MTBF with "good for always-on". Now if we do go for the extra computer or SBC on a LAN, we have noticed that this external USB3 8TB HDD connected to her current desktop computer does spin-down quite soon after last access, and her access pattern would be a few hours of almost continuous access followed by no access for the rest of the 24-hour day.

On Fri 27 Jan 2023 at 02:24:02 -06:00, Trevor Cordes <trevor@tecnopolis.ca> wrote:
Yes, that access pattern would help prolong its life, as long as the OS isn't doing random/periodic weirdness that wakes it up every few mins or hours. That would actually be harder on it. You won't know until you make your rig and see how it behaves.

Very good point! Such OS behaviour would indeed destroy a fundamental premise here.

If we go Pi, I presume I could engage one of you MUUG folks here for payment?

If you wanted to hire someone, best to spec out what you expect the box to do ..... Maybe if someone is interested in helping with the job they can private email you. You could also put out an official request on the jobs@muug.ca list.

Excellent thoughts. I will probably take the next few months, though, before I finalize these matters.

Hartmut