Best Linux Desktop for VoIP Calls

vaibhavs · 07-13-2009, 10:16 AM

Hi,

I wish to create a very simple Linux Desktop which can run:

- Browser,
- VoIP Software like EyeBeam or Zoiper or something similar

And be able to support USB Sound Card and most common Intel mother board and Intel chipsets.

Which is the best Linux Desktop flavor having maximum H/w support.

Please advice.

Thx
Vai

linus72 · 07-13-2009, 10:19 AM

I'm gonna vote for tinycore, with what you want, opera or firefox
with flash10 , VOIP, etc would be like 30-50mb
on usb, cd or hd
the "dragon" screenshots are tinycore with opera, flash10, OSS, and XFE
( http://multidistro.com/tinycore-shots/tc-scrnshots.html )

vaibhavs · 07-13-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus72

I'm gonna vote for tinycore, with what you want, opera or firefox
with flash10 , VOIP, etc would be like 30-50mb
on usb, cd or hd
the "dragon" screenshots are tinycore with opera, flash10, OSS, and XFE
( http://multidistro.com/tinycore-shots/tc-scrnshots.html )

What about H/w driver availability?
My main concern is H/w compatibility like LAN, Sound, Display, USB sound etc.

Thx
Vai

vaibhavs · 07-13-2009, 10:37 AM

Tiny Core website clearly states

Quote:

It is not a complete desktop nor is all hardware completely supported. It represents only the core needed to boot into a very minimal X desktop typically with wired internet access.

Since this will be an office PC, I need fully functional Linux Deesktop.

I have been searching the net since past 2 days and I am going crazy.
So many flavors, so many reviews, I am totally lost!!

Where should I start ??

jdkaye · 07-14-2009, 01:39 AM

I think Debian is the way to go. At the time of installation you can start with a minimal setup and then add things until you have exactly what you want. Debian's hardware support is about as good as it gets.
cheers,
jdk

vaibhavs · 07-14-2009, 03:02 AM

Thx jdk.

You have giben a good starting point.
My only fear is h/w compatibility and driver availability, but as per your post, if Debian is the best in this aspect then I am at ease.

Which is the least resource-hungry, KDE / GNome or any other GUI environment.

Also, I will need to develop some simple desktop applications like form-fillers etc.
So I need to ensure ample developer community availability and API etc etc availability.
What do you and other members suggest ?

Pls advice.

Thx
Vai

jdkaye · 07-14-2009, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaibhavs

Which is the least resource-hungry, KDE / GNome or any other GUI environment.

KDE and Gnome are both pretty big. Try xfce or fluxbox. Both are available as debian packages. They are good choices and there may be many more good ones out there.

Quote:

Also, I will need to develop some simple desktop applications like form-fillers etc. So I need to ensure ample developer community availability and API etc etc availability.

I don't think that will be a problem with Debian. It has over 26,000 packages. Without more specifics about what you want I can't give you any details but it shouldn't be a problem.
cheers,
jdk

vaibhavs · 07-14-2009, 07:11 AM

Ok. So I will experiment with xfce / fluxbox.

Now the next imp question: to make graphical apps for this platform, which is the best software (best replacement to create VB6 type application).

Most of the applications we have are various kinds of Form-Fillers & Auto Navigators (The applications will launch an instance of Browser, Open a URL, click link, fill up text boxes, click on radio buttons etc etc).
PS: This might seem for spammy activity, but its a legitimate very work!

Thx JDK & others too.

Vai

jdkaye · 07-14-2009, 07:47 AM

You can use google just as well as I can. Try showing a little initiative. I googled linux visual basic and found this
http://gambas.sourceforge.net/en/main.html
But only you really know what you want so wouldn't it be easier if you don't like Gambas to do a bit of googling yourself?
cheers,
jdk