Hi!

Ok, here's the deal. I have a DELL Deminsion 2400 with 256 megs of RAM. I'd like to be able to download a linux distro on to an 8 gig memory stick and use it, instead of redoing the hard drive over again.

I'm hoping that once I'm in linux, I can story my data on the memory stick and not on the WIN XP HOME computer.

I'm an Amateur Radio Operator, yes Morse code. I was told that Ubuntu/Kbuntu was perfect for this, as it has a lot of digital mode programs in the packages. Now I see, folks are having trouble running Ubuntu. So, I need to find another, more stable version with the digital packages. Again, I've been told that Debian has a lot of packages, but is not for the first-time beginner to start with. .

To top it off, I don't know a hoot & hollar about either KDE or Nome which one would suit my needs. I need something very simple and basic, yet have a firewall that would protect me from intrusion, LOL!
Some of my antenna and ionosphere data is particulary sensitive.

I know that some of you are HAMS and ALL of you are kind people.

Now, QUESTION: How do I download linux on to a memory stick, #1?

#2. Which is better KDE or Knome(sp?), the easiest to operate.

#3. Which distro of linux would have those digital Ham radio packages?

GOD BLESS,
Warmest Regard (73)

Buck
Amateur Radio - KA5LQJ

Buck,

Welcome back.

I'm glad we were able to resolve your questions about security. Maybe it'd be best to tell us about your problems running Ubuntu off of a stick before switching to another Distro, because besides mint, it is considered by many to be pretty much the easiest distro to use. Now it's also pretty widespread, so inevitably you'll see threads on here with Ubuntu issues but I've never personally had a problem with it. The reason I am sticking to Ubuntu specifically is that it has step-by-step instructions for creating a bootable USB right on the main Ubuntu website. Mint may have that, too,-I've never tried that distro. So that's my take on question one.

As for question two, K Desktop Environment (KDE) and Gnome are just the programs that manage a graphical desktop with icons and taskbars for you to have a familiar computing experience. I think they are about the same level of complexity, and while I personally prefer KDE, I think it's largely a matter of what you find appealing. Many distros have flavors for both (Ubuntu is Gnome and Kubuntu, KDE) or allow you to download both of those and other ones, too, such as LXDE.

The nice thing about Linux is that the base Linux kernel is only a tiny set of core utilities that make the operating system run, and is common to all distros. The rest of the software packages are typically GNU-based and so are multiplatform, with some GNU programs even available for Windows. (the Gimp, VLC, et caetera) This means that it's likely that any packages of the nature you are looking for will likely be available for whichever distro you choose, especially if it's debian-based like Ubuntu. So there's three. I hope this is useful.

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That is probably because a new release came out this month and there are often bugs to be ironed out immediately after a release. I don't use Ubuntu much but if you are looking for something specific, then search for distributions that meet your requirements. The simplest method I have found to install any Linux to a usb or flash drive is unetbootin. You can do it from windows or Linux. Make sure you read the instructions for use first as not doing so is the most common reason it fails. Link below:

http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net

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Merci Beaucoups, mon ami!

My Mother is half Acadian French, as her people were. She was
born in Avoyelles Parish and her maiden name was Couvillon, LOL!
I speak very little Cajun, but I used to party like one, LOL! And yes, I'll eat anything that doesn't eat me first...pass dat hot sauce. I appreciate your help. Looks like
I'll try downloading it to a memory stick first, then if not successful, I'll send off for the CD. I'm hoping to get my vested retirement check nex month and that will help some of the financial crunch. Bush wanted my 'dollars' and Obama wants my "change" so that leaves me with nothing, LOL!

Seems as if everytime I go to do something in linux, I hit a roadblock. I got Ubuntu and the computer I had, an old Iwill
P-3 1.2 gig with 1 gig of Ram would not run it. Since then, the Iwill went 'tits up', I've moved and misplaced the CD of Ubuntu......snake bit again.

Well, I have an early hospital test in the morning.

GOD BLESS,
Best Regard,

Buck

Buck,

Thanks for the friendly response. I should also mention that you want to try and find a lightweight distro/desktop manager for that old Dell with limited RAM. A lot of modern distros assume at least 512 MB by default.

Let us know what works for you.

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Well, I guess if I want Linux to work on this old hoss, I'm gonna have to pony up some $$$$ for some additional RAM. Seems like I won't be able to DODGE it, ROFL!

(You'll just have to put up with the jokes, folks.)

As for the friendly response, I'm half Cajun French (Mom) and half Shanty-poor Irish (working-class) [Dad], so, I'm either a Lepri-coonass OR a good excuse to be a drunk, LOL!

I wished I had learned to speak Cajun French (County French) when my grandmother was alive. She rarely spoke anything but Cajun.

I grew up in the 1950's, when manners and chivalry were in flower. I still hold doors open for ladies, say, Yes Mam', No Mam, Thank You, Mam. I'll never change.

Well, we're expecting a cold front to move through the Ark-La-Tex sometime around 1 pm our time (0600 hrs Z). I can't see any severe weather out that far on the radar, but I'm prepared for it. I'll be able to take and direct radio traffic to the proper places.

GOD BLESS,
Warmest Regard,

"Buck" Saunders (Couvillon)
Amateur Radio - KA5LQJ
Area-5-Wx-Group

In case you think puppy linux might be for you on 256MB of ram

link

In case Debian Net install is your bag

link

Antix live will run off of a usb and can be installed to another usb as a persistent install using antix2usbpy script in antixcc.

link

and run on 256MB of ram (it did for me, but I upgraded ram to 512MB and my /swap is 900MB and my install is on internal drive on my IBM A22m) and has access to Debian Testing (Wheezy) repositories by default in /etc/apt/sources.list

Synaptic Package manager can be installed if using Base or Core Iso as well as Gdebi on a persistent pendrive install. Full Iso comes with synaptic preinstalled already with the Latest Debian Testing apps for ham radio after opening a terminal as root

password=root on a persitent pendrive install. Hit enter key after typing in password.

loads up what is current after initial install in Synaptic. Close terminal. Then open synaptic and have at it.

Good luck.

1 members found this post helpful.

Rokytnji,

"Thanks" for the help. I think I'll just avoid Ubuntu all together and go with something else. Puppy sounds 'cute', Maybe this Ol' Dog can still learn some tricks,

I've been going at it the wrong way, I think. I've tried to take on too much of distro's without finding something basic and simple. I eventually want to get good enough to use Debian with command line prompts, like the old DOS. When I had DOS 6.22 if it broke, I could fix it in a couple of keystrokes, LOL!

Once I get familiar with say, Puppy, I'll move up a rung on the linux ladder.

To ALL of you, I appreciate your kindness and help. I still may need a 'hand' from time to time. Just hang in there with me and I'll be able to help someone else someday.

GOD BLESS,
Best Regard (73)

Buck

Puppy is cute! I used to have an NEC laptop (AMD K6-300, 64MB RAM); it ran Puppy just fine. I keep a copy of Puppy on an old 512MB flash drive for rescue purposes - and have needed it more times than I like to admit (that's what happens when you play with your computers too much).