I need to install linux for a beginner, on a somewhat older computer.

For myself, I would use slackware. But since I want them to be able to install a wide variety of software easily with synaptic, I'd like it to be debian based...except with the perks of a minimalistic + kde slackware install. (but not gnome)

Another possibility is something Gentoo based, so he could use portage. I was looking at vidalinux, but thats gnome based..so again, out of the question.

Something like Kanotix would be nice if it werent so bloated.


The computer is 600mhz
20gb hard drive
256mb ram

(BTW, being an XFCE user, I have nothing against gnome. KDE is just easier for begginers.)


-thanks

Same answer as usual. Try a few distros and then keep whatever the user likes. How about Mepis, Kubuntu or as you mentioned Kanotix itself if you want KDE centric distros.

Question if the user is a beginner is it wise 2 introduce him into a more advance system? like u said gentoo or slacware? wouldn't something like Mandrake or SuSE b more easy for the beginner?
unless the user has extensive programming knowledge?

just my 2 cents

Don't mark your threads with "asap" or the likes.. there is no priority in answering members threads over any all others if marked in such fashion. Members come here to answer your questions for free in their own spare time, be considerate to the thousands of others that wait patiently for answers and that don't put a priority on their own threads by putting such acronyms like "ASAP" or "Urgent" in their titles, it does nothing to speed up your replies.

Regards.

I don't think you can use minimalistic and KDE in the same sentence. Talk about an oxymoron!

There are plenty of newbie-friendly distros out there to be had. Mandrake, SuSE, SimplyMepis, etc... Pick one and install it.

Personally, of the "automated" type distros, I have introduced several newbies to SimplyMepis and they have had few problems. Hardware detection is excellent and it is very easy to use for someone migrating over from windoze.

Install Debian sarge. Run the netinst cd, when it reaches the "installing packages" menu, dismiss it and do a minimal system install. Also, ask to edit soures.list by hand and add the correct lines. Then reboot it, enter the console as root and run apt-get against the closest mirror. Install just what you want: x-window-system, kde and desktop apps.
Good luck!

You can have a minimalistic KDE installation. Mandrake for example splits most KDE packages into individual pacages and hence you don't need to install all of them. This feature has been available in KDE for a while but very few distros use it.

I use kanotix
Removed kde and gnome crap
I use fluxbox and rebuilt the kernel removeing 100 modules I will never use and unticked some settings I wont need either.
Bloated/
No more than any debian system......in fact Ive lightend it up quite a bit.

How about buy Debian, and install XPDE (it looks very close to windows, and when the newbie wants to try a new WM show them KDE) What is wrong with Gnome? It looks a lot like Mac OS (but better).

Mac OS X is UNIX based, so has a modded version of NEXT and gnome (but with all that mac fluf on it).

thanks for the replies

what a BUSY weekend. Well. I started off trying to install kubuntu, but it failed just as it did many times before. Kanotix was my next choice, but it wouldn't even boot into X! Finally, I tried slackware, but can't seem to get resolutions higher than 640x480 (that undefined parameter crap.) Uninstalled that, and I'm thinking of going for mepis now. Any experience with that?

just load up debian net installer cancel out at the software chooser so it's minimal install

apt-get install kde

tada metapakage for kde ....you can either write down the packages you want and do them individually or you can apt-get remove kde-extracrapsection to remove the edutainment stuff...

you probably also want a heap of other apps etc but this will get you kde running and you can pick and choose the extra bloat items easily......


apt-cache search is your freind......or aptitude if you want recommended packages also.....

synaptics also works well but i dont know what part of KDE thats in....probably base.