I swear by desktop machines. I have a laptop too but I use it only to take dumps over wifi. I just can't feel when I use it that I have a real computer. The built-in keyboard is rubbish, soon starts failing, and the trackpad is fiddly and uncomfortable to use compared with a mouse. I like proper peripherals: a mouse that fits my hand and a keyboard with sprung keys and separate navigation and numeric pads. Oh yes, and a proper large screen that my old eyes can read.

Agreed, I see all these as tools and use the best for the situation. There are times when I prefer a real book and paper, pencil puzzles for example like when I am very sick or just find Net, IT too routine and boring.

I will get slackaware Linux later today I think:
https://mirrors.slackware.com/slackw...re64-14.2-iso/

Good to keep it atleast, the DVD is 2.6G

incidentally, i recently found a mechanical typewriter.
it takes finger muscles & precision (each one needs to be hit properly and equally hard) to get the letters look right, but i still have it - albeit 2 fingers only.
anyway, being old enough to have used something like that, i can imagine that a laptop keyboard feels flimsy and one always fears to break the circuitry that's hidden underneath.

When it comes to retro computing, in terms of software in the Linux world, LinuxBBQ is the ultimate in what I have seen so far. I can never come close to what the folks there are doing. They explore so much, it is impressive.

Tiny Linux:
http://tiny.seul.org/en/

Just came across the above, seems super simple and retro.

Getting Slackaware Linux 2016 DVD iso now.

Just realized after getting this that it is 64 bit. They don't support 32 bit anymore but in future must keep this in mind while getting a new distro. Tend to forget this sometimes.

http://techrights.org/2017/12/23/cru...es-with-linux/

Articles like the above are a great motivator to continue and use retro computing.
The small users device, data can be easily locked up and held for ransom in such a case.

Spent a bit part of evening yesterday with LinuxBBQ and getting the hang of command line use. It is -39C now with wind here, will take new learning a bit easy till weather stabilizes. Spending one evening every 3 days to a week with LinuxBBQ must help me get familiar with it in a few weeks.

The only concern there is that my Ram use is 265 Mb, this is even tho I had no programs running and no xwindows. They say for such a situation Ram use must be around 50 Mb or so.

I have decided to give myself some slack as I am doing my best with Pauly and am a human being, not a bird. I will make some errors with him but will try and keep those to a minimum. An older bird will want to rest and remain alone more. Pauly is quite active at times, loves warmth, love and cuddles. I have made a big error in thinking he is old before. He seems young, his parents probably made him leave his nest as he is well grown but he is still needy, weak and unable to feed himself on the streets. This is fine, I will give him my very best, be gentle with him and then take things as they come.

He rested on my chest inside my comforter for 15 mts yesterday. Several times he jumped on my arm to perch on there and eat from my hand. Based on my encouragement, he is starting to move around more, this is very vital in winter and even I must do the same.

http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/m...stro-for-noobs

This needs to much HD space in my view.

I had very hard time with LinuxBBQ for HD install. It will wipe entire partition before install, I have no free partition, so installed it to an external USB. This took time, there were some error messages towards end of install these vanished fast, I was not there to monitor entire install. PC will not boot from USB, said /root is not present is /etc/fstab and gave an initrd error also.

So, I copied the entire USB install to HD, then modified the old grub to reflect this new change, then booted that PC. Same issues, didn't help. This took almost 3 hours yesterday. Perhaps for now, I will just read more theory about LinuxBBQ, try a few practice sessions with the Live CD and take it from there.

Worse comes to worse, I can just install Debian base and then try to add the command line apps that I wish. However, will progress slowly for now, I am still a newbie at this.

I haven't even heard about many of these apps, will learn about them slowly now, tx for sharing.

http://www.the-tech-tutorial.com/top...e-linux-games/

Didn't realize there are CLI games, tx to LinuxBBQ for this.

All distros used to come with 'bsdgames' installed in the base set up.

https://www.tecmint.com/best-linux-t...console-games/
https://ttygames.wordpress.com/

Have fun!