I'm sorry.. I'm just not ready for hardcore linux command line.

I do some things from the command line, but I can't function `100% with it.

I was wondering if their are any lightweight customizable gui distro's that would work on older computers.

My hardware: AMD-K3 300mhz 20gig hdd 128 + 32mb ram.

What I would like: Something like DSL linux. Except it installs all this crap along with the install. I'd like something where you can choose the packages you want before you install the distro. I'd like DSL linux but completely barebone. Maybe a text editor and a browser and that's it. I can install xampp and get the server running from their. But it just has tons and tons of packages that I can't get rid of.

I really don't care if the distro looks horrendous. I'd put the colors on 4 bit. I don't care, I just need something to click.

The least amount of ram wasted the better

Sounds like you'd like Debian. Download a netinstall CD (Etch -- so to be "stable", or Sarge -- current stable).

When it asks you to pick stuff to install (Desktop, Web Server, etc), just skip it. You'll get a shiny new command line.

Change to root (type su and enter the root password). Then do apt-get install xdm x-window-system-core icewm synaptic. This will install a lightweight desktop and a graphical package manager (synaptic). From there you can install whatever you like.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Linux Distributions and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Vector Linux 4.3
http://www.vectorlinux.com/

Slackware
http://www.slackware.com/

BeaFanatIX
http://bea.cabarel.com/

Deli
http://delili.lens.hl-users.com/

Also try Gentoo:

Gentoo
http://www.gentoo.org/

you can find more here:

http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributi...Distributions/
http://www.linuxlinks.com/Distributions/Floppy/

OMG Ditto!

I just recently tested that very config, but instead of etch, I used the ubuntu 6.06 dapper server cd install (based off debian).

Tweaked it down to ~26MB RAM usage and 31 processes (non-gui), then added icewm (same as you!) which took it up to ~53MB RAM & 40 processes.

It wont run as fast as DSL, but you will be running the latest and greatest.

If you want a distro that will run as fast a dsl, then check out puppy linux. They have a version called barebones puppy, which is, as it sounds, the minimal install (FAST), then easy to add stuff. The puppy people have made it stuper easy for you to add software. They actively support their distro. You might be pleasantly suprised.

www.puppylinux.org

Hope this helps!

sigh.... you mentioned ram might be the cause...

I just stuck in another stick a day before install.

Can't return it either.

SIGH.

You can also install something like Webmin to provide you with a convenient web interface for configuring the machine and services.. as good as a gui front end if not better.

Webmin was a big help for me when I first started out. It kept me from getting frustrated and giving up too soon