Recommended Distribution?

mishima · 12-17-2013, 07:49 AM

Hi, our high school was recently donated some very old computers and I would like to revitalize one for student use. It is mainly to run a windows based program for data collection from a student built antenna, and will be always on.

However, it is also going to be used for a computer science class to compile simple C++ programs and get exposure to linux.

It is a 600 MHz pIII with 128 MB sdram. Any suggestions?

TobiSGD · 12-17-2013, 08:39 AM

For a machine like that I would recommend to go for antiX. Keep in mind that Linux is not able to run Windows software. You may have luck to get your application running using the Wine application layer, but there is no guarantee that it will work.

mishima · 12-17-2013, 08:45 AM

Small followup, is wine better on some distributions than others, or is it really just up to the program being attempted?

Germany_chris · 12-17-2013, 08:48 AM

It's the program attempted

mishima · 12-17-2013, 08:50 AM

Ok, so if it works on one linux distribution theres a good chance it can work on another?

Also, I should mention that internet access is not available for this computer. Any problems installing antiX because of that lack?

TobiSGD · 12-17-2013, 08:58 AM

Lacking Internet should give you no problems, antiX comes with everything on the CD, IIRC. But you will need Internet access to download the Wine package (and possible dependencies), of course.

Germany_chris · 12-17-2013, 10:07 AM

I have an iMac for work that is not allowed to be on the network, so what I do is take it home everytime there is a big update and update it from home. Why don't you bring the computer home and install everything, get it running right then bring it back to school.

mishima · 12-17-2013, 01:31 PM

Thanks for all the help, yes I should just take it home.