I have an older PC that i want to use for a guest computer and ive heard that linux is the most secure/stable kernal to use, espeically on older systems. Any recommendations? I jsut want to limit the guests to be able to log on to MSN Messenger, Web Browser (firefox), and access to print on the server. I wanan be able to not allow them to install programs, but be able to download something, but when they log out everything gets erased and set back to its original state... is this possible. If linux isnt the way to go, how should i go about doing this?!

i'd install debian, its light to begin with and not hard to install. Installing program is as simple as "apt-get install program"
after the inital install you have a bare system to mould, install X and a light window manager like icewm, the system will fly

i had debian running on a 100mhz pentium with 16mb, i could use MSN, listen to mp3's and browse the net, no glitches or problems

I just installed mandrake 9.2 with KDE on a pentium 150 with 64meg ram and 2gig drive and it's fine for doing mail and browsing the wen and plays Klondike and frozen bubble. Built for my sister from bits I found at the dump. It does help to be a little patient with the poor old thing tho.

Actually I just squeezed a p200mmx in it, but can only get the sucker to run at 188mhz max due to the screwed up multiplier pins. Ah well.

i think the question isn't really being addressed. this isn't really a "what distro" thread but more of a "how can i" thread.

yes, linux will work good on old computers, as long as you use a lightweight window manager. just google "window managers +x" and there will be lots of information on what to use. as for the user account you want to setup, that is fairly easy. any non-root user cannot install programs except to his/her folder, "/home/user". and any non-root user can access firefox and msn messenger (which you would be using gaim for). as for being able to download but not install, that gets a little more complicated. it really depends what they'll be downloading. you could always set up the window manager menu to only have the options "firefox", "msn messenger", and "logout". that's not the ultimate solution, but i'm sure someone else knows how to do that exactly.

ok so there are a million cds for this debain.. n e who, i founda way to get jsut the single cd, but i have options between src, powerpc, m68k, i386, alpha..... so which one do i choose. src?

what kind of processor is it? you probably want i386

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

its aactually an old compaq presario.. but i thought i i386 was a windows kernel. wouldnt i benifit more from the linux kernel? so yea, the i386 one then?

no, do i386

ok so now that im downlaoding the i386 image.. can you point me in the right direction or at least recommend one of the X Window Managers?

one of the *box window managers would be good. i prefer fluxbox, but blackbox is faster if you're looking for speed. some of the lesser-known *boxes are openbox and hackedbox. hackedbox is apparently really fast but lacks a lot of basic features. other than that i've heard good things about fvwm2, icewm, and enlightenment. i'm using enlightenment right now, but it's not really for super old computers.

can you give me the specs on the computer and an idea of what you want for a wm? on a scale of 1-10, 1 being basically a command line and 10 being super eye-candy, what do you want?

or better yet what features you need (for example, multiple desktops, toolbar, desktop icons, easy-to-edit menu, wallpaper, lots of themes, etc.)

well like i had previously said, its a compaq presarioand all iw ant is for users to be able to acesss msn messenger, and web browsing w/printing.

as for themes. i want to be able to have a decent, professional looking theme. i dont want it to look TOO basic, but i dont need anything EYE catching as its a compaq presario, with basic graphics card.

im not sure if that helps, but yea, something not windows 95 looking and nothing with crazzzy effect, jsut a cool theme tahts slick

well with fluxbox, there are no desktop icons. you start programs by right clicking the desktop, which opens a menu to pick from different apps. you can edit this menu via a text file, which is pretty straightforward. there is a toolbar at the bottom. it allows you to have multiple desktops, time, and space for minimized windows to go. it's pretty basic, but you can get a desktop background and some alright color themes. does that sound good? or do you need more or less eyecandy?