comes with Debian, should I switch distros?
 

I am getting a computer for free

# Pentium III 700 - 866mhz
# 192MB RAM
# 11 - 19 GB hard drive

and it comes with Debian and I was wondering if I should switch to something else like Ubuntu or something else, kinda new to linux, but have used red hat linux 8 briefly.

Just wondering and any advice is good.

Thanks.

If it's working, I'd leave it alone for a while until you get comfortable with Linux. Installations are notoriously difficult for newbies. Once you're comfortable with how Linux works generally, then you may wish to install a different distro just to try out the differences.

Based on the hardware I would recommend VectorLinux - http://vectorlinux.com/ Runs very well on older computers. Based on Slackware but easier to get to grips with.
Having said that, I have had kanotix (based on Debian Sid) - http://www.kanotix.com/index.html running on a 750mhz with 64MB ram in the past. It was a little slow but still acceptable considering...

rickh~~~Thanks for the comment I might just try that since it is in working condition or should be. It will come with KDE and everything that that has with open office I believe. I am just wondering if it will be setup for the internet or how it should work and if it uses dhcp. Or getting new packages.

shame~~~I tried vector linux 3.2 for my pentium 1 with 32 MB of RAM and everything worked just fine, but I didn't paly with it too much when I had the chance. The only thing was is that it had to have the cd in the drive when booting up. I might try Kanotix in the future, thanks for the suggestion.

Well- there's a joke going like this-
Ubuntu- an ancient African word for "can't configure debian"

Although somewhat comical- it is in a way true. Ubuntu is for people who either cannot install/configure debian, just don't have the time, or want things to "just work"

So, if your debian installation is installed and set up (which it seems like it is...) I would just leave it, as an ubuntu installation would give you almost the same setup.

The only time you might change distros would be if it is running slowly, however, it should run fine. My Pentium II, 256 mem, box works faster with kde than most modern windows pc's.

If you want more speed try the following distros:
Xubuntu- ubuntu with the light-weight XFCE desktop enviroment
Vector- based of slackware, designed for slower computers
Arch- hard to install/configure, however you are reworded for your work. Arch is extreamly light-weight, with all i686 packages.

Good luck- pengu

What version of Debian?

If it is running Stable (3.1 Sarge), then it may be worth upgrading to Unstable (Etch).

If it is running 3.0 (Woody) then definitely upgrade to a newer version, since Woody is ancient.

Other than that, Ubuntu should run OK on that machine.

--Ian

If Debian works leave it. Although you may want to upgrade depending on which version it is running.

Sarge is Stable but getting rather old, Etch is considered Testing and soon to be the new stable. Sid/unstable really isn't unstable and has a lot of newer packages.

I would recommend reading the available Debian documentation.