Which Linux to go for
 

Had enough bully from MS and wanna switch to Linux.
Hi there, I'm a total noob and like to know which Linux would be best for my Laptop to begin with.

P150MMX
1.5GB FAT HD
64MB RAM.

Thanks in advance. :D

ehh
 

I vould recomend you to buy a new laptop sonny, sure it runs linux, but at what cost

Do not use KDE or Gnome, use a light windowmanager like icewm or fluxboxyou might want to try debian with 2.2 kernel or some old distro.

This is often a paradox, users want to try linux on old hardware, but get a system wich is hard to install, use and update due to the hardware does not support newer linux software. Sure the kernel will run, but the kernel is only part of the linux os.

If you do not want to manually install a distro with commandline tools, end up with a system that is usable only as a firewall or semithin client then buy new hardware, or use new hardware if you have it. I would set the minimum specs to 800mhz (absolute min 500mhz) and 256mb (absolute min 128mb)of ram to run a proper linux distro.

If you try to innstall on your crap laptop you might get a permanent avertion to linux, do yourself a favour and remove the window from your main computer, or do a dual boot install.

Also linux needs 3-4 gb to the os only, this is because this includes all the software you'll ever need (allmost)
A standard linux distro includes office, connectivity software, a couple of windowmanagers+++

Please do not even think of installing on that laptop!!! Do not be offended by my post, i only want what is best for you;)

Much respect to your reply :cool: , but being an obnoxious me :p , I went ahead and installed DSL 0.8.2 right after my first post just to see what will happen. And to my suprise....."it worked" :D ....

Now I'm striving my way trying to install it on my HD and over ride the 1.5GB FAT W2K....
:p

krisealv, I don't agree with most of what you say, my current computer is a 500MHZ with 256MB, but I ran Linux for four years on a 200MHZ with 32MB of RAM. It was fine, just didn't run KDE or GNOME (but it ran their software just fine). When I added 32 it ran even better. But fluxbox, window maker, enlightenment always worked like a charm. Not everyone needs the latest and greatest KDE and GNOME.

Just don't go for the glitzy ditros like Red Hat, Fedora, Mandrake or Suse. A lot of others will work and install just fine and you don't have to install all the extras.

darthtux> Can you give me an idea on what Linux I should get started with the laptop that I present own? :)

Thanks in advance.

I doubt you not
 

I do however think that a newbie needs the sleek feel of kde or gnome to not be put off by the difference from windows. I'm sorry about the way I barged through in my last post, I got kind of carried away:/

All-though, you started running linux on the 200mhz at least four years ago. I'm talking about today, and the choices in operating systems people have today. Four years is a long time in the computer world.'

Darkdragon: you are a brave man, I wish you luck but you have been warned;)

Debian, Ubuntu, Slackware. With Debian, I don't know what the install requirements are but I would recommend installing the net install cd and then you can use apt to get what else you need. If you need help just post back here :)
Sarge install
http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/
If that doesn't work get Woody.

krisealv, I used it full time up until 1 year ago. KDE and GNOME apps can still be run. Just not the full desktop with the bells and whistles. You say operating systems aka Linux which is what I disagree with. KDE and GNOME are not the operating system. I agree with you that if they want the latest and greatest KDE and GNOME, they need better hardware. But the functioning of an operating system in no way depends on them. In fact, I only use a gui at all for a few things. And I agree that many newbies want the desktop that looks like windows. That won't happen with an old laptop. Well, it can be done with icewm window manager :)

well
 

The operating system is more than the kernel; on linux it typically consists of the kernel, the shell, gnu tools ++
if it has got X then it also needs a proper desktop. KDE and Gnome is more than a windowmanager gui thing. they are desktop environments with all the tools you need. there really are no replacements to KDE or Gnome on linux. Not as a complete package. If you use the terminal for all configuration, and only need to run a few select apps, then go ahead fred, then go for flux, icevm, fvwm or the likes of them.

I guess we will have to disagree. Cause there is actually nothing in GNOME or KDE that you need.

It's been a while since I did my Debian install, but I've heard other people using the new installer (which probably should work fine on his laptop) and just intalling the bare minimum (base) and perhaps some other useful non-bare-minimum-tools. Then, when the bare-bone system is up and running, learn to use aptitude and select the desired packages.

It may not be the route to go for a newbie, but some are brave and curious... :) Just know that a fully running Linux system is much flashier than what you may initially end up with...

I did a handful of reinstallations before I got my laptop to where it is today ;)

/TLV

Thanks for the input, but still I dun have a very clean picture when it comes to installation.
Can you be a little more specific?:D
A brief procedure would be appreciated....*chinese bow*

Install the net-install CD. It will attempt to get you online and walks you through the process. When that is finished:

Then
apt-get update
For GUI
apt-get install x-window-system
If you want a lean window manager
apt-get install fluxbox fluxconf fbpager fbdesk

To find programs to install
apt-cache search keyword

After you installed some programs, it stores the package files in /var/cache/apt/archives/
To clean them out
apt-get clean

EDIT: here is an installation walkthrough:
http://osdir.com/shots/slideshows/sl...se=135&slide=1 On the first screen press F1 and take your time.

darthtux> Thanks for the big help. But I was too anxious :D and installed DSL 0.8.2 on my NB as the main OS. Everything went quite well so far. *keeping my fingers crossed* :p

*bows and offer darthtux some chinese tea*

Re: I doubt you not
 

Thanks for the comment, in life there are many risks that we have to take, choosing an OS that "actually" work is one of them....keke

*serving krisealv chinese tea and fortune cookies*

Why don't you try installing one of the Live CDs first, to see if you have any success. That might be a good indication of whether loading that OS might be the right one for you.

Mandrake and Ubuntu have LiveCDs. SuSE has one, too. You could start with Knoppix, which is Debian based. I've tried all and they're all very easy. I like Ubuntu's new CD.

It would be interesting to see how far you get with these Live CDs.