Will Linux help an old iBook?

lee292 · 02-02-2005, 08:34 AM

I have a blueberry iBook, 300 MHz, 128 Mb, 6 GB hard drive, presently running OS 9.2.2. I'm going to use this machine mostly for e-mail and Internet surfing. However, I'm concerned about IE5's lack of security, and most Mac firewalls require Apple's OS X. From what I've read, OS X doesn't run well on small systems like mine, and I don't want to spend a bunch of bucks upgrading the machine. Can Linux help me???

musicman_ace · 02-03-2005, 05:48 AM

The short answer would be yes. With a slightly small HD, you can either run a live CD and use the 6GB as 100% storage, or selectively install certain packages with the distro you choose. On that system, I'd recommand Debian or slack, though I'm not sure if they have powerpc architectures. Definitely look into the Live CD as it won't hurt to try it. If you don't like it, then just stick with what you already have. http://linux-live.org

edit:

Also try to use a lightweight window manager, like flux. If you have to use Gnome or KDE, try Gnome first as KDE would want more memory.

microsoft/linux · 02-03-2005, 10:08 AM

debian most definitely does have PPC architecture. It also, if you use the netinst image, will allow you to choose which packages you want

halo14 · 02-04-2005, 08:34 AM

For PPC arch. Debian, Gentoo, Fedora, Mandrake, Ubuntu, and Yellow Dog come to mind.. Gentoo would probably give you the best performance, speed, stability... after it is installed of course.. which is a journey in and of itself..

If this is going to be your first Linux experience.. i would probably recommend Ubuntu or Yellow Dog.. Preferably Ubuntu (and they will ship you CDs for free, or you can download it if you have the bandwidth)... 6 GB is plenty.. don't worry about that.. Ubuntu would run decently.. Ubuntu is a nice desktop distro based off of Debian..

Debian would also be nice.. but you'd have to know what your doing with the OS.. and if it's your first experience.. you might be a little put-off...

Sooo..

try Ubuntu...it's a clean, no-flack distro... one program for one purpose. unlike many which will give you 8 web browsers and 5 word processors.. Good luck...

lee292 · 02-04-2005, 04:46 PM

Please try not to laugh too hard, but what's a distro?

Also, it might be nice to have a choice of word processors on my Linux installation. I love OpenOffice because it can handle my MS Office documents from work, and I'm currently using FireFox as my web browser on my W*****s machine. Both of these apps come in Linux versions. Any other Linux stuff available that fits the bill?

halo14 · 02-04-2005, 05:35 PM

distro = distrobution

i.e. - debian is a distro, "linux" is just the kernel

I think you'd be happy with Ubuntu on there.. it's nice and clean.. made for productivity.. and since it's debian based.. you can just open up a console and "sudo pt-get update", "sudo apt-get install <program>" for whatever you want... also.. after you first install it.. i would recommend doing the following:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

after those 2 commands finish... you will have completely up-to-date os on your hands.. then, if there is anything missing.. simply do the "apt-get install gaim" for example... and that will install the gaim instant messaging software(and all dependancies of course).. which can use Yahoo!, AIM, MSN, Jabber, GroupWise, etc.. protocols all in the same program with 1 buddy list.. separated by protocol.. VERY NICE!!

www.ubuntulinux.org

go ahead and get it.. i think you'll like it...