I have an old computer here that I would like to run a version of linux on, but I do not know which one to use. It is a P133 with 48 MB of ram and an 8 GB Hard drive.

There are two things I need this computer to do.

The first is I need it to be able to run Java apps from over the internet so I can use it to watch the stock market. I also need to be able to run a graphical web browser.

The second is I would like it to act as a file, possibly print, server for 3 other windows PCs.

I could just load up Win98, but I feel this could be a great opportunity for me to learn linux.

So what are you suggestions as far as distros?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Ron

Check out Vector Linux. Should do what you are looking for.

I'm afraid that 48MB RAM, graphical + Java
won't go together too well :/

Good luck, and lots of patience,
with whatever distro you chose ;)

Make sure your swap partition
is big enough ;}

If you could throw in another 64Megs
that would GREATLY improve the
machines performance. (I mean, Java
will still crawl, considering the CPU,
but the graphical environment with
a small browser [opera?] should be
bearable)

Cheers,
Tink

Vector on a similar machine with 32 meg of ram was reasonably fast for me. Choose the oldest version of Xfree86 it will allow you to, that helps, too.

Including Java Applications?

Wow...

Cheers,
Tink

Seems to work great. The only reason it took me so long to get it up and running was because my floppy drive was bad. But after I replaced it, it wasn't too hard to get going.

Seems to run fine, even on this older system.

Thanks for all of your help. -Ron