Can I install Linux on my pc?, Which is the best version according to my requirements
 

I need to install Linux on my pc. I´m fed up with Windows. It´s nothing but problems and worries. I´m a huge fan of Linux. In my school we learn it and I´ve also done some work managing a server. I don´t know which distribution and version will run best on my pc. My PC has 200 Mhz, 48 ram, 32 bits video card, and 40Gb in HDD. My computer is somewhat old. It´s Mboard was manufactured in ´96 so take this into consideration also. I currently have installed Win98 and I can install Win98SE but I´d rather wait for your answer. I work a lot with Web development and Image and Video editing, I need to know (if possible) which type of programs are best for these sort of things. On Win98 I work with the Macromedia kit (DW and FX) and Photoshop 7.0 mostly, so if you know of any programs equivalent to these in Linux, thanks !!!!

I´ll be waiting for your answer
thanks again
teratux86

Sure, I'll take a stab at this. Likely, you can run most distributions of Linux on yourcomputer. What you want to do on your machine, though, is to make it go really fast. What I'dsuggest is that you try Debian or Slackware. I think Slack has the edge on older equipment (Vector Linux is a great example of what can be done with Slack - try it, actually, it's only 600mb and full featured - Win98 is spartan and lacking in comparison). Debian is nice as well, for similar reasons. It might be nicer for you because apt-get is so nice to use when you want to install something.

What I would avoid on that machine, is a 2.6 kernel. If you can run fine with a 2.2 kernel (yes, its still kept up to date - 2.2.25, I think) instead of 2.4, you'll benefit, as it requires the least memory of all three. That's important for someone with a RAM-challenged machine as yours (remember when it said 16mb, 32 recommended?) There will be many people who don't actually read your request, but remember, Windows XP won't work on older hardware.The same goes for Newer flavors of Linux. Support for many older pieces of hardware has been dropped in the name of progress. That's not a bad thing. It just means that you have to use what'smade for your hardware. The good news is that what you have is not too old to be supported by most, if not all, of the most modern systems out there right now.

I'd say give Debian Woody a try, as its given me the best luck with older hardware (only thing has been the network card - better have a popular chipset).