Linux...

splitt3r · Oct 19, 2007

I want to install linux on an old system (p4 1.6ghz, 512mb RAM, TNT2 32mb video card). It will be for my sister to use for Internet and school stuff so i don't have to deal with viruses, and I might use it as a proxy server.. well there are a TON of different linux distros and I don't really have experience with anything other than windows, so what do you recommend?

augiedoggie · Oct 19, 2007

What has been recommended to me as the closest clone of Windows is PCLinuxOS though I haven't tried it yet.

plodr · Oct 19, 2007

Go here http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php
and download and burn a live CD. It might take several until you find one that likes your hardware. You should not have to fight with the distro to be able to connect to the internet, have sound, have a decent video, and be able to print. If any is a problem, put that aside and try another distro. When you find one that you like and it likes the computer, most of the major ones have an icon on the desktop that you click on that allows you to install it.
The larger ones, in terms of users, have better support so I wouldn't select anything far down on that list.
You may want to try:
a) PCLinux (very user friendly)
b) Ubuntu/Kubuntu (the only difference is the desktop; since you are having a first look, it won't matter)
c) Simply Mepis, it says MEPIS on the link I've posted
d) Knoppix (I'm not sure if this has an installer but it is great to run to fix windows problems)
e) Mandriva One 2007.1 (2008.0 version now but it will be better when it is 2008.1)

My first install was Simply Mepis. It was so easy. Then I tried PCLinux and it was even better.
I've also installed Vector Linux, and run live versions of Puppy, dsl, Mint, Sabayon, Kannotix, SLAX - kill Bill edition, and a few other very obscure distros.
Ubuntu is very popular and it was the first Live distro I looked at but it doesn't like my hardware.

If you are not on a high speed connection and do not want to spend days downloading, you can purchase some CDs. I need to see if I can find some sites where the prices are reasonable.

shanemail · Oct 19, 2007

I have an Ubuntu Cd being delivered

Ordered it from http://www.ubuntu.com

It is totally free including free postage, though they do mention it may take up to 10 weeks for delivery

splitt3r · Oct 21, 2007

Thanks, i think i will check out mepis and ubuntu.

Mimsy · Oct 21, 2007

I've been running various releases of Ubuntu on a laptop that has pretty much identical specs to the system you are thinking of, for over a year now, and have no serious complaints other than power management being sucky beyond words (40 minutes of active battery life? Guys, please...). What other problems I have had have all been self-inflicted... it's an easy beginners' distribution with lots of graphical interface support, of you are uneasy about command-line stuff. I'd strongly advise getting used to the command line and learning about it, as it is usually quicker and more precise than the GUI, but it's not mandatory from the start, which is nice.

Also, check out http://ubuntuforums.org/ for a very active and surprisingly newbie-friendly support community.

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Linux...

splitt3r You are now the victim of a drive by title change

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splitt3r You are now the victim of a drive by title change

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