Re: [OS:N:] Linux on low-end hardware?

[Sitki Yurekli <yurekli_sitki@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Robert,

I installed Ubuntu Breezy into an 166 Mhz MMX with 256 MB Ram. Now I
have several problems with standard Gnome manager. But I can solve them
by using someother way won't come with standart installation. More,
this installation is not the extreme one I tried Ubuntu, beforehand I
installed Ubuntu on same machine with 64 MB, it worked but not in an
acceptable way for newcommers. 

I tried same distro in Celeron 400 Mhz with 128 MB and the result was
very satisfactory if I could assess it from your points of interest in
this wonderfull project, and better than the first installation without
any doubt. 

With respect to my prior experiences and problems on Fedora Core and
Mandrake installations to brand new configurations, I could say, for
me, Ubuntu is fine and preferable with Debian's stable support behind
it for low-end machines. 

And, I couldn't forgot helps that I got from Knoppix's (Live distro but
an older version) support on unexpected problems that I've faced.

I really hope these lines can help you on your decision,

Very best regards,

Sitki Yurekli

--- Robert Citek <rwcitek@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 
> What linux distro and setup do people here recommend for low-end  
> hardware?
> 
> I'm helping out a local non-profit group "refurbish" machines that  
> they get as donations.  This group then uses the machines to teach  
> young kids about computing and sells the machines to raise a bit of  
> cash.  Most of these machines are low-end x86 machines, e.g. <400  
> MHZ, <128 MB RAM, <6 GB HDD, usually a WinModem.  Currently, their  
> standard operating procedure is to triage the machine (if the machine
>  
> is not working as a whole, remove parts and assemble a working  
> machine from parts), wipe the drive, install Windows 98 and some  
> application software, and configure the modem for dial-up.  Because  
> of licensing restrictions on Windows98, they'd like to move to  
> Linux.  The question is, what distro given the older hardware?
> 
> To date I've tried the following: FeatherLinux, DamnSmallLinux,  
> VectorLinux, Knoppix (using PDI, no install), Ubuntu (server install 
> 
> followed by install of xfce4), CentOS (base install followed by  
> install of xfce4).  Each distro has its pluses and minuses but  
> nothing stood out at the clear choice so far.  VectorLinux using
> xfce4 
> +ROX has come the closest to ideal.
> 
> The requirements for a distro, in addition to being able to run on  
> older hardware, are:
> 
> 1) look/feel similar enough to MS Windows so learning curve is not  
> too steep.  E.g. start-menu, manipulating windows, configuring  
> system.  xfce4 with some tweaks seems to work fairly well, but I'm  
> curious to know of other's experiences.
> 
> 2) simple to install application software.  Installing synaptic on  
> most debian-based systems addresses this.
> 
> 3) simple to clone or script an install.  I'm most familiar with  
> kickstart, but perhaps there are other solutions.
> 
> 4) provide an obvious upgrade path.  Ubuntu looks nicest for this: on
>  
> low-end hardware use xfce and on more powerful hardware use
> KDE/Gnome.
> 
> Of course, the hardest requirement is that it has to be "palatable"  
> to the other volunteers who are doing the work.  In my experience, if
>  
> the software is too different (steep learning curve) or gives them  
> too much headache (too inconsistent, buggy), they walk away.  And no 
> 
> non-profit wants to lose volunteers.
> 
> If anyone wants to share experiences or recommendations, I'd love to 
> 
> hear them.  Or if people know of blogs that already discuss some or  
> all of what I'm looking for, please do post links.
> 
> Regards,
> - Robert
> http://www.cwelug.org/downloads
> Help others get OpenSource software.  Distribute FLOSS
> for Windows, Linux, *BSD, and MacOS X with BitTorrent
> 
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