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A few newb questions about Linux.
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Junior Member
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7. March 2008 @ 20:51 |
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I have never used Linux and I have only actually seen Linux being used once (don't know what version it was either). I have an old computer here are the specs:
ATC-6220 ver.1.1 motherboard
Pentium II 450Mhz
256MB RAM (384MB max for this motherboard)
ATI Radeon 9250 Video card
I would like to know what Linux is best for my machine. I have used Windows my whole life and I am very comfortable with it. But I find that maybe it is holding me back sometimes.
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tripplite
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7. March 2008 @ 21:20 |
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Quote:
I would like to know what Linux is best for my machine. I have used Windows my whole life and I am very comfortable with it. But I find that maybe it is holding me back sometimes.
linux will teach you alot, however you should be warned its different what your used to and it will take some time (2 weeks;)ya )
http://www.linux.com/download_linux/
http://www.ubuntu.com/
the minimum requirements seems to be around 256mb of ram so your set, but any OS will run choppy on a pent 2, but linux will run better then windows;)
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Junior Member
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7. March 2008 @ 22:42 |
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My god your everywhere! lol Thanks my friend.
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varnull
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7. March 2008 @ 23:39 |
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p2 450 eh.. That will run most modern linux pretty well. Ubuntu will be a bit on the bloatware side, and you may have an acpi problem from the bios being >2000. Try straight debian (will drop to low memory mode but that's fine) and strip some stuff out.. just put a basic desktop system on and add things as you need them ;) You should be able to run at 1024x768 screen res before you get stutter problems. If you can find another 128 stick of ram things will improve greatly. My minimum for a working debian system with GUI is 32MB.. so you have a fair bit of headroom :lol:
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Junior Member
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8. March 2008 @ 11:46 |
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Yeah I was looking at the Linux website and I saw all of these versions of Linux and I saw one call Damn Small Linux and it made me laugh I'm sure by the name it probably won't do much. Oh I have two HD's in my old Computer but they one is a 4GB and the other is 10GB I probably should have put Windows in the 10GB one but for some reason I installed it on the smaller one. I am running XP Pro on this old computer and it runs fine only it takes a while to boot up and running a lot of programs is out of the question. Maybe I sould go back to 2000 Pro? I was wondering which Linux would run the best on my machine and be able to run my movie files and such. I do plan on getting a couple of 128MB RAM cars so I would have 384 as oppesed to 256.
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Moderator
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8. March 2008 @ 11:54 |
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Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules *** |
Junior Member
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8. March 2008 @ 11:55 |
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Oh and I ran across this on youtube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h3Y6F1dSR8A
This Guy is running Ubuntu on a machine with stats lower than mine and he is messing with something that looks fun. What is this XGL and what is Beryl anyway?
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Moderator
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8. March 2008 @ 11:58 |
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3D eye candy; i'm sure there's a point for them for somebody out there,not for me :)
Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***
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Junior Member
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8. March 2008 @ 15:15 |
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I went to download Ubuntu and I was wondering if I would need the normal iso or the alternate?
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Junior Member
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9. March 2008 @ 15:53 |
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Seriously do I need the alternate Desktop or just the normal download?
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Junior Member
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9. March 2008 @ 16:10 |
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Actually disregard the last question I found out the info I needed to know. So about the drivers for stuff. How hard is it to find drivers for it?
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varnull
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9. March 2008 @ 21:05 |
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Old machine like that.. probably easier than windows :lol:
Seriously, the hardware support under most linux is just fantastic. I use a killbill disk to find what hardware is in a box when windows gives people the unknown device syndrome.
It's only with brand new stuff you will have driver problems.
As for aix/compiz/beryl.. I think people you see messing with it on old hardware are just experimenting on things that don't matter so much if they break them.. I can't see any use for the 3D desktop stuff.. linux has multiple desktops anyway, and that is a far more useful feature.
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Junior Member
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9. March 2008 @ 21:10 |
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The more I talk about it the more I see why so many people are using Linux. I was reading about Windows on wikipedia and I saw how stupid Microsoft is becoming. They are already working on a Vista replacement!!! It is called Windows 7 (wow lost ideas for a name? LOL) I still haven't downloaded Ubuntu yet but I am about to do it.
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tripplite
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9. March 2008 @ 21:12 |
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Quote:
I went to download Ubuntu and I was wondering if I would need the normal iso or the alternate?
either will work, its just a different download source:D
Quote:
The more I talk about it the more I see why so many people are using Linux. I was reading about Windows on wikipedia and I saw how stupid Microsoft is becoming. They are already working on a Vista replacement!!! It is called Windows 7 (wow lost ideas for a name? LOL) I still haven't downloaded Ubuntu yet but I am about to do it.
ill give you a fair warning warning, living without windows is not something easily done, thats why im currently dual booting the lot of them on one hdd, anyway i suggest since you have xp already you might as well dual-boot it with linux, your going to need to fall back on windows if the linux interface confuses you (lol am joking linux can be programed by an infant) no but seriously there are going to be many programs you run into that dont run on linux, at that time you'll be glade you kept xp on your computer:D
not at all as complicated as it sounds,
http://apcmag.com/6101/dualboot_windows_xp_and_ubuntu
if you have enough hard drive space you'll be fine:)
hdds are quite cheap anyways, you can pick up a decent 50gb hdd for 20bucks!
-tripplite
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. March 2008 @ 21:32
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varnull
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9. March 2008 @ 22:21 |
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I live without windows, and I don't even like using it while I'm out..
Live cd booting all the way. I forgot how to use XP, and that one desktop stuff is just.. well.. so damn primitive. Forget the way you are used to doing things.. don't expect linux to be like windows in anything but the superficial things. People who dual boot never seem to really get anywhere.. you need to bite the bullet and put up with the learning curve.. It doesn't take long for windows to seem like the poor relation, unfamiliar and old fashioned (yup.. I include vista in that.. 1 year old already, my debian is more recent)
It's a fallacy spread by M$ fanboys that you NEED M$ stuff.. you don't!!.
Vista and DRM is the best thing that has ever happened to FOSS operating systems and software. Apple tried the lockin in 93-95 and where are they now?? Windows arrived virtually free, and they didn't care about pirate versions circulating so long as people were using it.. It's only the last 2 years they have suddenly started playing it like a monopoly.. so ditch them, join with everybody else who has eyes and brain and lets get this war won once and for all
Don't get me started on vista... all the hassles of a unix system multiplied by bad implementation plus the same antique interface we know and hate from win95 onwards. My last windows machine was formatted and turned over to FreeBSD 2 years ago.. haven't had it in the house since. Even gave all my disks away.. not needed and surplus to requirements.
Anybody who says you NEED windows is telling fibs.. it's unnecessary. It's also a damn site easier to do multimedia stuff on linux these days.. try burning a bin file cd release on vista.. fail-fail-fail.. DRM..
TV companies with their DRM filled windows only media players are under attack from the open source movement right now.. public subscription public service broadcasters are finding we don't go away, and WE WILL NOT support M$ to access a service we are entitled to have as we have paid for it. The BBC have ip banned me from their talkback system after I started quoting their public service charter back at them.. so that's a victory, and I have complained to every MP in the UK about it. They don't let me have an opinion or access to the catch up system, but they forcibly make me pay £140 a year for TV from them.. dvd recorders rule.. check out my David Attenborough torrents for *nix users who are denied access to the content ;) Piracy caused by exclusion.. case 1.
What programs have I found that will not run on windows... Every .exe.. and who the hell needs them anyway?? *nix has far better programs and applications.. mostly free, lean and working, without DRM restrictions. Dump those windows ideas.. FOSS works, People.. real people.. make the applications. You can give them suggestions and feedback.. they are human beings, not faceless businesses. (ipod classic sets work with linux too, no need to upgrade to leopard.. hahaha)
The ONLY thing that I have had problems with is phone software, but I'm trying. The drivers aren't a problem.. linux can handle .inf files just like any other binary.. it's the interfaces that are missing.. but those are coming as well as more and more linux users are trying to connect phones.
That's the view from a total *nix house.. no windows here, and no need for it. Dual boot is for n00bs who can't or won't learn something new.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. March 2008 @ 22:43
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OzMick
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9. March 2008 @ 22:45 |
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I agree with varnull, I don't really miss a thing from Windows. The days of PC gaming are over, so the argument of not having any major games in really moot, if you want a recent game buy a gaming console. Or even better, buy a PS3 and run Linux on that. Two birds with one stone. If anything else doesn't work under Wine and is really important, odds are you're not the only one who wants it, and there exists a substitute.
Dual booting only encourages you to be lazy and not find a replacement, and if you keep using Windows as a crutch, you'll only keep needing it. And if you don't like the way the best replacement works, you are always able to get in there and contribute to make it better ("contribution" doesn't just mean code either, even helping with bug reports or writing documentation helps to allow those more involved focus more on what needs to be done).
You'll be surprised how many replacement projects there are for even fairly obscure things. I've just recently discovered a whole bunch of stuff for printed circuit board design and microcontroller programming that are as good and probably better than their Windows counterparts that can cost $400+ (just harder to learn due to added complexity!).
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Junior Member
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9. March 2008 @ 23:20 |
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You guys are making me so happy! As I download Ubuntu (55% downloaded right now.) I can't wait to try it. I am a guy who loves working with stuff! I watched a thing on youtube that made me want to a least see Linux. I will probably watch some more linux stuff on youtube after I am done typing. As for Microsoft aka M$ (or doo-dooheads) Bill Gates can step on a land mine. I love this idea of people helping people. I will have to dual boot however my dad isn't very good with computers and he would be ultra confused. I cannot wait to use linux!!!! There really isn't too many .exe files I actually use. I know that windows is nothing but .exe and I don't game on PCs I barely game on consoles but the PS3 Linux thing sounds sweet.
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varnull
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9. March 2008 @ 23:25 |
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Nicely put Mick.. You found linux apps are made for results not ease of use too then?
That's what I love about it.. The way things are made to do the job first, and be pretty and easy second. Too many times a pretty GUI hides a primitive and basic thing underneath all dressed up and charged a fortune for.. Those batch file renamers are a classic example. $30 for a basic dos command dressed up with a GUI. What a ripoff ;)
nrg2iso is a classic example, as is mp3split.. of the linux philosophy.. command line only.. not to mention the swiss army knife that is ffmpeg.
Suggestions for a distro for a p2-450.. I found PClinux ran really well on one, as did suse 9/10. Ubuntu is too slow.. it's bloated and seems to be going the fedora/restricted path with regards to multimedia and codecs..
Most of the linux screenshots in the desktop thread I posted ages ago were taken on a p2 400.. (I have a fair few machines of that era)
We should start a linux only desktop thread in here.. with system specs. I'm on it now.. :lol:
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Moderator
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9. March 2008 @ 23:28 |
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I see this is where they hold insomniacs anonymous gather :)
03:27 with an Earl Grey and can never sleep as per, so installing conky on one of the quad boots (i know, i know). it'd look nice for a desktop pic at least. Also trying to figure out how to get my new dinky keyboards to light up - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132131 great for typing at night but only light up in XP. Pah!, investigating..
Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. March 2008 @ 23:37
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Junior Member
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9. March 2008 @ 23:52 |
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I was doing some reading on wiki and I saw xubuntu. It is a lightweight distro that only requires 128MB of RAM. What can Xubuntu do that Ubuntu cannot? My Ubuntu download it 75% now and now you are telling me I should get something else? LOL well I'll do some more reading!
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OzMick
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10. March 2008 @ 00:04 |
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Another cool thing about not using Windows at home is that I can proudly claim "you'd have to pay me to use Windows". I'd like to be able to say "you couldn't pay me to use Windows", but hell, there are that many stooges that use it that it is hard to turn down the money they throw at you to fix it for them. Sad, but it pays some of the bills, and a good opportunity to convert people pissed off at Windows' flaws I guess.
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OzMick
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10. March 2008 @ 00:12 |
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http://store.grandtec.com/glviinkeusb.html
Been using one of these for a few years, but I think the glowy bit died the other week, was making some high frequency noises then the part where it connects just started heating up instead of making it glow. Might have to bring out my ol' faithful keyboard, hope it still works, the buttons are just right on that one.
Took a while to get used to the squishy buttons, and the letters wore off most of the keys, but being able to rinse it under hot water occasionally was kinda handy.
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Moderator
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10. March 2008 @ 00:14 |
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Mine's a USB keyboard, Just sussed it out, was messing with xmodmap and other stuff, turns out all's needed is 'xset led on' and 'xset led off'
Well pleased
Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***
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Junior Member
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10. March 2008 @ 00:15 |
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You know I think most of you guys are underestimating my old as dirt computer. I mean I am running Xp Sp2 on it and it runs fine after I tweaked it. I have seen on youtube several people with old computers running Ubuntu. Maybe your right and those guys are lucky but I have faith in my old computer and I can't wait to see how well she runs Linux. If Linux runs better than Windows than I will be a Linux guy from here on. However I do truly look froward to it because of what linux stands for. A free OS for the people by the people. If only America was like that! The whole world should be like that!!!!
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Moderator
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10. March 2008 @ 00:19 |
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Linux is indeed great on old computers, varnull has i think the record round here for the oldest computers put to practical use; 'fraid i haven't got the patience anymore for older kit, this latest one is a Core 2 Duo, up until recently my Linux machines were all P3 500's/800's. Actually i've still got my trusty old Dell GX150 as linux box, using Tinyme, it's a 1GHz with 384MB RAM
She's just started the thread in question - http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/637778
Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS-WPA2/AES ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 3node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G2 v1. *** Forum Rules ***
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. March 2008 @ 00:32
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