What a coincidence. Just last week I bought a new, off-lease, IBM 2.2Ghz, 40Gb hdd, with Xp installed (and the COA, so I think it’s legal…) for $229. So with my old, 450Mhz, 328Mb Ram, 6Gb hdd, Presario, I started experimenting with Linux. It’s cute how the dog barks when you boot up PuppyLinux. But the big thing is how it works so well. I was able to go online, access my Cdrom, floppy, and even my Xp machine which is now on a network (I got highspeed DSL too, 4-5Mbps for $19/mo) as they’re all connected through a router which also does Voip ($10/mo).

PuppyLinux has some very nice setup programs, the “Wizards”. It helped me get the network connection going.

Damn Small Linux was a little more to my liking, although I couldn’t find a way to install it to the hdd and get it to save changes at the same time. DSL installed and worked completely without any configuration! Linux for the desktop has really come a long way since I tried Debian about 5 years ago.

However, my Ubuntu disks arrived in the mail (they didn’t even charge for shipping) and I wiped the whole hd clean and installed it. Works pretty good considering my old computer has a processor which is a little below their system requirements. Ubuntu has got to be the best Linux desktop distro I’ve ever seen. No configuration required and it looks really classy too. Flash is a little buggy, but I can do everything else online, even streaming audio and video.

I’m writing this on Ubuntu (Xubuntu, actually). I would have tried out Freespire, since you recommended it, but I don’t think it will fit on a half a 6Gb hdd.

PuppyLinux was pretty impressive though, especially considering it’s under 100mb.

Hi Tim,
I am glad to hear that you are experimenting with Linux. And yes, unbuntu/kubuntu are great distro’s. And you can’t beat free shipping as well.

About mid-year unbuntu/kubuntu will start offering Click-N-Run from Linspire, also the makers of Freespire.
It will blow you away my friend.

Picture this. You walk into a supermarket of thousands and thousands of software titles. You throw as many as you want into your shopping cart. When you reach the check out counter the clerk automatically installs the software for you. You are then handed a receipt and your grand total is $0.

You try the software and don’t like it. No problem, it will auto uninstall for you as well.

Later, Ron

PS .5g isn’t big enough for Freespire.

PSS If you get real serious about using Linux and need expert help, go see Bruno over at: http://forums.scotsnewsletter.com/
Check out the Linux forum where he and the other resident experts hang out. These people offer super help tips and never hassle a new user.

Ron,

I have a Compaq laptop with a Pentium CPU, a 1 GB HD, CD ROM, no USB, which runs W95 great, but I would like to run Linux on it, I have a blank HD, but no drivers for Linux for the CDR and the other hardware. So, I was wondering if the Puppy Linux would be a good version to install on this machine. I hate to see it just gather dust, but it just won’t support the BLOATED WINDOZE OS anymore.

Thanks!
pcwiz…

hello pcwiz,
Another option is to give Xubuntu a try as well. The Ubuntu family of Linux has driver support for many older systems such as yours.
Let us know if either works for you.
All the best, Ron

PS I’d run the live CD for Puppy Linux first to see how it works before installing it to HD.

Hi Ron,

Hey, thanks for the live CD idea…makes a lot of sense, and I will look at Ubuntu now, didn’t think they would support the older systems, all I hear about is how they have a super Desktop, with gee-wizz displays…that my older hw just won’t support…the 3D stuff…that is…

I will keep you informed as this plays out…

Cheers!
pcwiz…

Hi pcwiz,
You are welcome.
Ron

voip system…

Hmm, interesting !…