Re: Which Linux distros would be best for me?

Walterius wrote:
When I ask which would be best, I mean: ease of learning, community support
and newsgroups, and availability of good, simple books.

I am retired from 20 years of aerospace software development. I live on a
small fixed income. I have used Windows since 3.11 and Office since O97, and
a myriad of other OS's and computers before that. I was a CAX systems
programmer for years.

I like to learn from newsgroups and books. This is, however, my first post
to any Linux ng.

I want to add one or more Linux systems to my multi-boot Windows
2000/Windows ME systems.

My goal is to Linux and OpenOffice and not need Windows or Microsoft Office.
As a retiree, I can no longer afford to keep chasing after Windows (DOS
4.01, DOS 6.22, Windows 3.11, 95, 98, 98SE, WME, W2K) and Office (97, 2000,
XP). I also have a suspicion that Vista and O2007 would overload my Athlon
2000+, its 512 MB RAM, and 120 GB HDDs.

I have read that Linux can run on as little as a 286, and can prolong the
life of many an elderly computer?

I have been downloading and testing open source software for a few years
now, and it appears the open source community is close to producing the
tools I need, specifically an OS, office suite, tons of graphics tools, and
some good books.

I use BellSouth DSL. I don't know if they support Linux, but I don't think
so. A search of their Help site turned up no reference to Linux. I sent them
email asking for clarification. If they don't support it, I will eventually
switch to another ISP.

My greatest fear is learning a bunch of semi-meaningless Linux commands a la
DOS or Unix. Best for me would be something that closely resembles
Plug-n-Pray.

I also have a non-standard mobo that uses a special drivers CD (Mainboard XP
support V8.128--IDE drivers, VGA drivers, sound drivers, fax/modem drivers,
LAN drivers, USB 2.0 drivers). I tremble at the thought of not being able to
use my various peripherals, although I am willing to get another mobo/CPU
combination if absolutely necessary.

Thank you for your help, and I apologize for my lengthy post. (Future posts
will be shorter. :)) But I wanted to give you as much helpful information as
possible.

Walter Donavan



Hi Walter!

This site might help you,Page down.


http://www.homedistro.com/

Grampa




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