Re: Newbie 2B

From: Robert Coates (nospamrobert3302_at_freecomcast.net)
Date: 09/20/05 

Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2005 22:21:26 -0500

"Kenneth" <jjjkkklll@cox.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.09.18.19.13.37.280186@cox.net...
> On Sun, 18 Sep 2005 09:10:59 -0500, Robert Coates wrote:
>
> >
> > "Edward Haddock" <haddocke001@hawaii.rr.com> wrote in message
> > news:HgZWe.5429$Cg.622@tornado.socal.rr.com...
> >> Robert Coates wrote:
> >> > I have an old Packard Bell PC with an AMD K6 333mH processor and an 8
Gb
> > HDD
> >> > running Windows ME which has deteriorated to near unusability (cannot
> > view
> >> > video clips at all, frequent blue screens, etc.). A new machine is a
> >> > financial impossibility right now. I like the idea of Linux and am
> > excited
> >> > about giving it a go. My plan is to get a second HDD for the machine
I
> > have
> >> > and loading the Linux on that, and keeping the WinME on the C: drive
for
> > at
> >> > least the interim as the drive I have is over half full now.
> >> >
> >> > My Question: I have a new, never-used boxed set of Red Hat Linux 5.2
> > that I
> >> > bought several years ago when I first thought of this (I don't like
to
> > rush
> >> > into things). Would it make sense to load the 5.2 and upgrade it
after,
> > or
> >> > would I be better off downloading a current version of Fedora? Or
> > should I
> >> > buy a new boxed set, since I am new at this. I am fairly computer
> > savvy. I
> >> > work as a Help Analyst for a bank supporting their PC products, but
all
> > my
> >> > experience is in MS. I have researched Linux quite a bit on the web,
> > and I
> >> > think I can do this. Your advice is much appreciated.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> Aloha,
> >> The big thing you need to be concerned with at this point is will
it
> >> run on that hardware well enough for you to be happy. The Fedora 4
> >> Unleashed, the one I use, states minimums for it are: Pentium 200MHz,
> >> 620MB HDD and 64MB of Ram. That is for a text install though and
minimal
> >> install of components. I would recommend doing research on which
Distros
> >> run well on your system. Distro Watchis o ne website that might help. I
> >> can't remember the URL though. Also, might I suggest checking out
> >> linuxforums.org. Post your question over there after you register. They
> >> seem knowledgable and may be able to help. Hope that helped.
> >> Mahalo.
> >> Edward
> >
> > Thanks for the advice. I've pretty much given up on the 5.2 idea. I
have
> > upgraded the PC to 128mb memory, and I was thinking of 40-80 gb on the
new
> > hard drive, so I think I'll be ok. I will check out those sites you
> > recommended.
> > I am also considering putting out for a new barebones PC with an
up-to-date
> > processor and motherboard, adding peripherals I like and getting a new
Linux
> > package on CD--something easy to install like Linspire.
> > More research. This is an adventure.
> > Peace.
>
> I would recommend against Linspire if you want to really learn what
> Gnu/Linux is all about.

I realized that was dumb almost as soon as I posted it, certainly after I
checked out distrowatch. My mind is still having a hard time wrapping
itself around the idea of not having to pay big bucks for software in a
glossy box full of cardboard and air. I've been poring through the
reviews on Linux.org. Slackware or Ubuntu might be best for me and my funny
old PC. I've also been looking at Live CD versions too, but I'm pretty
committed to doing this; the "try-out" idea may be redundant.

Thanks all for the good advice.

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