What linux flavor should I use?

Serenity-Angel · 04-25-2008, 05:35 PM

Alright, I'm looking to put Linux on my dads relic of a computer. It must be around 10-11 years old now running 256mb of RAM and a PII 233mhz processor. I've got similar computers at school that I can test it on (I go to school for IT so there's always spare computers, just never any good ones) so any and all recommendations are welcome and appreciated. I ask that you tell me at least a little bit of why you recommend the one that you do, however, so that I can test it out more knowledgeably. Please note that while I may know my way around a bash shell and how to use Linux with ease, he has never touched it, so a slightly more user friendly flavor would be preferable. He has worked with computers before but, regrettably, only on Windows based machines.

Once again, any and all help is appreciated. Thank you.

~Serenity

shuuhen · 04-25-2008, 06:12 PM

Basically look for something with XFCE or another fast window manager. I like fluxbox myself, but it may require more knowledge of Linux for your dad (especially command line knowledge). Consider Enlightenment as a window manager. I haven't used it, but I think it's supposed to be faster than KDE or Gnome.

You could consider Xubuntu. This one uses XFCE by default, which should fairly user friendly.

Fluxbuntu looks like it might be a fairly easy to use distribution that uses fluxbox as the window manager. This could be much faster than Xubuntu (not 100% sure though). fluxbox is the window manager I usually use on any old machines.

Debian with XFCE, fluxbox or another light window manager would be a decent option. This would get around any issues with the *buntu installer. This would require more knowledge on your part for initial set up than the *buntu distros.

Slackware is supposed to run with very minimal hardware (16 MB of RAM low enough?). I haven't tried Slackware yet myself, but it with fluxbox or XFCE should be ok.

mgmz · 04-25-2008, 06:22 PM

if its like full old i'de try tiny or mini PClinuxOS that will work, but mainstream PClinuxOS migth work and for me was the easiest to configure and maintain it has an excellent control panel/center. But heaps of people use UBUNTU and that's what im using now, its heaps good and is the most user friendly that i have ever used. hope that helps

04-25-2008, 05:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Serenity-Angel Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 13 OS: Windows XP Home	What linux flavor should I use? Alright, I'm looking to put Linux on my dads relic of a computer. It must be around 10-11 years old now running 256mb of RAM and a PII 233mhz processor. I've got similar computers at school that I can test it on (I go to school for IT so there's always spare computers, just never any good ones) so any and all recommendations are welcome and appreciated. I ask that you tell me at least a little bit of why you recommend the one that you do, however, so that I can test it out more knowledgeably. Please note that while I may know my way around a bash shell and how to use Linux with ease, he has never touched it, so a slightly more user friendly flavor would be preferable. He has worked with computers before but, regrettably, only on Windows based machines. Once again, any and all help is appreciated. Thank you. ~Serenity

04-25-2008, 06:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
shuuhen Manager Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 987 OS: Mac OS 9.1, Mac OS X 10.5.8, WinXP Pro, FreeBSD 6.0, Gentoo Linux My System	Re: What linux flavor should I use? Basically look for something with XFCE or another fast window manager. I like fluxbox myself, but it may require more knowledge of Linux for your dad (especially command line knowledge). Consider Enlightenment as a window manager. I haven't used it, but I think it's supposed to be faster than KDE or Gnome. You could consider Xubuntu. This one uses XFCE by default, which should fairly user friendly. Fluxbuntu looks like it might be a fairly easy to use distribution that uses fluxbox as the window manager. This could be much faster than Xubuntu (not 100% sure though). fluxbox is the window manager I usually use on any old machines. Debian with XFCE, fluxbox or another light window manager would be a decent option. This would get around any issues with the buntu installer. This would require more knowledge on your part for initial set up than the buntu distros. Slackware is supposed to run with very minimal hardware (16 MB of RAM low enough?). I haven't tried Slackware yet myself, but it with fluxbox or XFCE should be ok. __________________ Has it been a few days since I replied to your thread? Don't panic! I'm a busy college student and may forget a post if I'm extra busy (or it might just take me a while to be able to do a decent reply). If you still need help and are awaiting my reply after a few days, PM me about it. When posting what errors you get, please give the full message. It makes helping you much easier.

04-25-2008, 06:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
mgmz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 9 OS: Linux - UBUNTU	Re: What linux flavor should I use? if its like full old i'de try tiny or mini PClinuxOS that will work, but mainstream PClinuxOS migth work and for me was the easiest to configure and maintain it has an excellent control panel/center. But heaps of people use UBUNTU and that's what im using now, its heaps good and is the most user friendly that i have ever used. hope that helps