Linux and windows XP support

Just thought I'd let everyone know that I have done IRC tech support for Fedora and Ubuntu Linux, and I have fixed a lot of problems with windows XP. As a matter of fact, my older brother that works at a computer shop calls me a lot to ask me if I know anything about a problem he has run into.

Oh, and I successfully "upgraded" an HP laptop from Vista to XP.

I love technology http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[KU0DM]

That's great!

I am new with Ubuntu and can't break away from Windows procedures!

[k4avl]

I'm also a good source if you have any questions about Linux, I've played with it for 8 years. My main area of interest is multimedia. I also know how to get Windows apps to run using WINE, etc. I don't use ham apps on Linux yet though, just XP.
I'm good at Debian systems, (which includes MEPIS, kubuntu, ubuntu & others), but haven't used ubuntu as I have been very pleased with MEPIS on 3 machines, and a long running Debian install on another.
I think there are quite a few knowledgeable Linux users here, so if anyone takes the plunge, there will be a lot of help.

[N0NB]

The first thing that anyone considering a Linux distribution should be aware of is that it is its own system with its own methods for doing things. #It is not, I repeat, IS NOT a drop-in replacement for any other operating system although it shares much philosophy with classic UNIX systems.

I first installed Slackware 3.0 in September of 1996 and about a month later replaced that install with Slackware '96. #That install stayed on my desktop 486 machine until January 2000 when some Y2K bug in the older version of Sendmail kept it from sending mail. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #I had installed Debian on a Thinkpad 760ED in September of '99, so that following January the Slackware was replaced by Debian and I've used Debian as my standard install ever since.

I made the commitment to using a Linux based system as my full-time system right at ten years ago in January 1998. #It was quite a different experience and I saw to it that I did not dual boot into Windows '95 unless absolutely necessary. #I soon found that it wasn't necessary to boot into Windows very often. #As a result I'm pretty much Windows illiterate these days. #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Ten years ago the power and ability of today's Linux desktop powered by KDE was only a dream. The future looks incredible.

[ve3sre]

I'm typing this message using what's probably the hottest selling new mobile computer in the world today...and no it's not an Apple...or an iAnything...it's the new Linux-powered EeePC from Asus!

Like most folks...started out in the DOS/Windows world but started playing with Linux maybe eight years ago on a spare machine...and within a few years switched my home machines over to Linux...only keep one old box running Win2K for ham radio contest logging.

So...Windows at work...Linux at home.

I run Mandriva on my notebook...but Debian-based distros everywhere else...including the EeePC because it runs Xandros...which is Debian-based...may switch it to Xubuntu for the EeePC once they work a few more bugs out.

73

[WA9SVD]

Great!

How do I upgrade a V-30 NEC laptop with 640 kB and two floppies to run VISTA? I'll eventually want to upgrade it to XP Pro, of course!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif


On a more serious note, what would be a good LINUX to install on a dedicated K6-2/350 or 450 MHz, 128 or 256 MB, CD-ROM and at least several (3.2-40) GB hard drive? I've "inherited" enough "cast-offs" to put together 2 or 3 beasts, and would like to dabble in a LINUX box, without having to tie up a machine currently in actual use.

[KE5SCY]

for some reason it shows that this thread was posted by Guest, when it was actually by me, KE5SCY.

Oh and check out puppy linux to start with. Runs fast on slow comps, and great for beginners.

[k3wrv]

SVD-

I like Fedora Core 4 on slower machines (P-2-400, K-2-300 with 6 to 13 Gig hard drives), but I'd definitely recommend 256 Megs of RAM, tho it will run with 128 MB. Tried booting Ubuntu off a CD in the K-2-300 and it took forever to boot, but then it's not real fast on a P-4-4 gig box booting off the CD either.

[EDIT] Boot times on the K-2 were about the same as Win 98.

[dj1yfk]

Quote[/b] (WA9SVD @ Jan. 20 2008,02:41)]On a more serious note, what would be a good LINUX to install on a dedicated K6-2/350 or 450 MHz, 128 or 256 MB, CD-ROM and at least several (3.2-40) GB hard drive? I've "inherited" enough "cast-offs" to put together 2 or 3 beasts, and would like to dabble in a LINUX box, without having to tie up a machine currently in actual use.
Which distro you use doesn't matter too much, it's a matter of taste. It's more important to use a lightweight window manager (such as IceWM or Fluxbox) and avoid to run lots unnecessary services. My personal preference is Debian (http://www.debian.org/), because it just doesn't get into my way. I would not recommend any of the non-mainstream distros to beginners, since they often lack support, have poor package availability and documentation.

By the way, what you describe there is pretty much the configuration I am using at our club station (500MHz, 128MB RAM, Debian, IceWM). It's mostly used for logging and the odd digimode QSO (with gmfsk or fldigi). Contrary to Win2k, which is also available via dual boot, Linux is very fast and responsive on this outdated machine.

[AC0H]

Ya wanna REALLY learn linux?

Linux From Scratch (http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/)

Everybody ought to do it at least once.

[ve3sre]

Distros that use the XFCE desktop can do the trick on computers that are older and perhaps have low RAM. The XFCE desktop is a bit of a compromise between the "heavy" KDE and Gnome...and the very lightweight Fluxbox and Icewm desktops.

So you might want to look at distros like "Xubuntu" and/or the XFCE version of "Linux Mint"...both are Debian-based and so you have easy access to all the "goodies" that are in the rich Debian software repositories.

The beauty of the GNU/Linux world is that you can usually find a distro that will fit just about any vintage machine.

And...to DJ1YFK...I still have to try out your contest log programme...but I'd like to thank you in advance...because you just might have totally eliminated any need for me to have a spare Windows box in my shack!