An OS that doesn't require activation (was:...XP...)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Windows 98 Annoyances Discussion Forum
Posted by gewg_
(4444 messages posted)
Alan wrote:
|Guess I should have said:
|I would appreciate you suggesting one or two versions of Linux for me to try.
|The dummy versions :-))
Why does no one mention how much horsepower he has? 8-(
How much RAM you have matters (especially assuming Win9x-era hardware).
With at least 256MB:
Linux Mint is the Cadillac.
It comes with all the proprietary crap--even some that Windoze doesn't include:
(That's a BIG plus--especially for those with limited bandwidth.)
cache
of http://sheehantu.wordpress.com/category/tips
The default version of Mint uses the Gnome desktop.
A lot of (former) Windoze users prefer the K Desktop Environment.
Mint does also have a KDE spin for those folks. (Again: 256MB)
With at least 128MB:
Mint also has a spin that uses the Xfce desktop.
Mint also has a more sparce, less graphical spin using the Fluxbox desktop.
I want the first spin of Mint using the Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment
to come out NOW, but McLovin is having post-partum health problems
and there have been delays with that.
This one should fit in between the Xfce spin and the Fluxbox spin.
I fully expect the LXDE spin of Linux Mint to be the Win98 Killer.
Others:
Knoppix is legendary for its hardware support.
Puppy has a well-established rep for running on anything--even old, slow boxes.
SliTaz is an up-and-comer that's light but nice.
moonOS is another in that category.
There are a lot of ideas down a bit on this page:
http://annoyances.org/exec/forum/win98/1253042777
The DistroWatch search engine linked there is pretty great.
The individual DistroWatch page for a distro is a good place to start.
Side by side, those give a level-playing-field comparison to some extent.
NOTE: The lighter distros sometimes don't come with what I consider basics;
several don't include a mail client, so you can't test drive that.
Some don't include an offfice suite--or ANY office software.[1]
The thinking often is that this far into the 21st Century,
everybody has a fast 'Net connection. 8-(
The "package managers" of Linux distros make it a snap to get the apps you need
--but, again, it ASSuMEs a good download capacity.
[1] ...then there's Debian Linux which comes with 3 office suites.
That one is in the Ubuntu / Mint(Gnome) class for power.
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 | | |  | An OS that doesn't require activation (was:...XP...) (gewg_: Wed, Sep 16, 2009, 6:46 pm) |
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