Recommendations 3235

Most recent Linux distros (like most recent Doze) require at least 128 MB RAM just to run the GUI installer tool. I know some (like SuSE) can install in 96 MB RAM using the textmode installer tool, but it isn't a cakewalk, especially for somebody used to Doze handholding.

Even installed, 96 MB RAM Linux "standard" desktops (like KDE and also again like Doze) will feel very sluggish. I run as little as 32 MB RAM for SuSE 9.0, but it takes a KDE desktop 5 minutes just to load. Again this isn't going to meet typical Doze expectations. But on Linux I can choose a much lighter GUI desktop (like olwm), and it's OK (to me).

I wouldn't use older EOL Linux distros *if* you plan on public network stuff. Unsupported very old Linux isn't too hard to crack when exposed willy-nilly for any length of time to the internet.

Don't be hasty; what if you cannot stand Linux after investing all the time in cluttering up your diskdrive with it? I'd suggest rethinking a CD-based distro like Knoppix for a testdrive first, without taking the Knoppix disk install *option*, unless you feel Linux is worthwhile.

In addition to this disk install option, Knoppix gets (generally) good reviews about device-peripheral autodetection and setup. I'd really do myself a favor and see what Linux "feels" like on this first, before I decided I wanted to spend the rest of my life with it. :)

-- Regards, Weird (Harold Stevens) * IMPORTANT EMAIL INFO FOLLOWS * Pardon any bogus email addresses (wookie) in place for spambots. Really, it's (wyrd) at airmail, dotted with net. DO NOT SPAM IT. Kids jumping ship? Looking to hire an old-school type? Email me.