New Project: Farewell to MicroSoft?

[Zac Medley]

I went online at my apartment with a neatly wired network to a router which connects to cable broadband. I hooked up 2 PCs and a PS2 and spent less than $150. Thanks Esconder and myrmaad for the support.

To celebrate my success I have in mind a project to see if it is possible to build a unit entirely from surplus and clearance items, and uses totally FREE software, that can do simple web browsing and HTML editing etc.

I'll probably start with an IMB Netvista 6792-UN6 and go from there on hardware. It's basic but cheap.

The big issue is what on earth Linux distribution would be a good starting point. It looks like there are hundreds. I downloaded a Mandriva Linux CD .iso but didn't get it to boot yet.

Anybody got any suggestions on Linux? It's a whole new world out there.

[EscondeR]

Download Mandriva One 2007 Spring (http://www.mandriva.com/en/download/mandrivaone) ISO image, burn, boot, install :)

[Zac Medley]

Download Mandriva One 2007 Spring (http://www.mandriva.com/en/download/mandrivaone) ISO image, burn, boot, install :)

I tried that and it got as far as the first Mandriva page header then rebooted. It would go on cycling like that forever if I let it. I was testing the CD on a PIII system [CM33-TL MoBo; VIA C3 1.0G processor; 256 MB RAM].

[EscondeR]

Is your system now totally "bare"? I need more detailed specs.

Try BeatriX Linux (http://download.watsky.net/BeatrIX_2005.1F.iso) then - small and fast :tmb:

[Chug a Bug]

I'd recommend Ubuntu. Download the ISO (about 700mb, fits on a CD) and burn it. Then boot it as a "Live" CD so you can try it out, make sure everything works ok and if you're happy you can copy it to the HDD. Ubuntu is very popular and one of the easiest to get started with if you're new to Linux.

Instructions. (http://www.howtoforge.com/the_perfect_desktop_ubuntu6.10)

[dannyb37]

ubuntu is a easy to use distribution, although that being said, its not right for everyone...

Good luck with your project! :)

[EscondeR]

I'd recommend Ubuntu.

:wve: BeatriX uses Ubuntu type kernel, BTW.

[Zac Medley]

Well I tried the Mandriva 2007.1 CD in a different unit and it worked....

....OK, I'm hooked. :tmb:

:ton: MicroSoft :ton:

[EscondeR]

Good news :tmb:
If you have a compatible descent video board, you can even try the 3D interface in Mandriva :)

[MUN33B]

I'm not sure if its an OS you're looking for but I did read about this great 1- KDE 4.0 BETA 2. You can get KDE 3.xx [x stands for number].

http://www.kde.org/announcements/announce-4.0-beta2.php

[EscondeR]

KDE - is just desktop environment, optional part of an OS. The one which creates and maintains GUI in POSIX systems.

[MUN33B]

KDE - is just desktop environment, optional part of an OS. The one which creates and maintains GUI in POSIX systems.

Oh sorry :o