New Ubuntu User?

[LaRoza]

The title is not referring to me, but someone else.

This morning, I was asked to look at someones computer, that they just received, because Windows was not booting. I happen to know that the computer is running Windows 98, because he got the computer from someone I know. He told me he was not going to use it for anything other than Word processing, no internet or anything.

Looks like I found the perfect candidate for a Ubuntu 'convert'. He won't even need a hard disk for his requirement!

-note I am bringing a bunch of distros with me, including Ubuntu 6.06 and Ubuntu 7.04. Would the typical computer that came with Windows 98 be able to use Feisty? I was thinking Dapper would be better.

[AndyCooll]

Depends on the speed of the machine. It will probably run, however if it has anything less than 256mb RAM (for instance) it will be quite slow. You could offset this by using Xubuntu, Fluxbuntu, Icebuntu or one of the other derivatives using lighter DE's.

I have a PIII 700mb, 192mb RAM laptop running Ubuntu. It runs fine, fairly slow, but fine. I should also mention at this point that it needed the Alternative CD to install (it can't handle the Ubuntu Live CD, too much memory required)

:cool:

[ThinkBuntu]

Give him PCLOS. If he does well with that, then introduce him to the Debian distros, and who knows how far he'll progress. Just my advice.

EDIT: Oops, PCLOS and Ubuntu will both struggle on that machine. I recommend SAM or a similar Xfce-based distro. Zenwalk may be a little tough to drop on a new user, although it does make a great impression.

[LaRoza]

Since he just want to do Word processing, I figured using Ubuntu would be easy, just make a launcher for him.

How would Dapper run, as compared with Feisty? I must admit, I am too young to remember Windows 9x.

-edit I thought I posted this in the Community Cafe, I didn't mean to put it here.

[ThinkBuntu]

Since he just want to do Word processing, I figured using Ubuntu would be easy, just make a launcher for him.

How would Dapper run, as compared with Feisty? I must admit, I am too young to remember Windows 9x.

-edit I thought I posted this in the Community Cafe, I didn't mean to put it here.
If he just wants word processing, and doesn't need to deal with wireless connections, I recommend Zenwalk. Wireless can be a trip in it, but OpenOffice and Abiword both perform marvelously, as does GIMP, etc.

[LaRoza]

I am now downloading Zenwalk Live, if it works, I'll install Zenwalk. Thanks for the help!

[ThinkBuntu]

I am now downloading Zenwalk Live, if it works, I'll install Zenwalk. Thanks for the help!
Keep in mind that Zenlive is version 4.4.1 while the latest release (just came out a week ago) is 4.6. As far as trying it out on a Live CD, the two are pretty much identical. But if you install it, make sure to use th 4.6 version.

[LaRoza]

Thanks, am downloading at this moment :D, I did the Live cd an hour ago, I am in school.


At:
http://www.zenwalk.org/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=1
most of the mirrors didn't work, I randomly tried them until one worked.

zenwalk-4.6.1 is the one I am getting.

How does zenwalk work with printers?

[ThinkBuntu]

Thanks, am downloading at this moment :D, I did the Live cd an hour ago, I am in school.


At:
http://www.zenwalk.org/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=1
most of the mirrors didn't work, I randomly tried them until one worked.

zenwalk-4.6.1 is the one I am getting.

How does zenwalk work with printers?
Can't say. It uses CUPS, and Gimp Print, so you should be fine. Strangely, I print very rarely, but both times I've used Linux with my little HP happened when using PCLOS, although they were over a month apart and with many distros inbetween. Printer compatibility is pretty easy with most distros these days, though.

[LaRoza]

It is a simple, cheap printer, so I should be fine.

I just found out that it is not Windows 98, but 2000 Pro. I also heard, when it did work, it was extremely slow. How fast is Zenwalk? Assume 128 MB of RAM and using OpenOffice.org Writer.

[ThinkBuntu]

It is a simple, cheap printer, so I should be fine.

I just found out that it is not Windows 98, but 2000 Pro. I also heard, when it did work, it was extremely slow. How fast is Zenwalk? Assume 128 MB of RAM and using OpenOffice.org Writer.

You'll be fine with that. It ran snappily on an 800MHz 128MB RAM T21 ThinkPad I tested.

[LaRoza]

Still downloading...but it is always worth it.

I might end up installing zenwalk on my computer, if I like it.