Best Distro/Window Manager for my situation

[coreyxjessica]

I want to start using my main operating systems in virtual box or vmware. I would like to have the lowest amount of performance lost and I would like to know what distro or window manager would allow me to do so? I know the box window managers like openbox or fluxbox are lightweight. Any suggestions are appreciated. :)

[RiceMonster]

Try Arch + Openbox. Nice, lightweight and fast. :)

[kpkeerthi]

+1 for Arch + openbox

You may also want to look at Crunchbang (http://crunchbang.org/projects/linux/)
CrunchBang Linux is an Ubuntu based distribution featuring the lightweight Openbox window manager and GTK+ applications. The distribution has been built and customised from a minimal Ubuntu install. The distribution has been designed to offer a good balance of speed and functionality. CrunchBang Linux is currently available as a LiveCD; however, best performance is achieved by installing

[tel93]

You may also want to look at Crunchbang (http://crunchbang.org/projects/linux/)
If it's performance that you're looking for, that's not a good idea.

[mips]

I want to start using my main operating systems in virtual box or vmware.

I do not really follow this. Usually one install the main OS on the HD and other OSs in a VM.

So do you want to run say Ubuntu as your main OS and then run it again in a VM on the same machine? So what are you going to run the VM on and what are you going to install in the VM?

[snowpine]

If it's performance that you're looking for, that's not a good idea.

Can you clarify this statement a bit? Why is it not a good idea? I use Crunchbang and find it quite a bit quicker than Ubuntu or Xubuntu.

To answer the OP, I enjoy using both Crunchbang and Fluxbuntu in my VM's. They both run very well in 96-128mb of ram VM's. I even have a "vanilla" Ubuntu VM that comes in handy when I'm trying to answer people's questions here on the forums. :)

[coreyxjessica]

I do not really follow this. Usually one install the main OS on the HD and other OSs in a VM.

So do you want to run say Ubuntu as your main OS and then run it again in a VM on the same machine? So what are you going to run the VM on and what are you going to install in the VM?
This isn't rocket science, but I'll slow it down for the slower kids. :) I want a lightweight linux distro, so I can use my day to day OS in virtual box or vmware. This would allow me to save my current state and all that fun stuff.

[snowpine]

How much RAM do you have?

[basenvironment]

1.4 MiB + 695.5 KiB = 2.1 MiB icewm

[Pogeymanz]

This isn't rocket science, but I'll slow it down for the slower kids. :) I want a lightweight linux distro, so I can use my day to day OS in virtual box or vmware. This would allow me to save my current state and all that fun stuff.

That was a little rude, buddy. Keep it in check, please.

Arch is amazingly light. But if this is your first or second time installing Linux, it is not recommended. It's not hard, but it might be a little too much for a total newbie.

Again, Openbox is very slim and easy to configure. Arch+Openbox should run well in a virtual machine.

It still seems weird that you want your day-to-day OS in a virtual machine. What OS are you running the virtual machine from? And why don't you dual boot instead?

[tuxxy]

Xubuntu

[mips]

This isn't rocket science, but I'll slow it down for the slower kids. :) I want a lightweight linux distro, so I can use my day to day OS in virtual box or vmware. This would allow me to save my current state and all that fun stuff.

*makes mental note to add user to forum ignore list*

[coreyxjessica]

That was a little rude, buddy. Keep it in check, please.

Arch is amazingly light. But if this is your first or second time installing Linux, it is not recommended. It's not hard, but it might be a little too much for a total newbie.

Again, Openbox is very slim and easy to configure. Arch+Openbox should run well in a virtual machine.

It still seems weird that you want your day-to-day OS in a virtual machine. What OS are you running the virtual machine from? And why don't you dual boot instead?
Because virtual machines, with their save state option, allow you to test software freely in your day to day machine. It also makes back ups easier and it makes the day-to-day OS portable.

[basenvironment]

This isn't rocket science, but I'll slow it down for the slower kids. :)
too funny...nothing rude about it. One person does not comprehend something as quick as another, and vice versa. Not to mention that your explanation was a bit lacking to be clear about EXACTLY what you wanted to do.

A distro/wm is as light as you make it. I don't think my debian/icewm system at startup uses even 32mb. That being said it is a 'manual' not a 'automatic' system even though I have scripted/enabled everything I want automated.

[init1]

I'm using Debian and TWM. Can't get much lighter.

[cardinals_fan]

NetBSD + dwm = WIN

[rok3]

Arch + Openbox FTW! :)

[cardinals_fan]

It was clear enough for the other members of this forum. I can't help it if the little tard can't keep up. :)
I know that you're kidding, but that could come across as deeply offensive if read differently.

[coreyxjessica]

I know that you're kidding, but that could come across as deeply offensive if read differently.
Alright I'll cool it, sorry I'm a very sarcastic person and can be a bit of an ******* lol.

[mikjp]

- - I'm a very sarcastic person and can be a bit of an ******* lol.

"Sarcastic. Someone who is sarcastic uses words to mean the opposite of what they seem to day in order to mock or insult someone." (Collins Cobuild English Dictionary)

[coreyxjessica]

"Sarcastic. Someone who is sarcastic uses words to mean the opposite of what they seem to day in order to mock or insult someone." (Collins Cobuild English Dictionary)
Yeah, I know that. I was just describing how I naturally am in real life. I never once said that that description of myself was in regards to what I have said previously in this thread, but I'm sure a genius like you caught that. :)

[zmjjmz]

What Virtual Machine program thingimajigger are you going to be using?
Because, what you _could_ do is get Arch, install plain ole' X, then start VirtualBox and X, but not a WM.
You can then run your OS in "seamless mode" so that you can have access to both OS's at the same time.

Oh, and how much RAM _do_ you have?

[coreyxjessica]

What Virtual Machine program thingimajigger are you going to be using?
Because, what you _could_ do is get Arch, install plain ole' X, then start VirtualBox and X, but not a WM.
You can then run your OS in "seamless mode" so that you can have access to both OS's at the same time.

Oh, and how much RAM _do_ you have?
I have 1GB of RAM and I'd be using VirtualBox most likely. I never thought of that, thanks.

[billgoldberg]

I want to start using my main operating systems in virtual box or vmware. I would like to have the lowest amount of performance lost and I would like to know what distro or window manager would allow me to do so? I know the box window managers like openbox or fluxbox are lightweight. Any suggestions are appreciated. :)

Install the Ubuntu, remove unneeded things and add fluxbox.

If you have trouble using fluxbox, I point you to my guide in my signature.

Also, when on fluxbox I can suggest pcmanfm as a file manager (use the one from getdeb), mirage as an image viewer, and mpd/mpc/sonata as a music player.

They don't come more lightweight than that.

[zmjjmz]

If you have trouble using fluxbox

Then you need mental help.