Experimental Computer!

[AnLGP]

Slitaz

http://slitaz.org/en/

* Root filesystem taking about 80 MB and ISO image less than 30 MB.

[lukjad]

Puppy Linux is a nice distro and it would definitely work well on that machine.

+1
Try TEENpup though that may be a bit much.

[lswb]

If you're springing for a new monitor, think about spending a little more and getting some more ram. By way of comparison, I have an old thinkpad 600E with a Pentium 2/366 and 288 MB ram (maxed out unfortunately). It runs dapper with the regular gnome desktop OK (slow/choppy flash playback but video is otherwise OK) IIRC it ran hardy from the live CD too but took a long time to start.

If your celeron system can take 512MB it should run most any distro, don't look for it be be a speed demon of course.

[Toshibawarrior]

If you're springing for a new monitor, think about spending a little more and getting some more ram. By way of comparison, I have an old thinkpad 600E with a Pentium 2/366 and 288 MB ram (maxed out unfortunately). It runs dapper with the regular gnome desktop OK (slow/choppy flash playback but video is otherwise OK) IIRC it ran hardy from the live CD too but took a long time to start.

If your celeron system can take 512MB it should run most any distro, don't look for it be be a speed demon of course.

Oh yes, of course. I just want it to be a hit'n'run kind of PC...just to experiment with programs, apps and compilations that might be dangerous to my precious filessystem on my laptop...I'm gonna try and buy more RAM and let it run Ubuntu (and Puppy Linux from a USB drive) just to test out things that I normally wouldn't on my lappy

[Vivaldi Gloria]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=575456

[Vivaldi Gloria]

... or you could install the server (CLI-only) version, and then install a lightweight window manager on top.

There are three different versions of CLI-only versions of ubuntu:

(1) The alternative desktop cd with the F4 option (install CLI system)

(2) Minimal CD available from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...tion/MinimalCD

(3) Server CD


As far as I can see (1) and (2) install exactly the same basic ubuntu CLI version. I really like this version. It has no server stuff. Useful as a base system for a custom system build. For example install openbox. Or just use it as is. Good for old boxes. I use one in an old computer to practice bash and listen to music using moc. The install of (2) takes longer than (1) because it downloads everyting from the net. So use (2) if you have a decent connection.

(3) contains server programs. Don't install this unless you are making a server. Having non-used server programs on a destop computer is bad on 3 accounts: a) Takes space b) Updates take more time & bandwidth c) security: no point in programs which listens to ports.


On a side note, also look at TinyMe:

http://tinyme.mypclinuxos.com/

[CatKiller]

There are three different versions of CLI-only versions of ubuntu

That's a good point. The only time I did that kind of install was quite a long time ago, when the Alternate CLI install and the server install were the same thing.

Good catch!

[Vivaldi Gloria]

Good catch!

Thanks mate.

Actually, there is a fourth one i didn't mention: ubuntu Jeos available from

http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whati...eredition/jeos

This is a very light version which has hardly any drivers on it. So do NOT install it in a computer because it won't recognize your hardware. This version is supposed to be run in a virtual sytem like vmware, virtualbox, etc. "This combination of reduced size and optimised performance ensures that Ubuntu JeOS Edition delivers a highly efficient use of server resources in large virtual deployments."

[VMC]

Slitaz

http://slitaz.org/en/

* Root filesystem taking about 80 MB and ISO image less than 30 MB.

I remember seeing this on Distrowatch and it had garnered positive many comments.

I would like to use this on my old Compaq Amanda laptop, but can't. The fan needs software control the BIOS doesn't control it like my desktop. Also sound was a big issue with that laptop.