PabloBS
October 5th, 2009, 06:10 PM
Hello everybody:
I'm writing this thread looking for advice and sharing information about other experiences on a new linux adventure I want to begin.
I have been using Ubuntu for almost a year now (currently on Jaunty), and I have an old PC built from scratch that I want to use to surf the Web, and some light stuff, like using OpenOffice, checking mail, etc. I was lookin for light distros based on Ubuntu, since most of my experience is on it (I began with Puppy).
Anyway, the old PC is a Pentium II 450 MHz, with 256 Mbytes RAM (formerly 128 Mbytes), 2 USB ports, 1 serial port - to use with a serial port mouse (it works!), PS/2 port - for the keyboard, and 1 CD-ROM drive. I will install on it a Wi-Fi card, remove the floppy disk drive, and install a 80 Gbytes disk on it.
I was checking for the best distros, and after long considerations, I decided to install 4(!) of them at the same time: moonOS 3.0, gOS, Vector Linux, and MacPup. Most of all, because I want to try Enlightment desktops, and eyecandy stuff. Besides, it's going to be a surfing-the-web-desktop (I have to set up an objective for this experience).
The procedure to install the four of them and get them to work without problems is what gives me most of my concerns. I will try this:
1. Installing moonOS on the first 20 Gbytes partition. Configure Swap to 512 Mbytes or 1 Gbyte. Use this partition to place GRUB.
2. Installing gOS on the second 15 Gbytes partition. Add this to the moonOS GRUB and try.
3. Installing MacPuP on the third 15 Gbytes partition. Add this to the GRUB and try it.
4. Installing Vector Linux (I must try this Slackware!) on the remaining space. Add this to the GRUB and try.
I can also look for a 19-1-20-20-20 configuration.
I will try every distro with it's own /home, because not all of them are Ubuntu based, and could be problems with only one /home.
I will love everyone to comment about this.
Also, there is the Issue on how to edit GRUB after each installation procedure. I don't want to mess up.
The serial port mouse is a concern, beacause it doesn't work out of the box in some distros. With Puppy was a piece of cake, with Xubuntu and Fluxbuntu not so much, but it worked at last. No experience with this issue with Slackware or with Enlightment desktop.
Finally, and in order to keep the "eyecandy" objective on sight, and after 4 distros succesfully installed and working, replacing the GRUB with GRUB 2 (The graphical GRUB).
Does anybody have similar experience on this?
My intention is to have an optimized-good-looking experience in this desktop. And of course, to let my experience in this written for everyone every step in the way. I want the answers of the problems I must face written for the future. I will detail the steps I will take.
I will start tomorrow. Wish me luck.
I'm writing this thread looking for advice and sharing information about other experiences on a new linux adventure I want to begin.
I have been using Ubuntu for almost a year now (currently on Jaunty), and I have an old PC built from scratch that I want to use to surf the Web, and some light stuff, like using OpenOffice, checking mail, etc. I was lookin for light distros based on Ubuntu, since most of my experience is on it (I began with Puppy).
Anyway, the old PC is a Pentium II 450 MHz, with 256 Mbytes RAM (formerly 128 Mbytes), 2 USB ports, 1 serial port - to use with a serial port mouse (it works!), PS/2 port - for the keyboard, and 1 CD-ROM drive. I will install on it a Wi-Fi card, remove the floppy disk drive, and install a 80 Gbytes disk on it.
I was checking for the best distros, and after long considerations, I decided to install 4(!) of them at the same time: moonOS 3.0, gOS, Vector Linux, and MacPup. Most of all, because I want to try Enlightment desktops, and eyecandy stuff. Besides, it's going to be a surfing-the-web-desktop (I have to set up an objective for this experience).
The procedure to install the four of them and get them to work without problems is what gives me most of my concerns. I will try this:
1. Installing moonOS on the first 20 Gbytes partition. Configure Swap to 512 Mbytes or 1 Gbyte. Use this partition to place GRUB.
2. Installing gOS on the second 15 Gbytes partition. Add this to the moonOS GRUB and try.
3. Installing MacPuP on the third 15 Gbytes partition. Add this to the GRUB and try it.
4. Installing Vector Linux (I must try this Slackware!) on the remaining space. Add this to the GRUB and try.
I can also look for a 19-1-20-20-20 configuration.
I will try every distro with it's own /home, because not all of them are Ubuntu based, and could be problems with only one /home.
I will love everyone to comment about this.
Also, there is the Issue on how to edit GRUB after each installation procedure. I don't want to mess up.
The serial port mouse is a concern, beacause it doesn't work out of the box in some distros. With Puppy was a piece of cake, with Xubuntu and Fluxbuntu not so much, but it worked at last. No experience with this issue with Slackware or with Enlightment desktop.
Finally, and in order to keep the "eyecandy" objective on sight, and after 4 distros succesfully installed and working, replacing the GRUB with GRUB 2 (The graphical GRUB).
Does anybody have similar experience on this?
My intention is to have an optimized-good-looking experience in this desktop. And of course, to let my experience in this written for everyone every step in the way. I want the answers of the problems I must face written for the future. I will detail the steps I will take.
I will start tomorrow. Wish me luck.