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Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it?

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On 2013-07-01, ddwr@hotmail.com <ddwr@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I know nothing about Linux but have two old 
> computers that I would like to dabble around 
> in the OS with. One is a Pentium 4 with 1GB Ram 
> and the other is a Pentium 3 with 320 of Ram. 
> What would be the best flavor of Linux to put on them? 
> Is ubuntu-12.04.2-desktop-i386.iso out of the question 
> even for the Pentium 4? Is a version of puppy what 
> I should try first. Being a complete novice will 
> I get a good learning experience from a lighter 
> flavor of Linux such as puppy?
> Can someone point me to a good link to 
> direct download what ever they suggest I try out 
> on one or both the computers.
> Thanks in advance!

You will have no problem running 
GNU/Linux on these older machines.
The main thing to keep in mind when running
older hardware with limited memory, video etc,
is to use the /light/ Window Managers and panels. 
DO NOT use Gnome or KDE, 
they use way to many resources, 
you will most likely be unhappy with the results 
using them on your listed hardware.
Locate/download LiveCd's that have the lighter window
managers already setup so you can play with them
and familarize yourself with these lighter WM's, 
panels and associated apps. 
A small list of very light windows managers to look at:
(other than those already mentioned in this thread)
Fluxbox, Openbox, IceWM, Jwm, Pekwm, Flwm, Fvwm, 
Enlightment, WindowMaker, OroboROX
...there are many others. 
You can install and configure any of these
Windows Managers on any GNU/Linux distro you decide upon.
Once you have decided on a /mainline disto/ to start
with, educate yourself on the use of the package management
system for that distro, install and configure
the window manager that best fits your purpose.

http://xwinman.org/intro.php
http://xwinman.org/
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Window_Manager

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Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? ddwr@hotmail.com - 2013-06-30 20:27 -0700
  Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Antti Talsta <atalsta@gmail.com> - 2013-07-01 11:22 +0300
    Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? ddwr@hotmail.com - 2013-07-02 08:03 -0700
      Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? ddwr@hotmail.com - 2013-07-02 09:23 -0700
        Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2013-07-02 13:10 -0400
      Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Antti Talsta <atalsta@gmail.com> - 2013-07-03 20:10 +0300
        Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? ddwr@hotmail.com - 2013-08-04 08:57 -0700
  Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Aragorn <thorongil@telenet.be.invalid> - 2013-07-01 12:23 +0200
    Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Thad Floryan <thad@thadlabs.com> - 2013-07-01 13:46 -0700
  Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? ray carter <ray@zianet.com> - 2013-07-01 14:40 +0000
  Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Kirk_Von_Rockstein <Kirk_Von_Rockstein@nowhere.invalid> - 2013-07-01 14:46 +0000
  Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Rikishi42 <skunkworks@rikishi42.net> - 2013-07-02 00:49 +0200
  Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? notbob <notbob@nothome.com> - 2013-07-02 01:19 +0000
    Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Aragorn <thorongil@telenet.be.invalid> - 2013-07-02 12:05 +0200
      Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? notbob <notbob@nothome.com> - 2013-07-02 10:44 +0000
        Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Marcus <usenetaccount**REMOVETHISPART**@wilsoz.com.invalid> - 2013-07-02 07:22 -0500
        Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Soupe du Jour <soupedujour2000@gmail.com> - 2013-07-02 13:01 +0000
          Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2013-07-02 10:59 -0400
            Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Soupe du Jour <soupedujour2000@gmail.com> - 2013-07-02 16:44 +0000
      Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Michael Black <et472@ncf.ca> - 2013-07-02 10:48 -0400
  Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? ddwr@hotmail.com - 2013-08-04 08:57 -0700
    Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? Bobbie Sellers <bliss-sf4ever@dslextreme.com> - 2013-08-04 13:59 -0700
      Re: Best Linux flavor and version number for an old PC with either a Pentium 3 or 4 in it? ddwr@hotmail.com - 2013-08-06 08:17 -0700

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