[hemang_jesrani]

Hello all,
I need help in selecting a Linux distribution for one computer on my office network. I have never worked on Linux before and want to try and see if it is suitable that it can replace Win98.

My requirments are as under:
1) The computer I want to put Linux is either a P2, 333MHZ, 128SD RAM OR a P3, 450MHz, 128SD RAM. Which should I choose?
2) The computer is connected to other computers on a peer-peer network. All other computers are either Win98SE or WinXP. Can it access this network?
3) At present (with Win98SE), my documents folder is shared with a password. This is accessed by another computer (with XP) and the data is backed up to an external HDD. For this I have mapped the shared folder as a Network drive (with Full access password) on the XP machine and am doing the backup. I need the full access option so that the archive attribute can be ticked/unticked by the backup software.
4) The computer will need a office suite (OOo 2.0?), Email client (Thunderbird)
5) If I do ICS on the XP computer, this computer should have the access. Then I also need an antivirus (?).

Is there any Linux distro which can do this. My reason for thinking to switch is that I have heard Linux is more stable and runs better on slower machines.

If this works I can slowly switch all computers with Win98SE to Linux. Then I would think about the XP xomputer later.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi hemang_jesrani,

Most Linux distributions recommend 256MB RAM with a minimum of 64MB. Here is a link to Debian as an example: http://www.debian.org/releases/stabl...h03s04.html.en

There are small distributions of Linux like Damn Small Linux (DSL), or Puppy Linux that you could try.

My advice is to start out at Wikipedia's Linux page and as you learn more about how to decide, the options you have that best serve your interests will become clearer to you.

You could start out by downloading a Live CD from here and giving it a try without installing it.

-- Tom

[tomdkat]

Xubuntu maybe?

How much disk space will these machines have?

Peace...

[Uth233]

Since you state that "i have never worked on Linux" May I recommend PC Linux OS you can find it here: http://www.pclinuxos.com/
This is an ideal distro for Linux 1st timers, Flash & java is already done for you.
It has a KDE UI by default that is not too much different from the Windows that you're used to. Also the community there does not assume you already know Linux & are very friendly. One more item there's PCLOS Magazine on online magazine that has articles on how to use PCLOS.

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by Uth233

Since you state that "i have never worked on Linux" May I recommend PC Linux OS you can find it here: http://www.pclinuxos.com/
This is an ideal distro for Linux 1st timers, Flash & java is already done for you.
It has a KDE UI by default that is not too much different from the Windows that you're used to. Also the community there does not assume you already know Linux & are very friendly. One more item there's PCLOS Magazine on online magazine that has articles on how to use PCLOS.

Ditto

[hemang_jesrani]

Disk space is about 40Gb in each computer. Thanks for all the suggestions. But I want to know from your experience, if the things I have listed out will work. Can it commounicate with Win98SE computers, can the folders be password protected etc.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi hemang_jesrani,

I would choose the faster P3, but I would also add memory - probably at least another 128MB of the same SDRAM if you can still get it, or replace with newer.

I would also advise installing Samba: SMB Server for Linux that allows a Linux machine to connect and share files with a Windows machine and/or Windows-based network.

See here for configuration information.

I would use the Synaptic Package Manager (if available) in the Linux release to integrate samba.

-- Tom

[tomdkat]

I also second going with the PIII machine and adding RAM, if possible. Given the age of these machines, finding compatible RAM at a decent price might be a "challenge".

I think everything on your list can be covered by just about any Linux distribution, with the amount of RAM you have being the main issue. That's why I suggested Xubuntu since it's apparently designed to run on machines without a lot of RAM while providing a full GUI experience.

It will take some time and effort to get everything setup the way you want but what you want to do should be possible and achievable.

Good luck!

Peace...

[Darth Revan]

i also suggest recommend debian, slackware or some other live CD distro to try out before you install it to your harddisk.

[RootbeaR]

VectorLinux
http://forums.techguy.org/unix-linux...tor-linux.html

[hemang_jesrani]

Thanks to all those who have replied. I think I will try out Debian and Xubuntu. Probably will need more help on the way and will post in the forum.