> Message: 5 > Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2007 20:36:10 -0500 > From: Patrick P <parspe at hotmail.com> > Subject: [brlug-general] new Distro > To: <general at brlug.net> > Message-ID: <BAY105-W485BAE8366552959B55EFCACD0 at phx.gbl> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > I am working on a project to create a lightweight Linux workstation distro > for older hardware, mainly PII and PIII machines. The goal is a functional > desktop with easy installation and configuration. This is not a LiveCD like > damn small linux but a complete installation distro which uses IceWM for the > window manager. All of the applications from Debian stable are available post > install for those who need additional software. We could use a little help > with testing and a few details if anyone has time or wants to. > Deb-Ice is a customized Debian distribution uses apt for package management > and the 2.6 kernel. Deb-Ice simplifys the process of installing Debian on an > older machine. Currently we just have an installer which uses the Debian > repositories. Once we get to version 1.0 we will release an iso for offline > installation. The IceWM window manager is installed along with a selection of > applications for everyday use, most of which are selected for low memory > usage, although familar applications such as a Mozilla browser suite are also > included for those who would rather use them. We are working on getting > together the needed graphical configuration utilities as well. It is a > desktop workstation distribution to simple functionality and performance on > older hardware. > Basically everything is together but we need to make sure nothing important > is missing or see if anyone can think of some other applications that need to > be added. Things we need help with include: > * testing sound, printing > * Getting together some information (documentation and HowTos) about getting > these things working for the distribution. > * There are a few broken pieces of software lying around that we would like > to get included if anyone that can program in C++ or C would like to work on. > These are basically just configuration utilities which are missing. debian > packaging expertise would also be helpful here. > * We could use some prople who are good with graphics to create icons for the > menu items, which are not completed yet. > > Website is still under construction but can be found at http://icelinux.net > If you would like to help out Just send me an email if you want to help out > and then download the iso > https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=203391 >
I've had good luck running Xubuntu on an old 400mhz AMD K6 based machine. SymphonyOS and DamnSmallLinux were also designed for that. http://www.xubuntu.com http://symphonyos.com http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ There are others for smaller PCs I'm sure. There are so many Linux distros out there it's hard to keep track of them all. If you want to find out what your up against in the Linux distro world, check out http://www.distrowatch.com All I can say is if you think you can do it better than the other small PC Linuxes out there, give it a shot. -- 73, Jonathan Helis, KB5IAV Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
