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Thread ID: 103582 2009-09-28 23:07:00 Best linux distro for a newbie Peter Coleman (597) Press F1
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814874 2009-09-28 23:07:00 Hi guys'I was thinking of using an old P3 500 I have and turning it into a linux box,but as I have never before touched linux before,what do you suggest as a good starting point,and remember I'm a real newbie so I need something idiot proof.Any assistance is greatly appreciated.thanks


Peter
Peter Coleman (597)
814875 2009-09-28 23:35:00 Linux Mint (www.linuxmint.com) is one thats been mentioned a fair bit.

thread about it somewhere.

Chill will vouch for it and give you advice if you need it as will others

Ubuntu is another i've tried, fairly easy to use.

see what other peoples comments are
GameJunkie (72)
814876 2009-09-28 23:37:00 For older limited hardware Puppy linux or damn small are good starting points.
If you want to go larger then Xubuntu or PClinuxOS are two possibilities.
Most modern linux distros however perform better on higher specced
machines.
KarameaDave (15222)
814877 2009-09-28 23:39:00 PCLOS and Mepis both have really good set-ups - and their forums both very helpful to beginners. Mepis has a really good Wiki and good manual on the desktop.

Other than those two, I'd agree with GJ - Ubuntu or Mint.

For that older hardware - maybe Puppy - or Antix (Mepis base). Both have smaller footprint than the first 4 I mentioned.
Brooko (8444)
814878 2009-09-28 23:39:00 I was gonna recommend Linux Mint too, but no way it'll run on that hardware in a usable fashion, neither will Ubuntu. Puppy Linux would be a good place to start. wratterus (105)
814879 2009-09-29 00:03:00 +1 for Mint :) Chilling_Silence (9)
814880 2009-09-29 00:12:00 Discussion here about Mint on limited hardware.

forums.linuxmint.com
a bit out of date sorry:blush:
KarameaDave (15222)
814881 2009-09-29 03:00:00 Have a look at Xubuntu. It should run fine on your hardware-wouldn't recommend running Ubuntu or Mint on that hardware. Blam (54)
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