I want to use my old PIII to learn basic linux stuff, should I use ubuntu?
Hey, everyone, I'm using Macs for years,and since I'm fascinated by the terminal and command line, I try to learn the basic linux stuff, so I don't care about gaming or web browsers,the only thing I want is just a basic, simple, stable, Linux distribution. Should I use ubuntu, or are there any better suggestion for me? Thanks.
My old PCs configuration is:
- Intel Pentium III CPU
- NVidia GeForce mx-440 GPU
- 256 megabytes of ram
- a 30 gigabyte hard drive
- I would recommend you to use Lubuntu.
- It's a faster, more lightweight and energy saving variant of Ubuntu using LXDE- the Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment.
Xubuntu will also be good (Ubuntu + XFCE): http://www.xubuntu.org/
Crunchbang(Debian, Ubuntu is also based on Debian, + Openbox) is good and it uses 60MB RAM http://crunchbanglinux.org/
You can see this thread for more information.
System requirements for lubuntu can be found here.
Download an Ubuntu ISO file, burn it, boot from CD and test it yourself. You can run Ubuntu without intalling it! It's really simple and there is no risk for you. I think Ubuntu will be the right thing for you. Have fun. :)
If you are exclusively interested in the command line, then ubuntu server is worth looking at (particularly given the lower specs of your PC, this will work fine)
You will get full compatibility with Ubuntu desktop (and hence support in ubuntu forums will apply to you), but the "Server" CD avoids including desktop packages (packages like X, Gnome or KDE) by default, which it seems you are not interested in. Instead it includes server related packages (Apache, DNS, etc). The desktop-centric packages could be added later on an individual or group basis later if you changed your mind.
http://www.ubuntu.com/server has a FAQ section for further questions.