Which OS

[illuminate]

Ok, I have an old hand-me-down PC.
specs are:
AMD Semperon @ 1.86ghz
1gig ddr2
1x 80g drive
2x 40g drive

I'm not sure what OS to put on it. I've got a copy of XP, but i dont really want XP. I tried Linux mint.. it was ok. Ubuntu is a possiblility, but i'd like to learn a new distro. Gentoo is TOO far ahead of where i am right now.
It doesnt have to be linux.. but, some thoughts?

[Tylerdurdened]

Get Arch Linux. It's sort of like Gentoo but a TON easier to set up (still much harder than Ubuntu for example).

Arch Linux is also a rolling release distro, meaning you never have to do a fresh install, all is done through the update manager where it simply updates all the packages on your computer regularly.

Or you could also install Windows 2000. Best version of Windows IMO (no bloatware yet fully functional), and pretty minimal as well.

[DryFire]

On the linux end if you want something customizable arch is very easy to set up if you're willing to dig through the help wiki.

As for ease of use Ubuntu, SUSE, Fedora and MEPIS are all distros I generally like. Vector linux is always something I wanted to try.

[Joe Average]

Arch for learning Linux; Ubuntu for using it. Arch is highly recommended since it's pre-compiled for the best performance, the rolling release as already mentioned is a big plus, and the wiki is top-notch providing literal step-by-step instructions on how to get it operational.

XP will still run great on that machine, actually, even with a gig of RAM. 2K would be quite snappy on it as well, but it all depends on what you plan to do with it. Because IE7 isn't available for 2K, you'd be forced into using Firefox or Opera anyway - hence the recommendation for XP. Windows Updates would require IE7 so... XP is still the best choice for that machine on the Windows front.

[illuminate]

Hm, ok. I was thinking arch 1, because my friend raves about it. 2, to learn more about linux

But, i was also looking at Xp for simplicity. I dont use IE Joe, so that wouldnt matter FF FTW!

Hm, i might have to take a stab at arch

[Joe Average]

Hm, ok. I was thinking arch 1, because my friend raves about it. 2, to learn more about linux

But, i was also looking at Xp for simplicity. I dont use IE Joe, so that wouldnt matter FF FTW!

Hm, i might have to take a stab at arch

Yes, but as I said to get Windows Updates (unless you trust some of those update packs that are out and floating around for 2K since it won't run IE7) you'll need XP... might be best just to dedicate that machine as a learning PC and get rolling with Arch.

[illuminate]

Yes, but as I said to get Windows Updates (unless you trust some of those update packs that are out and floating around for 2K since it won't run IE7) you'll need XP... might be best just to dedicate that machine as a learning PC and get rolling with Arch.

ah, gotcha.
yeah, that is what i think i'm gonna do. Start with Arch.. learn that.. learn more and more about linux.. maybe take a stab at gentoo in the future

Edit.. Forgot that i had Crunchbag linux on here. I think i might try that first.. than arch

[dreamer3kx]

if you dont want xp (which will run great on that pc) then Id say go with ubuntu if you want to learn linux, it has a great community.

[Joe Average]

Arch is Gentoo without all the bullshit wasted time compiling stuff, more or less. :) Save yourself the time and just go for it with Arch... you'll be better off.

[panhead]

Yes, but as I said to get Windows Updates (unless you trust some of those update packs that are out and floating around for 2K since it won't run IE7) you'll need XP

Just installed 2K last weekend on an old AthlonXP and Windows update ran fine with IE6. Windows update installed SP4, DirectX9, and 71+ updates.

[Joe Average]

That's all fine and dandy but, IE6... do I have to spell it out? :)

[panhead]

That's all fine and dandy but, IE6... do I have to spell it out? :)

I realize using IE6 to browse the web is dangerous, but it does run Windows update and Firefox supports 2K.