This is great advice---I have Redhat on a pentium 166 and run x windows
just fine.  A compile *could* go faster, but what the hey.  You know,
a great idea would be to put Linux on a used laptop-say a p100 with a 
2 gig or so drive and 64-128mb of ram.  Anyone know what one of these 
could be gotten for and where?

Joe

> -----Original Message-----
> From: plug-discuss-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
> [mailto:plug-discuss-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us]On Behalf Of Victor
> Odhner
> Sent: Monday, April 10, 2000 1:53 PM
> To: PLUG
> Subject: Re: FW: [azipa] The correct box for Linux
> 
> 
> On Mon, 10 Apr 2000, Trent Shipley wrote:
> > I am going to buy a box for my home and install Linux and an 
> Apache server
> > to teach myself the ins and outs of the Linux OS and the 
> operation of a web
> > server.... does anybody have recommendations as to what would be a
> > reasonable choice for a box in which to install Linux? I am 
> looking for the
> > biggest bang for the buck ...
> 
> One of the coolest things about Microsoft is it keeps obsoleting
> perfectly good machines, which will still scream under Linux!  So if
> you're on a tight budget, get a second hand machine to start out
> with.  You'll quickly learn what kind of growth you need, if any,
> after you start out this way.  Maybe just memory, maybe just disk.
> 
> You can run Linux on anything from a little 386 on up.  If you don't
> care much about performance, the only issue is the amount of memory
> and the types of devices you want to attach.  We're talking cheap
> here!  Of course you're free to move right on up to the dual Pentium
> Pro systems, but you can start with just about any old piece of
> junk. 
> 
> Linux is wonderful when you're on a tight budget, because if you're
> satisfied with a text-mode, command-line interface to begin with,
> you can cut your teeth on any old 486 you can dig up.  Linux will
> run fine in 20 MB of memory, depending on the application mix.
> 
> There's lots of software available, with source code, so you
> probably want 2 gig or more of disk if you want room to play.  Be
> careful with the partition setup, depending on what your BIOS and
> the Linux Loader (LILO) can handle.  Plan on a CD drive to load from
> unless you have a high speed network connection.
> 
> I don't know how much memory a minimal Apache setup wants, but the
> Apache documentation should tell you. 
> 
> If you want to run X, well, windows is windows as far as memory is
> concerned, so you may take a performance hit if you don't have
> pretty much memory (64 - 128 meg should be great for an experimental
> machine).
> 
> If you plan to tinker a lot with the kernel configuration, then you
> might find yourself caring about processor speed.  A kernel compile
> takes, maybe, 30-45 minutes on a really slow machine.  And again, if
> you're running X, you might occasionally feel CPU speed, but it
> makes much better use of the resources than the Microsoft systems
> do.
> 
> Beware of any kind of plug-and-play devices (modem, sound card,
> network card, anything), these will give you a hassle under Linux.
> External modems are heavily favored by Linux users.  Some plug and
> play support is available, but you need to confirm before investing
> in any particular device.  Some are flat-out NOT supportable.
> 
> > Don't get me wrong, UNIX is a great OS, but I know where the
> > industry is heading.
> 
> It's a short walk from Un*x to Linux.  I work full time in the
> Solaris world for example, and Linux is looking pretty familiar to
> me.  But it's got rough edges compared to Solaris, so expect to be
> surprised here and there, especially down in the administrative
> details.
> 
> Vic
> 
> 
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