Re: Good distro for underpowered computers?

On Sat, 2005-01-01 at 21:58 -0700, Alan Dayley wrote:
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> A non-profit agency has recieved a donation of older computers. Something
> along the lines of 200 MHz for the processor. I don't know all the details
> of the five systems yet but they all have CD-ROM drive, a few GB hard drive
> and a decent monitor. The key here is that I don't know the amount of RAM in
> them yet so I am planning (hoping) for at least 128MB. They were all running
> Windows 98 before being wiped clean prior to donation.
>
> They want to set them up for basic office-worker type use. Web browsing with
> JavaScript enabled (and maybe JavaVM), OpenOffice.org for general
> applications, printing to a SMB network printer (I think).
>
> They expected to have software still on them but the donor followed licensing
> procedures and wiped them clean. The agency has no budget for OS and other
> software so they came to me for a Linux solution! I already thought of LTSP
> but they don't have or want appropriate hardware for a server box. It would
> be too much of a paradigm shift (ooo, pretty buzz words) for them.
>
> Finally to the question in the subject line: What would be a good distro or
> configuration to put on these boxes. HD install of Knoppix or Mepis maybe?
> KDE or GNOME is probably to heavy but the users would be more comfortable
> with "windows like" look and feel. I am open to all suggestions as I have
> about a week before actually doing anything with these boxes.
>
> BTW, the agency is an employment center supported by a local church
> organization. The computers would be used by clients seeking help to find
> employment. Job and company research on the web, resume and letter writing
> and even basic computer skill training (spreadsheets and presentation
> writing) are the kind of things the seekers will do with the computers.
----
You dismiss the best idea out of hand as being too expensive but you
cannot overlook practicality and usefulness of a well conceived solution
that undoubtedly will cost less in the long run and probably short run
too.

LTSP is the way to go - no question about it. A system with the right
hardware for the server could probably be done on the cheap.

If the sole focus is doing this without spending money, then massive
amounts of energy will be spent on getting them to run and keeping them
running. If the focus is on doing the job the right way, LTSP makes the
most sense.

A current distro is gonna be too heavy for old hardware, even with
lighter duty desktop / window manager.

of course you should see
<http://linux.ittoolbox.com/documents/document.asp?i=1976>

Craig

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