Hi,
I'd like to suggest (to save some aggravation for new users with older
PC's etc.) that you place a link on the front page of "Debian [dot] com
/ org" related to minimum system hardware requirements. I'm a novice
user of PC's with the majority of my experience as an MS Windows user
for the most part. On most OS distro web pages, the minimum requirements
are listed or linked on the home/main page of the site (or at least not
buried to deeply). After downloading GNU/Debian-40r2-i386-CD-1.iso
(intent on a basic desktop installation without major limitations and
configuration issues) and reading the Installation doc's, I reached the
section titled;
3.4. Meeting Minimum Hardware Requirements
Chapter 3. Before Installing Debian GNU/Linux
<http://www.debian.com/releases/stable/i386/ch03s04.html.en>
in the 'Installation Doc' which was a big letdown for all the reading I
did in preparation for a Debian desktop Installation.
I've played with a few Linux distro's on and off over the last couple
years. Currently my situation is such that I reside with a family
member. My PC and related equipment is sadly in storage. That said, I am
currently using a family members system that has an 800MHz CPU, 512MB
RAM, and a 20GB hd. This PC is running WinXP for the benefit of said
family member who refuses to convert to Linux until such time I am
versed with Linux well enough to maintain it (I am the one responsible
for keeping this PC up and running).
Since I am stuck in this situation, I decided to install Linux on this
machine in a dual boot set up and play-with/learn it. Since WinXP is
such a resource hog, I only alloted a 5GB partition to install Linux on.
I imagine I could make do with these limits relative to Debian, but I
choose not too and will research another distro for this purpose; all
things considered. I will return to GNU/Debian Linux in the future and
install it on /my/ system when things return to normal and I have my own
residence back (not enough space here; /very/ cramped).
That said, I was very disappointed when I found these suggested minimum
hardware requirements. Call it an oversight or foolish, but had I known
these specs up front it would have saved me a /lot/ of aggravation and
time. Now ...I'm no kid, and oversights happen. But it seems to me that
this 'Minimum Hardware Requirements' info page should be linked on the
main Debian website page to save future potential converts from becoming
frustrated and leaving them with disappointment, and possibly the loss
of a potential Debian user/fan.
There are many that would have started the install on a substandard
hardware setup without this info, believing they know enough to fumble
through things and make it work, only to read instructions "after all
else fails". These types can become your worst form of advertisement and
circulate a bad name through ignorance. I've watched Debian and other
Linux OS's grow over the recent years and believe all are on the right
track (generally speaking) to becoming well noticed in the mainstream
market as a MS Windows alternative/replacement; particularly in the USA.
Need I say more relative to M$ and bloat-ware? Not to mention the
liberties and costs as a computer user that M$ deludes and hides from
the average person in an attempt to keep them as paying customers /
revenue makers. I'm sure whomever you are reading this understands my
point(s) without further comment.
I hope you take my suggestion and place a link labeled " Meeting Minimum
Hardware Requirements " on the main page as a quick reference for
would-be new users of GNU/Debian Linux. Thanks for your time, and
apology's for the long-winded nature of this email, but I wanted you to
understand my situation and reasoning for composing it. A reply will be
appreciated as well as answered. Please respect and keep my email
address private. Again,... thanks for your time.
Regards,
BigThunder1
