Debian 3.0r2 base install requires 20 floppy disks, see ftp://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/dists/Debian3.0r2/main/disks-i386/base-images-current/images-1.44/
Couple of textmode spreadsheet app links: http://neal.nikkeibp.co.jp/linapps/ja/textonly.html#spread http://freshmeat.net/projects/sc/?topic_id=78 There are many textmode word processors out there. You might like Joe or nano. John Hebert Chopin Cusachs wrote: > > It is maxed out on memory -- can't support any more than the 32MB it has. > > Wonder how many floppies it would take to port Debian to the box -- it has > no CD capability. Might be able to get a parallel port CD to run..... > > Guess I could hook an external modem to serial port. > > Looks like a challenge and learning experience. > > At 08:25 AM 11/26/03 -0600, you wrote: > >> Hmmm... that's a tall order. The small amount of memory is going to >> make running a GUI painful. You should definitely shop around on Ebay >> for laptop memory for it. And of course the small hard drive will >> limit you. There may be larger hard drives available. >> >> You probably want to read these: >> http://www.linux-laptop.net/ >> http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Laptop-HOWTO.html >> http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/4mb-Laptops.html >> >> I recommend a minimal install of Debian and tell it _not_ to install >> everything and the kitchen sink at the first reboot. There are other >> Linux distributions out there: TinyLinux, PeanutLinux, etc., that are >> suited for old laptops but they require more Linux knowhow than Debian >> to add software. Use Blackbox|Openbox|Fluxbox as your window manager. >> >> Even if you don't add any new hardware to it, you should first decide >> which word processor and spreadsheet apps you will want to use. >> OpenOffice won't run well at all with 32MB as it needs Java running, >> which is a resource pig. I'd say you need at least 64MB for >> OpenOffice. And running Gnumeric will require Gnome, which is another >> resource pig. >> >> If I were you, I would look for a text mode word processor and >> spreadsheet app, which will run great on such an old laptop. And the >> text mode browser "links" does a good job at correctly formatting >> HTML. You could even run the old DOS version of Lotus123 under dosemu. >> >> Using text mode apps means you won't have to install X, which will >> save you a lot of room. I've done similar installs in the past on old >> laptops, so keep us in the loop about how it goes. You will definitely >> learn alot about Linux trying to squeeze it on this laptop! :) >> >> Good Luck! >> >> John Hebert >> >> Chopin Cusachs wrote: >> >>> I was blessed with an early Christmas present, >>> an IBM ThnkPad from the early 1990s. It is a >>> 486 33Mhz with 32MB of memory and a roughly >>> 300MB hard drive. Does not support CD, but >>> has 2.88 MB floppy drive. Battery is bad, but >>> it runs DOS. No network, but does have serial >>> and parallel ports. >>> Would like to find a distribution of Linux that I >>> could install from floppies to support word >>> processor and spread sheet. Anyone know of >>> something that might fit this need? >>> Choppy >> >> >> -- >> John Hebert >> System Engineer >> I T Group, Inc. >> 225-922-4535 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> General mailing list >> [email protected] >> http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net > > > > _______________________________________________ > General mailing list > [email protected] > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net -- John Hebert System Engineer I T Group, Inc. 225-922-4535
