For really old computers that aren't up to more modern OSs, there is still GeoWorks, reborn and offered for sale to schools, etc.
Looks like it would cruise on a box that wouldn't support any Linux too big to install from a floppy. You can check out more at http://www.breadbox.com/ or do a Google search on GeoWorks. Only bug I see is that they seem to want everybody to pay. I recall attending a shootout, in the late Plio-Pleistocene, between GeoWorks and Windows 3.1 at HAL-PC in Houston, with Bill Gates performing admirably, but GeoWorks outperforming his system. As far as I can tell, it was far ahead of its time. Had read of schools using it on donated older computers. If I didn't have to pay for it, I'd try it on an old box I was given, of the 486 era. Choppy At 07:24 PM 2/2/06, you wrote: >you raise several issues: > >installation--i have several lite os you can test, as i stated in my >reply, if you bring an example machine to a meeting we can try them >out and possibly help you with installation. i am sure other members >can introduce you to other nix they are familiar with. > >free vs profit--if you are giving the systems away ms has a program >to give away old win os to non-profit groups & schools, if you are >selling, they consider copys a form of software piracy (yes i said the p-word) > >compatibility--having restored both windows and linux systems on old >p1 machines i can tell you that yes, you must warn newbie users that >they cannot run most new commercial software or hardware on these >old machines, regardless of os. I tell them they must read the >system requirments on the box before buying the latest software or >external drives etc. whichever os you choose to work with, new users >should be given some help with the systems or they may never make >full use of them. > >free software--given the choice of downloading free software from >one repository through synaptic on dsl or having to search about >and/or buy old/used dos or win9x compatible software, which is >really easier on them? >dual boot-- all my personal systems are multi boot os, as i want to >run as many types of software as possible. a dsl or feather >partition on the drive would take very little room on a win9x system >and open a whole new world to these users. who knows, you could be >giving the next Einstien or Torvalds their first computer equiped >with k-stars and crafty chess engine (instead of grand theft auto). > > I am glad to hear you are using these old machines to help people ! > >Adam J Hogan <ahogan2 at lsu.edu> wrote: > > > > >Only problem I have is getting dsl to load on the computer. After about 20 >minutes, all that had loaded was X and the cpu meter. Maybe I could >install it on a different computer and move the HD. > >Other issue: The computers I have will probably be used as an incentive for >some students in my school. Our computer teacher and I are working on >getting them set up. She is vaguely familiar with GNU/Linux (I gave her a >Live CD). Her feeling is that Windows is the way to go because most people >will buy software and hardware without understanding that it may not be >supported. These people will probably never use a package manager to >install programs. They may not even know that it is GNU/Linux. All they >will know is that their game doesn't work or their new tax software can't >be installed. Should I have freedom to install the OS I want and place a >file on the desktop for people to read explaining program acquisition via >apt, for example, and why most commercial software won't work? > >Is freedom of program use a freedom to be valued when users have no >understanding? The people who will be receiving these computers will most >likely live in projects and may not know anything about software. Does >freedom of program use outweigh freedom of modification and distribution if >people have no clue about these freedoms? Just looking for opinions. > >Carl W. wrote: > >after testing mepis, feather, puppy, and others i settled on dsl for my >166mhz 32mb toshiba tecra, you may have seen me dragging it about at sig >meetings. With the help of members i have learned to configure stuborn >hardware and load numerous packages for the system. I would be happy to >help you with it if you need help. > >I chose to work with live cd versions for the excellent hardware detection >they provide, and it's great to just pop a cd in and see how it works >before commiting to the installation process. > > >_______________________________________________ >General mailing list >General at brlug.net >http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net > > > >Relax. Yahoo! Mail ><http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail_us/taglines/viruscc/*http://communications.yahoo.com/features.php?page=221>virus > >scanning helps detect nasty viruses! >_______________________________________________ >General mailing list >General at brlug.net >http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net
