[CLUE-Talk] would like to try Linux

[Walter Hildebrandt]

In looking at used  computers it appears sometimes there is little price
difference between PII and PIII with similar RAM and GB of hard disk.  In
using Linux is there any meaningful difference between PII and PIII?  For a
reference point the computer should be able to do everything in Star Office
(or other office suites).

The Clue-talk is great.  At this point I am at the first step - selecting a
computer.  The Clue-talk convinced me that it is safest to start with a
separate computer so my present computer will keep working until the Linux
computer is setup and I have leared how to use it.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Timothy C. Klein" <teece at silverklein.net>
To: <clue-talk at clue.denver.co.us>
Sent: Sunday, September 22, 2002 8:52 PM
Subject: Re: [CLUE-Talk] would like to try Linux


> Technically Linux will run on a 386 with 4 mb of RAM.  Realistically,
> most distributions won't install on that anymore.  A Pentium 133 or
> above is usable, but a bit slow, for the X Window System.  X is the GUI
> that is used in Linux, and would be needed for what you are describing.
> Star Office or Open Office will inter-operate with MS Office, more or
> less.  A PII/Celeron/K6 in the 300 MHz range with 128 MB of RAM is
> completely usable.  Look for at least a couple GB of hard disk, the more
> the better.  There are many distributions to choose from.  I hear good
> things about Mandrake for newbies, but RedHat is the most popular
> probably.
>
> You should check out www.linuxdoc.org and read some of the beginner
> HOWTOs to get a feel for what you will need to do.  Also, keep your eye
> out for an InstallFest, so you could get expert help installing Linux.
>
> Lastly, you might check out http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html
> if you have access to a CD burner and BIOS that can boot from a CD.  It
> is a completely self-contained Linux distribution that boots from you
> CD-ROM.  You can get a feel for what it is like, with 0 commitment.
>
> Tim
>
> * Walter Hildebrandt (hildy at totalspeed.net) wrote:
> > I would like to learn how to get and use Linux for word processing,
spreadsheets, and the Internet.  The files must be interchangeable between
Linux and Microsoft,Word and Excel.  Where can I get help?  I am completely
new to Linux.  I have used computers for 15 years or so and have no
programming experience
> >
> > I am considering getting a used computer so I do not have to use, and
maybe foul-up, my present computer.  What is the minimum specs to use for
the "Linux" computer that will do the job very well?
> >
> > Hildy
> >
> --
> ==============================================
> == Timothy Klein || teece at silverklein.net   ==
> == ---------------------------------------- ==
> == "Hello, World" 17 Errors, 31 Warnings... ==
> ==============================================
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