Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Which Version, and what features?

Jun 25, 2005 7:18AM PDT

Which Linux is better, and what are the features of each?
The Linux I want, I don't want to pay for. And as the Debian website, it said by free they mean freedom, not free. I thought about it. Then I got confused. I want a free Linux OS, free as in, at no cost in money. Just incase there are Linuxes made for certain type of systems, which I dont know because the websites are confusing about Linux, I will provide some details.

System Number 1:

Bought in 2005
HP Pavilion
Proccessor: AMD Athlon 64
Windows XP Home W/ SP2
RAM: 1 GIG w/ Shared Video Card (128 MEG)
Dial-Up ( I know it would be like visiting hell to download any linux on a dial-up connection, so I decided to go to a friend's house, who's internet speed is 54 Mbps, not sure what type of connection, and I plan to take a few CD(s) or DVD(s) w/me.
Speed 2.4 Ghz

System Number 2

Very Old
ITS Computer
x86
90 something RAM
about 500 Mhz speed
Dial-Up
Windows 2000 Pro NT

Even though I want a Linux with the most features, the main ones I want are to set-up my own e-mail server, web hosting server, and domain server. If these are not possible, its OK, because I think Apache can do that.
It is OK if my stuff wont be up 24/7 and if its slow. I am just a starter
And if doing these things is only possible by getting a server, which I dont want, is ther an alternate?

Anyways, I am a newbie, and a 13 year old. <- Hey, dont judge a person by it's age.

Thank you for spending your time reading this. I hope I cam get a reply.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Linux from Scratch.
Jun 25, 2005 8:25AM PDT

You sound like you want to build your own distro.

Start with http://www.tldp.org/LDP/lfs/html/

I will not offer any comparison between Suse, Redhat and others since... you can do that already. I can't add to what fodder you'll find out on the net already. But Linux from Scratch is for those that are seeking some version they didn't find ready to use.

Bob

- Collapse -
Thanks
Jun 26, 2005 9:17AM PDT

I appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

- Collapse -
Beware...
Jun 26, 2005 10:58AM PDT

There are several distros shipped in recent timet that will not run KPPP, a great dialer. One such was SuSe Pro 9.2. Kppp had several problems. For your purposes, home computers, wvdial will work.

Also, CentOs 4 would not run KPPP.

I have never had a problem with Mandrake and KPPP.

At age 13, you may not have money for an external modem, which eliminates a lot of win modem problems. I have always used internal modems, Lucent and Conexant, but I have laptop and travel a lot.

- Collapse -
OK
Jun 27, 2005 8:37AM PDT

OK, I will keep that in mind. And, it is OK if nothing does happen, because, I am just a new guy into this, and I just wanted to explore the Linux world. But, thanks for the help. I will bother if I need more help.