Post by mikkh on Sept 6, 2012 15:07:24 GMT
Ubuntu has only one redeeming feature in my eyes, and that is the 'wubi' method of installation from within Windows which makes it a doddle for newcomers. Otherwise it's just yet another Debian clone in a sea of others. I'm not saying it's bad because it's not, but it's nothing better than what was already out, yet somehow it was hailed as Linux's saviour.
Anyway enough of the dreaded U word, it's gets hyped out of proportion already without me adding to it.
As good as wubi is for bringing Linux to the masses, it's also a full featured modern OS that it installs, which could be a bridge too far for older PC's and a pointless exercise if the PC is struggling to run even Windows XP.
Puppy Linux has always been the answer for such machines, but requires the burning of an ISO file and an optical drive(CD/DVD) to run it on. The second is not a problem for most machines unless it's a 'netbook' type laptop that comes without an optical drive, but asking some people to burn an ISO invariably involves a blank look and a shrug of the shoulders.
So here is the answer ..... A file you download in Windows, start the install from Windows and is easier than 'wubi' because you don't even need to give a password and your Windows files aren't hidden in an obscure folder called 'host'
You can obtain the file from here....
182.164.210.56/puppy/
And while that may look like a confusing array of files, the only one(s) you're interested in are the ones ending in .exe (executable files)
There are only 3 to choose from, well two really because one is an older version of the other. You have 'Puppy Linux 533 PAE.exe' (also the 531 version) plus 'Puppy Linux 528.exe'
531 and 533 are both based on Slacko Puppy and I assume 528 is based on Lupu Puppy
The reason I stumbled across these was I was looking for PAE based distros to try. PAE (Physical Address Extension) basically means that a 32 bit OS can access and use RAM above the normal barrier of 3.5 GB (ish) without having to resort to 64 bit.
So after one of the most long winded intros of all time, here's what it means. You can simply download and run one of the files and be using Linux in about 5 minutes flat. An entry will be added to the Windows boot menu and Windows can still be used as well - you just choose which system to load when you first switch on.
Why should you do it?
1) for older machines you'll get an immediate speed boost - and for newer ones
2) you'll have a virus free OS that is almost impossible to infect and definitely immune from all Windows based nasties
3) You can use it as a guest OS for kids/visitors to play on, so they can't access/view/mess about with your Windows based files.
4) You can use your computer still if the Windows part gets infected or ceases to function
5) Because it's cool and trendy beyond Apples wildest dreams !
6) Because I said so, so do as you're told or there's no tea for you and you're grounded for a week - maybe two if you start getting lippy
Anyway enough of the dreaded U word, it's gets hyped out of proportion already without me adding to it.
As good as wubi is for bringing Linux to the masses, it's also a full featured modern OS that it installs, which could be a bridge too far for older PC's and a pointless exercise if the PC is struggling to run even Windows XP.
Puppy Linux has always been the answer for such machines, but requires the burning of an ISO file and an optical drive(CD/DVD) to run it on. The second is not a problem for most machines unless it's a 'netbook' type laptop that comes without an optical drive, but asking some people to burn an ISO invariably involves a blank look and a shrug of the shoulders.
So here is the answer ..... A file you download in Windows, start the install from Windows and is easier than 'wubi' because you don't even need to give a password and your Windows files aren't hidden in an obscure folder called 'host'
You can obtain the file from here....
182.164.210.56/puppy/
And while that may look like a confusing array of files, the only one(s) you're interested in are the ones ending in .exe (executable files)
There are only 3 to choose from, well two really because one is an older version of the other. You have 'Puppy Linux 533 PAE.exe' (also the 531 version) plus 'Puppy Linux 528.exe'
531 and 533 are both based on Slacko Puppy and I assume 528 is based on Lupu Puppy
The reason I stumbled across these was I was looking for PAE based distros to try. PAE (Physical Address Extension) basically means that a 32 bit OS can access and use RAM above the normal barrier of 3.5 GB (ish) without having to resort to 64 bit.
So after one of the most long winded intros of all time, here's what it means. You can simply download and run one of the files and be using Linux in about 5 minutes flat. An entry will be added to the Windows boot menu and Windows can still be used as well - you just choose which system to load when you first switch on.
Why should you do it?
1) for older machines you'll get an immediate speed boost - and for newer ones
2) you'll have a virus free OS that is almost impossible to infect and definitely immune from all Windows based nasties
3) You can use it as a guest OS for kids/visitors to play on, so they can't access/view/mess about with your Windows based files.
4) You can use your computer still if the Windows part gets infected or ceases to function
5) Because it's cool and trendy beyond Apples wildest dreams !
6) Because I said so, so do as you're told or there's no tea for you and you're grounded for a week - maybe two if you start getting lippy