n00b thinks about Linux...

As the title states I know nothing about Linux Period. I happen to have an ancient Thinkpad T21 750mhz, 256mb RAM, 8mb vRAM, 10gb HD, Windows 2000 and I was what distro (I think that's what it's called) works. I was thinking of the CD version (where you burn the CD so you don't have to install anything on your PC I think) so can someone point me in the right direction?

I've heard of Ubuntu being easy to use. As for the CD version can you explain it to me what it exactly does?

 

The CD version allows you to run the entire OS from the CD, a test run so to speak, but it is also the same disk you will use for installation. I also use Ubuntu and find it incredibly easy to start with as a beginner, plus the www.ubuntuforums.org or google database is ripe with topics for your needs and or required help.

 

It's called a LiveCD and it's now a common feature (a lot of distros offer this).

It's the same CD you use to install the distribution permanently to your HDD or just to run it without installing.


Maybe you should consider a lightweight distribution.

Edit: too late

 

How does the Live CD work? Do you just burn the disc with the iso and then pop it into your CD drive and that's it? Or is it more complicated than that? Also what's the minimum system requirements you need in order to run Ubuntu Live CD?

 

You just burn the ISO on the CD, insert it in the CD drive, restart your computer and everything will load.

There are the requirements: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/SystemRequirements

 

OK. Thanks. One more question what's the difference between the two different versions?

Desktop Edition
Ubuntu 7.10 - Supported to 2009
Ubuntu 6.06 LTS - Supported to 2009

 

Go with 7.10, you'll have better hardware support and newer features because 7.10 is more recent than 6.06. LTS means "Long term support".

 

One last question. Probably. So I just leave the burnt CD in the CD drive then shut down windows and press the power on button and there's Ubuntu? So then if I want to shut down Ubuntu how would I be able to get the CD out? And then without the CD Windows boots normally?

 

Its like, you put the Ubuntu CD on your drive and then reboot your computer. It will boot from the CD, then you choose "Start Ubuntu" and wait for the loading time. Theres ubuntu! You can use it normally and Install it when/if you want. Theres no problem on running it from the CD always, but it's a bit slow and any changes you make while running the CD are not saved. The installation should be quick and painless, so if you run it and like it, you should install it to enjoy it at all.

If you want to shut down Ubuntu, just shut it down normally and the cd should eject itself (at least it does on the distro i use). Then you take it out and turn your pc on again without the CD, and it will run as it always do. The LiveCD definately does not change anything on your pc by itself.

 

Might I suggest Puppy Linux? Given the specs of your notebook, this small yet feature rich distro will provide all that you need for daily computing tasks. I strongly advise you to consider Puppy as a viable option. Besides, it has such a cool name! For more information please visit the links below.

Puppylinux.com

Puppylinux.org -- Community-supported

Puppy Wiki

 

http://linuxmint.com/

VIVA MIIINT!!! based on ubuntu. EVERYTHING EEEEEEEEEEVERYTHING HAS RUN STRAIGHT FROM THE BOX.

only downside is that theres not much to do since everything works really well.

 

If only all of us could be so lucky...Mint doesn't come with OpenOffice, does it? You might want to install that. If there's any way you can bump that lappy up to 512 RAM you'll see a dramatic improvement in responsiveness.

I'm surprised to hear that you were able to install from the LiveCD. 256 is really borderline for using the LiveCD's.

 

I just configured an old PII machine for a friend. I decided to use a light weight distro. The one I ended up using was SAM Linux. It is based on PCLinuxOS but it uses XFCE as the window manager. The performance is great. It is very very nice!

You can find it here:
http://sam.hipsurfer.com/news.php

Here is a review:
http://www.tuxmachines.org/node/14581

 

I use Xubuntu, which is Ubuntu with the Xfce desktop, which I prefer. It comes with Firefox and OpenOfficeWriter, I did have to run a couple of command lines to use my Bluetooth Mouse. Puppy Linux sounds interesting...

 

You can try Damn Small Linux. As the name suggests it takes up very little space and is very light on requirements. It can be run off a 486 PC according to the website.

For full install it needs only 128 MB RAM which is half of what you have. It is based on Debian, which is what you will see once you install it. If you don't feel like installing it you can boot it as a LiveCD or even off a USB stick or Compact Flash. You can even boot from within Windows.

The default ISO is a mere 50 MB in size. The full install gives you XMMS, Firefox, Naim (AIM variant), Ted (word processor), Spreadsheet and VNC viewer.

What else does one need?

Check it out: http://damnsmalllinux.org/

 

if u want a good distro for a noob i sugest ubuntu but since u only have 256 mb of ram isugest u dont get the live cd because it tends to be laggy and is imposible to intsall on a GUi [grapical user interface or sumthin] i u want the text install wich i found was better go to this page http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download and tick the box down the bottem that says "Check here if you need the alternate desktop CD. This CD does not include the Live CD, instead it uses a text-based installer."
i know this because my pc's(my crappy desktop) specs right now is
is 256MB shared RAM
and a 2.2gh processer
and it works perfectly
the recomended specs are
Recommended requirements

500 MHz x86 processor

192 MB of system memory (RAM)

8 GB of disk space

Graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution

Sound card

A network or Internet connection