From: b...@water.ee.nsysu.edu.tw (Benjamin Han)
Subject: Which linux distribution do I need?
Date: 1997/10/09
Message-ID: <3452016e.9044804@netnews.hinet.net>#1/1
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Organization: AI lab, dept. of E.E., NSYSU.
Reply-To: b...@water.ee.nsysu.edu.tw
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.setup,comp.os.linux.hardware


I'm a newbie who has started linux exploration only recently. Could 
anyone give me your suggestions on which Linux distribution 
(linux version? XFree86 version?) I should get based on the 
following list of my hardware?

===================================================================
My laptop:

CPU: P166MMX
RAM: 48M
HD: Hitachi 2.1GB (IDE)
CD-ROM: Toshiba XM-1502B (10x,IDE)
Pointing device: Alps GlidePoint (PS2 mouse?)
PCMCIA: TI PCI-1131 CardBus Controller * 2
Video: NeoMagic MagicGraph 128ZV with 2MB RAM
Display: 12.1" TFT
Audio: ESS1878
Battery: lithium-ion
BIOS: Phoenix 4.0.5
Others: Video AV and S-output, irda, 1.44MB floppy drive
===================================================================

If any specific piece of hardware listed above is not supported,
could it be pointed out for me? Thanks a lot!

From: "Brian" <brian_t...@rocketship.com>
Subject: Re: Which linux distribution do I need?
Date: 1997/10/09
Message-ID: <61jnl1$sqe@van1s03.cyberion.com>#1/1
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References: <3452016e.9044804@netnews.hinet.net>
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Organization: English Bay
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.setup,comp.os.linux.hardware


Hi Ben:

Laptops are a field of expertise all on its own when it comes to Linux - I
recommend you do a search using Linux and Laptop as you key search criteria.
If that gives you too many hits, try the above but include the brand of your
machine as well. Most any distribution of Linux can be made to run on any
hardware that the others can run on so that shouldn't be a major problem. So
when you ask which distribution; you are approaching this backwards. Perhaps
you should state your objectives and goals before asking for advice about
distribution brands.

I have three different distributions on my home box; Slackware, RedHat and
Debian. My primary interest in Linux is as a hobby and a retro movement away
from GUI systems. Therefore I rarely run an X GUI on any of them. I work in
text mode and am attempting to learn and understand the power of non-GUI
unix type system.

I have a preference for Slackware because it allows me greater freedom to
hack and mend. The others are great systems but I just end up at Slackware
more often then not.

Want to help but need to know what _you_ want to do.

Regards,

Brian.

Benjamin Han wrote in message <3452016e...@netnews.hinet.net>...
:I'm a newbie who has started linux exploration only recently. Could
:anyone give me your suggestions on which Linux distribution
:(linux version? XFree86 version?) I should get based on the
:following list of my hardware?
:
:===================================================================
:My laptop:
:
:CPU: P166MMX
:RAM: 48M
:HD: Hitachi 2.1GB (IDE)
:CD-ROM: Toshiba XM-1502B (10x,IDE)
:Pointing device: Alps GlidePoint (PS2 mouse?)
:PCMCIA: TI PCI-1131 CardBus Controller * 2
:Video: NeoMagic MagicGraph 128ZV with 2MB RAM
:Display: 12.1" TFT
:Audio: ESS1878
:Battery: lithium-ion
:BIOS: Phoenix 4.0.5
:Others: Video AV and S-output, irda, 1.44MB floppy drive
:===================================================================
:
:If any specific piece of hardware listed above is not supported,
:could it be pointed out for me? Thanks a lot!