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Opinions Please!


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peterparker

Tue Nov 28 2006, 10:16AM

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Sorry this is a question regarding computers. I did not know where else to put it.

I am thinking of working with my church to offer used computers to the less fortunate within the community. This is just in the conceptual stage right now so I am trying to think through some issues. One issue I am facing is an OS for the machines. I loaded up Ubuntu on an old machine that I had laying around. The specs being 400 mhz processor and 128 RAM. The interface is to slow for it to be much use to someone, even free. OpenOffice took a painfully long time to start. The questions I am stuck on are:
- What would be the minimum requirements for Ubuntu to run smoothly?
- I am not very familiar with Linux. If I am dealing with old hardware how is the legacy support within Ubuntu?

I think with available freeware and open source software like OpenOffice, someone would find use for these older machines. Has anyone done something like this here or thought about doing it? What are your views and what else do you think my sticking points would be?

Thank you for any help.

ShadowPuterDude

Tue Nov 28 2006, 03:37PM

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Ubuntu being the excellent distro, it is, may be the wrong choice for a low end system. Ubuntu being a "Bleeding Edge" distro is going to require more system resources, and to get decent performance you will want at least 512mb RAM and a 1gHz proc.

On a 400mHz system with 128mb RAM, I would look at using aLinux. I think 128mb of RAM is on the light side; I'd go with 256mb minimum. OpenOffice is going to be slow opening, on a low end system, consider KOffice as an alternative.

"Only those who fail greatly can ever achieve greatly" - Robert F. Kennedy
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peterparker

Tue Nov 28 2006, 05:15PM

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Thanks for the quick response. I am not sure what systems I would be getting, so that is why I tried it on a low end one to see how it would run. I will look at the other options if this is the type of machine I wind up getting.Thanks again for the great ideas.

ShadowPuterDude

Tue Nov 28 2006, 05:25PM

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If you are going to have a lot of old systems donated, I would expect mainly PIII class systems as the norm. You may get some P1's and P2's maybe even some P4's. I get mainly old PIII class systems given to me, had a few P2's even an old PS1

. Have no idea what I'm going to do with the PS1.

peterparker

Wed Nov 29 2006, 08:33PM

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Thanks, I guess the hope is to get a system that would be good enough for kids to do homework.

ShadowPuterDude

Wed Nov 29 2006, 09:09PM

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Any system made since 2000 should be fast enough with a decent amount of RAM ; to do what you want.


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