[COLUG] looking for some basic introductory information on linux

[William Yang]

Larry W. Virden wrote:
> I have a son trying to build his first linux system. He has an old
> gateway desktop computer with 128 meg of memory in it. When he tries
> to install ubuntu, it doesn't make it through. He suspects there
> isn't enough memory in the machine for it to be able to install.
> 
> So where can I find a version of Linux that would install on such a
> small machine? He would add memory, but it can only hold another 128
> meg, and the local stores have been saying they don't carry such
> small memory any longer.
> 
> Also, once he gets linux onto the desktop, what are some
> recommendations for low cost internet, so he can get online and get
> updated applications, send email, etc.?

I've installed Gentoo in 64 MB of RAM from a standard downloadable install 
CD.  I've even gotten such a machine to dial do PPP dialup, though it's 
harder to get it going initially without a reasonably fast network access 
point.

My company (wdyllc.com) has a local dialup in over 7,000 markets in the 
continental US, starting for as little as $7.50/month.  Last time I ran the 
numbers, users would see savings over most other providers within 12 
months.  (This dialup service is, by the way, the successor to the Greater 
Columbus Free-Net, which I designed and built in 1994 -- you can still get 
'gcfn.org' and 'freenet.columbus.oh.us' e-mail there, in fact!  ;-).

While we are located here in Ohio, we do have customers across the U.S. 
nowadays for our hosting and dialup services.

	-Bill
-- 
William Yang
wyang at gcfn.net