[COLUG] looking for some basic introductory information on linux

[Jim]

"Larry W. Virden" wrote:

> I have a son trying to build his first linux system. 

That's an important part of what you are asking about. 

> 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.

He's probably correct that insufficient memory is why Ubuntu doesn't 
fails to install. 

> So where can I find a version of Linux that would install on such a
> small machine? 

The same place you get any version of Linux, on the internet. 

Generally, Linux has become fat, just like Windows. 
You _can_ install Linux on an old machine, 
but that means you can't use the normal fat distros. 
That kicks you into using odd-ball tiny distros 
or rolling your own. Either increases the difficulty 
for a first time installer of Linux. 

Ubuntu Lite is probably your best chance. 

http://www.madpenguin.org/cms/?m=show&id=7707
http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=07/01/10/1529228
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=fluxbuntu

Also _play_ with (but don't install) live-CD versions of Linux, 
such as puppy, DSL and the big Knoppix. Play with the live-CDs 
first. 

Using old machines for Linux, is more of a thing for experts to do. 
A beginner would be better off using a recent vintage machine 
with one of the big distros (such as regular Ubuntu that you 
tried).