[COLUG] looking for some basic introductory information on linux

[Brian Miller]

On Friday 19 January 2007 12:34 pm, 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.?

You don't say how old your son is, but you might want to see if he could 
volunteer for Free Geek Columbus (http://freegeekcolumbus.org/).  With enough 
hours, they will give him a computer with Linux pre-installed.  And along the 
way, he should learn quite a bit about hardware and using Linux.