Linux on old laptop - still trying...

[Bill Ricker]

> RAM  I've got 40MB, so I'm way below this requirement.

Ouch, I missed focusing on that number on your first message. That
tightens things significantly. That will be a problem for pretty much
any graphical desktop that isn't really lean.

DSL says 16MB 486 is ok. I don't know what else can work with your
Pentium (1? Pro? 2?) 40MB. Folks have gotten Xwindows running with DSL
on 32MB laptops, so you've got a good chance. One poster used FluxBox
with a P120 Solo 2100 with only 24MB, but couldn't use 256 color mode,
only 4-bit color. You might hit that also.

Examples courtesy of googling site:damnsmalllinux.org ...
www.damnsmalllinux.org/f/topic-3-10-8309-0.html  SOLO 2100, P120/24MB
www.damnsmalllinux.org/f/topic-3-26-10870-0.html VAIO PGC505(FX)
w/32Mbwww.damnsmalllinux.org/f/topic-3-15-5647-0.html  P133 40MB

While the DSL FF build _might_ be light enough to work with Fluxbox in
40MB, you may need to use Opera or Dillo for a browser.

You will NOT be able to run a modern Java Integrated Development
Environment like Eclipse.  I'm not sure how satisfying it will be as a
Java tutoring station.

My rules about small tools ...

Rule 1) If there isn't a matter of safety, buy a cheap tool. If it
breaks or wears out or just doesn't work, buy the good one. If it
works fine, doesn't break, or never gets used, you saved money.
Rule 2) If it's safety, buy the good one first. People cost more than tools.

If the lads can show they've hit the old P150/40MB laptop's limits and
need more for their project, that would be something.  Worst case, it
can be a remote console for the server they build for their website
when they're done !

I hope they're having some of the fun with the Linux installs ...
that's part of the learning here. (Maybe you need to try it first so
you can teach them.)

-- 
Bill
n1vux at arrl.net bill.n1vux at gmail.com