Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:19:16 -0500 From: DAve <dave.list@pixelhammer.com> To: 'User Questions' <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org> Subject: Re: Small Unix install Message-ID: <4778FA64.1060205@pixelhammer.com> In-Reply-To: <477699AC.4030109@cederstrand.dk> References: <477538C2.3070204@pixelhammer.com> <477699AC.4030109@cederstrand.dk>
next in thread | previous in thread | raw e-mail | index | archive | help
Erik Cederstrand wrote: > DAve wrote: >> Good morning, >> >> I am looking for a small install for an old laptop. I have an old but >> quite reliable Toshiba 330CDT that used to be my personal laptop. I ran >> FBSD 3.x/4.x on it for years but it has been wiped and in a closet for >> years. I want to use it again just to access a few web forums and read >> my email. I don't do POV RAY or 3D, I don't need Open Office, I don't >> watch any Tubes. Mutt, Fluxbox and a minimal browser would make me happy. >> >> I don't have the time or inclination to roll my own again. PCBSD can't >> finish the install due to only having 96mb of memory. Desktop BSD wants >> more than 4gb of drive space just to complete the install. >> >> I currently have 98SE on it only consuming 300mb and it runs fine, but >> it's 98SE ;^) Does anyone know of anything ready to install? BSD, Linux, >> I don't care. > > You could try Damn Small Linux. The main problem with using old laptops > is finding a browser that doesn't hog memory. The only on I've found > (apart from Lynx) is Dillo, but it doesn't support CSS. Yep, Dillo fails on most of the web forums I want to read. As I responded to another reply, I am a ASCII kinda guy in a Multimedia world. > > Another option if you really want FreeBSD is to search the FTP archives > for a FreeBSD 3/4 install CD and go from there. They'll have the > packages ready to install. Just beware of the security implications of > using old releases. I still have a full four disk set of FreeBSD 3.2 ;^) Security implications! Ha! A bit of tuning here, a firewall there, kill some daemons off, I wouldn't worry. Safer than Windows. I spent (wasted IMO) the better part of 8 hours this weekend installing FreeBSD and Slackware on the laptop with disappointing results. X was incredibly slow with all browsers, my pcmcia card isn't working, my wireless card is unsupported. But.... I work from home, I have VMWare on my work laptop, I installed PCBSD in VMWare. I was downloading mail and reading a forum in under 15 minutes. I am happy. I will keep an eye out for a cheap/used replacement laptop for personal use. Thanks everyone who responded, and have a happy New Year. DAve -- Google finally, after 7 years, provided a logo for veterans. Thank you Google. What to do with my signature now?
Want to link to this message? Use this URL: <https://mail-archive.FreeBSD.org/cgi/mid.cgi?4778FA64.1060205>