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Linux for old ComputersHave an old computer that you're just thinking of throwing out? Well then, don't! Instead, you should get more use out of the computer. Install Linux on it!
There are several distributions and versions of Linux that are specifically meant to be installed on old computers, running old, outdated hardware. Also, if you're thinking, "Well, Linux is really hard to use and it can do barely anything that Windows or Mac can do." Then... you're completely wrong! Linux is hard to use if you make it hard to use. Most of the things can be done with automatic software. Also, Linux can do EVERYTHING that Windows or Mac can do. There is always some sort of an alternative software, and even if there isn't, you can normally run your favorite Windows apps through an application called Wine. So, how much does Linux cost? Linux is completely free, along with pretty much all the software! Linux has a promise; to keep it free also. Okay, now let's get started on those distributions of Linux. 1. DSL or Damn Small Linux | DSL is an EXTREMELY small distro of Linux, only taking up 50 megabytes of space, and is specifically designed to run on old, outdated computers. In fact, it installed really easily and I had it running extremely smoothly on an old laptop I had, which had a Pentium 1 processor, 32 megabytes of RAM and a 200 megabyte hard drive. You are also able to run it from a CD. To download this distro, click here. 2. Puppy Linux | This is another distro that is extremely small, and also designed for older hardware and computers. It still is not as lightweight as DSL, and does require 64 megabytes of RAM, but that is still extremely lightweight. To download, click here.
3. Debian | Debian is usually a huge flavor of Linux, and is actually probably one of the biggest. But if you know what you're doing, you can easily make it extremely small by choosing not to install all the extra goodies and drivers that you don't need. To download, click here.
4. Slackware | Slackware isn't a distro that is really geared towards older computers, but it can run great on older hardware with a bit of tweaking. To download, click here.
5. Vector Linux | Vector Linux can run pretty smoothly on old computers, although it does require at least 64 megabytes of RAM. It also has a pretty sleek look with the KDE desktop. To download, click here.
6. Crunchbang Linux | Crunchbang Linux is a Linux distrobution that can run on older computers. It is named "The Unofficial Ubuntu-Lite" because it is based on Ubuntu and Debian. To download, click here.
7. Lubuntu | Lubuntu is the real official mini version of Ubuntu, designed to run on old hardware. It has most of the features of Ubuntu and can do almost everything the full Ubuntu distro can. To download, click here.
8. Slitaz | The Slitaz distrobution is probably the smallest distrobution of Linux you are ever going to find. It can run on extremely old hardware, and only takes up about 30 MB of space. To download, click here.
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