Newbie questions
Forum: User Feedback
Topic: Newbie questions
started by: WickedKilla
Posted by WickedKilla on Nov. 19 2004,00:47
Hi, I first heard about linux about a week ago and I'm starting to get interested. (Getting bored with windows as well) I've looked at the features on a lot of small/minimalist type OS's and I've decided this is the one for me.I would first like to know about system requirements or recommendations. Here is what I've got:
Pentium II @ 330 Mhz (75 Mhz bus) w/ 160 Mb Ram
My second question is: The cd that you can order, is it closed session or could I add files to it if I wanted?
Also, can I run games from Windows in DSL? I've got Unreal Tournament, Need for speed, etc. - Will there be a compatability issue there?
If I think of anymore I'll ask, but that's it for now. Thanks
Posted by Razor Toting Jim on Nov. 19 2004,01:15
You will have to boot in to windows to play your games.But you have more then enough pc power too run Damn Small Linux.
Posted by Green on Nov. 19 2004,03:17
I now have an old Compaq with 16MB RAM and 200MHZ cpu, you should have enuf pony power to get it going. Games, read previous post.
Posted by ke4nt1 on Nov. 19 2004,04:05
There are a number of options you can use to run DSL with your hardware.I'll share my results using a IBM 770 - 233MMX w/96MB ram .
1. Boot from CD with the "toram" option.
This will be a good performer . but it will eat up a good portion of your ram.
Basically, your creating a ramdisk that emulates the CD contents.
+ operational overhead, expect around 80MB's in use entering the desktop.
Still plenty of ram for running lots of stuff, but stay away from the REALLY big ones.
( openoffice, Quake 2 w/ pk files, etc. )
You can use a "poorman's install" , which mirrors the CD onto the HardDrive.
It loads faster than from CD, with similar performance in use.
Still requires the CD to "boot" the system, then switches to HD from there.
Can be used with the "toram" option for maximum performance.
You can use a "Frugal Install" , which boots like a HardDrive install,
but still runs from a compressed image... like the two types above..
"toram" can be selected during install routine, then becomes permanent
2. Install to HardDrive
This gives you maximun latitude to install and run programs
Minimum ram hit, and somewhat reduced performance.
Changes and installed programs are PERMANENT ,
since your installing to a writable filesystem.
Errors are stubbornly permanent as well.
Not recommended for new users with no linux exposure.
Pros and cons..
( this is a very opinionated and biased subject )
LiveCD/Poorman's installs
Pro - 1 - toram option - run from ramdisk - schweet
Pro - 2 - Easily upgradable - insert newest CD
Pro - 3 - Easily modifiable - make your own custom CD
Pro - 4 - Errors are simple to resolve - just reboot
Pro - 5 - Choice to boot from many locations - cdrom/hda1/ hdb1/usb/zip/pendrive
Pro - 6 - Numerous booting options at boottime - choice of mydsl location
Pro - 7 - Doesn't affect MBR or boot sector of existing OS (Windows)
Con - 1 - Requires a boot disk ( cd, floppy, or USBKey )
Con - 2 - Limited writability to filesystem
Con - 3 - Consumes ram
Con - 4 - Requires active participation in backing up customizations and personal files
Con - 5 - Departs from true "Debian" package management
Con - 6 - Installation of autostarting routines/modules are more difficult.
HD Install:
Pro - 1 - Better "debian" package management - maintain packages thru reboots.
Pro - 2 - Consumes less ram
Pro - 3 - No backup procedures necessary to restore personal files/settings
Pro - 4 - Multiuser installable
Con - 1 - Errors remain after reboots
Con - 2 - Somewhat reduced performance than toram
Con - 3 - Reduced option set on bootup
Con - 4 - Increased HD usage
Con - 5 - Difficult upgrade path
Con - 6 - No " uninstalling " large extensions without challenges
The Frugal install is somewhere in the middle..
Boots similar to a HDInstall, but works similar to a LiveCD/Poorman's
I'm sure there are many other pros/cons to each type.
I have run both on all my systems.
I personally prefer the flexability and upgradability of LiveCD/Poormans,
over the HDinstall's features.
I like to make my own "custom" cd's to run from as well.
And booting/running from a USBkey is also very handy for having
your own personalized distro be completely transportable
from home to work and very customizable. ( Runs like a CD, writes like a HD )
Unfortunately, it is slower at both running and writing then either CD or HDinstall .
As for an "open session CD" , the one you purchase is a "closed session"
It is on a 50MB racetrack (oval) miniCD fromat, with little room for much else.
Downloading the .iso, and burning it "open session" onto a 700MB CDR
leaves room for loads and loads of files, apps, LinuxGames, and entertainment files. CDRW's give even more flexability to making DSL " your way "
73
ke4nt
Posted by WickedKilla on Nov. 19 2004,23:31
Thank you all so much!As for games, are they easy to find and download or get for DSL? You mention Quake 2, what determines whether a game can be played on DSL or not? Is there code writing involved.
Also, I've got a shipload of mp3s downloaded- is there anything to remember when accessing them and playing them? wma? wav? How would it like my USB mp3 player? Does it support them?
Now about booting options. Could I create a profile on a HD and when I boot from CD, access the profile and continue running DSL, in RAM or poorman's, without having to permanently save the errors? Oh, and why is fixing an error on a HD install hard?- I'm interested in hearing about that.
"Frugal Install", You say that it boots from HD, right? Am I hearing you correctly when you said that when you use the "to-ram" (w/o hyphen) option it becomes permanent and you can't get it to run from HD again? (still clueless on that)
Later, WiCkEdK
-before I forget, It is Debian and Knoppix based- what programming code is that?
Posted by WoofyDugfock on Nov. 20 2004,09:13
Another highly informative post by Ke4NT1 above - I think its the clearest explanation on this I've read.WickedKilla - There are much more knowledgeable posters on this board than me but I'll try to answer a couple of your queries.
MP3 etc - I would have thought XMMS would play most of these provided you can get your soundcard working with dsl?
Games - not my area but Windows games are designed for Windows. In general there are far fewer games of the stunning graphics variety written for Linux. I'm not sure what experiences people have had running trying to run Windows games on DSL with eg Wine (which emulates Windows) - search the board. There are also websites which deal with exactly what win games can be got to run on wine under linux. You also have to consider whether your system resources could cope - recent games won't even run to their full potential on Windows without a fast processor & a late model graphics card.
"Profile" on your HD (??) - I think you might mean "partition", in which case you're referring to what's called a 'Dual boot' system: Win on one partition & DSL on the other. You choose which os at boot time using a 'boot loader' eg grub.
You need to know what you're doing with a HD install because core system files can easily get overwritten - not possible with live CD/poormans boot. I don't use one yet. DSL is not really intended for HD installs, it's just that people have found these useful. Read the website.
Look at the MyDSL respository (http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/distributions/damnsmall/mydsl/multimedia/) to see what linux games definitely run on DSL (have been turned into .dsl packages). Other games on apt-get should also be runnable in theory - if you don't know what this is you need to do some searching on this board.
WDF
PS: A suggestion - I find you're more likely to get more & better answers on any board etc if (a) you don't ask too many questions at once, and (b) you show you've looked for a solution first.
If you're getting into linux learn to use google.
Posted by WoofyDugfock on Nov. 20 2004,09:16
Afterthought - if by "profile" you're thinking of running DSL from inside Windows, this is now possible - look at posts dealing with "DSL embedded". But it's slow.
Posted by ico2 on Nov. 20 2004,13:29
if it is not already then ke4nts post should be in the FAQ thread.
Posted by lvgandhi on Nov. 25 2004,12:52
I want use excel files as I receive from others. Siag spread sheet doesn't open them. Can I get gnumeric from any source?
Posted by ico2 on Nov. 25 2004,16:33
packages.debian.organd welcome to the forum btw (and linux in general)
Posted by lvgandhi on Nov. 27 2004,05:05
How to install debian packages in dsl and how to know the dependencies for gnumeric?
Posted by WoofyDugfock on Nov. 27 2004,11:55
Search the board/website! This info must have been posted quadzillion times.Alright I'm soft so I'll indulge you ...
Click on MyDsl on your desktop and download the apt-get.dsl and the synaptic.dsl while you're there, or find the "get synaptic" thing on the right click menus. Open emelfm, find & select these downloaded .dsl's and click the MyDsl button. The desktop will blink and the synaptic icon will appear on your desktop.
Click synaptic, find your package, click install, click proceed. That's it, GUI all the way.
The debian package system automatically takes care of all the dependencies, that's why it's so bloody wonderful. But note if you happen to have the wrong .dsl's installed this can & does get buggered up - mixing the two systems is hit & miss.
Posted by ico2 on Nov. 27 2004,11:56
if you have the net working in dsl then it should be no problemo, just download and install dsl-dpkg.dsl and then apt-get gnumeric
Posted by lvgandhi on Dec. 07 2004,11:02
how to add gnumeric. can you be little more elaborate