[lug] new Distro

[David Kritzberg]

This sounds like a cool project, and I really do not want to distract
people from the point of your email.  But can I play devil's advocate
here, and ask why you want to make linux run on such old machines?  I
have a few of them in a closet.  I was considering running them to
donate cycles to fold proteins on one of those distributed projects.
But then I was made to understand that, considering the rate at which
the hardware for these old machines sucks power, it was doing more
social harm than good.  What alternative use for an old PIII would
justify the energy consumption? 

Dave

* Patrick P <parspe at hotmail.com> [2007-08-29 19:45:33 -0500]:

> 
>  I am working on a project to create a lightweight Linux workstation distro for older hardware, mainly PII and PIII machines. The goal is a functional desktop with easy installation and configuration. This is not a LiveCD like damn small linux but a complete installation distro which uses IceWM for the window manager. All of the applications from Debian stable are available post install for those who need additional software. We could use a little help with testing and a few details if anyone has time or wants to.
>  Deb-Ice is a customized Debian distribution uses apt for package management and the 2.6 kernel. Deb-Ice simplifys the process of installing Debian on an older machine. Currently we just have an installer which uses the Debian repositories. Once we get to version 1.0 we will release an iso for offline installation. The IceWM window manager is installed along with a selection of applications for everyday use, most of which are selected for low memory usage, although familar applications such as a Mozilla browser suite are also included for those who would rather use them. We are working on getting together the needed graphical configuration utilities as well. It is a desktop workstation distribution to simple functionality and performance on older hardware.
>  Basically everything is together but we need to make sure nothing important is missing or see if anyone can think of some other applications that need to be added. Things we need help with include:
> * testing sound, printing
> * Getting together some information (documentation and HowTos) about getting these things working for the distribution. 
> * There are a few broken pieces of software lying around that we would like to get included if anyone that can program in C++ or C would like to work on. These are basically just configuration utilities which are missing. debian packaging expertise would also be helpful here.
> * We could use some prople who are good with graphics to create icons for the menu items, which are not completed yet.
>  
>  Website is still under construction but can be found at http://icelinux.net If you would like to help out Just send me an email if you want to help out and then download the iso
> https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=203391
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____________________________
Dave Kritzberg
http://dijon.colorado.edu/
Dave.Kritzberg at gmail.com