OS for pentium 166 non mmx (aka Linux Mom)

[SendTrash]

Hello,
I am making a basic email/possible web if I can get a working modem/word processor machine for my mom,
using a Pentium 166, 32 EDO RAM, 2+3 gig harddrives, SB AWE 32, Riva128 graphics card.

I kinda don't want to use Windows 95, since I don't have the original disk (and I don't feel like digging through old warez channels to get them) I want to try one of the "free" oses...
I heard that BeOS is really windows like.. is it something that can be make into the machine I want it to be?
Also, since that new NIC computer is based on Linux.. can I make this machine into a NIC computer using Linux?...

I am kinda learning toward linux, since I want a stable machine that doesn't crash on my mom and freak her out.. Is there some way to make an really restrictive Linux setup so that just does the actions I mentioned and nothing else?

 

[jkdude]

that sounds like a good start...

personally, i dual-boot Win95 and Red Hat 7.0 on my P-166.

 

[HalfHuman]

could this be the start of a "linux mom" t-shirt trend?

ha ha, sorry, didn't get much sleep

 

[SendTrash]

<< &quot;linux mom&quot; >>


? LOL.. is that for real?

 

[BOFH]

Yeah my mom loves linux and my dad doesn't do too badly in it either

 

[GeekyNerd]

hey I gave my old computer to my mom and dad also and then bought the same type of computer for my server.
here is what I gave them
Win98se
pentium 200mmx
64 megs of ram
zoom 56kpci dual modem
trident 4 meg video card
orchid ritios 3d card (voodoo) (back in my Jedi knight days)
5.3 gig HD ( they so far have only used 1 gig )
office 2000 pro (excel and word only installed)
SB AWE 64
linksys nic 10/100
12x cdrom
AOL 5.0
15 inch monitor

Here is what I got for my server ( computer off an auction)
pentium 166 (non mmx socket 5)
I put Win2k pro on it ( yes win2k pro )
has a built in nic (10/100)
SB built in
32 megs of ram
intel 2100 DSL router modem ( useing this to connect to Qwest DSL)
2.1 gig HD ( 1.3 gig free)
15 inch monitor ( turned off 99.9% of the time)

Zone alarm ( fire wall)
8x cdrom

takes about 2 min to load ... and usually I restart it ever 3 weeks...usually when I do its for a defrag and scandisk other wise I usually leave it on ( who knows how long it will run)

 

[Soybomb]

Actually I seriously debated between putting 98 and linux on my dads computer. With 98 it will lock up every couple days and the browser will die every now and then. With linux and netscape for x its alot more stable.....besides if I set ip up for graphical login it shouldnt be any harder........

 

[HalfHuman]

<< << &quot;linux mom&quot; >>


? LOL.. is that for real?Text >>



not that I know of.

 

[TBP]

<< takes about 2 min to load ... and usually I restart it ever 3 weeks...usually when I do its for a defrag and scandisk other wise I usually leave it on ( who knows how long it will run)


>>



It will run for long time if you don't actually run anything on it (except for the build-in services)

off to sleep.

 

[jyrixx]

go with linux...
just make sure she has a good understanding of how to turn it off, and login and all that jaz... you don't want to have any problems as far as shutting down improperly..
and you can make it work the way you want to i believe..
lots of help on the net.

good luck