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VectorLinux 4.3 - Rocket Fueled Slackware
SilentBob4 writes "Mad Penguin has the first review of the latest VectorLinux release. Vector is based on Slackware Linux, but is built on a newer 2.6.7 kernel (Slackware 10 was still built on a 2.4 kernel with the option of using 2.6) and is optimized to run well on older hardware. Even old Pentium PCs run well on this distro. Complete review with screenshots."
I've been using VectorLinux(3.2) on my 760 series thinkpad for about a 8 months or so. Installing it was made easier by first installing Smart Boot Manager, which allows booting from a cd when the BIOS is too old to know how. Then, just to be a wiseass, I setup ICEwm to look exactly like windows XP(wall paper and all). Nothing like running xp on a 166. ;-)
-+-=-+-=-+-=-+-=-+-=-+ *** http://www.mountainfort.com *** +-=-+-=-+-=-+-=-+-=-+-
Does VectorLinux still follow the right-hand-rule?
I've used Vector Linux 4.0 (SOHO version) for a while, and I have to say a couple of things.
1. Judging it by the same apps (firefox, for instance), it was STUNNINGLY fast compared to XP Pro and all other Linux distros I've tried (Fedora, Mandrake, Arch, even Gentoo).
2. It sorely lacks a good dependency-handling package manager. Two exist that I'm aware of (Swaret and Slapt-get), and unfortunately they both just aren't that good. If this was remedied, well... just... wow.
Presumably some sort of ancient bacteria. With this in mind, they'll probably find primitive 386s on Mars in 20 years...
no dependency control, no thanks.
Apparently he was running his mysql server on dinosaur hardware!
StickMan
www.rageagainst.net
I've had the chance to use vector before, and I have to say it's the cleanest distro I've ever come across. No bloat, no extra features, no bizillion things starting at system boot.
Too much repetition my too much repetition!
I believe that linux distributions like this that cater to older hardware encourage responsible environmental behavior among computer users. Honestly, for many purposes a 6 year old machine is just fine. I find it really convenient to have access to an always on, personally reconfigurable server that I can use for everything from a database to a small dynamic website. Most things that we do with computers nowadays don't really push our CPUs.
I also think it's fantastic that they are using new the new kernel - cutting edge software is a great way to reinvigorate older hardware. I really hope that this leads to more computer reuse by geeks and maybe eventually nongeeks.
A lesson people seem to have forgotten since the great depression survivors have moved on is "waste not want not". I for one think this world would be a better place with a little more of that attitude.
Besides, it's fun to think that our "favorite" OS could be helping keep the world a safe, clean place for our children.
Cheers,
Justin
Why's it too much work to simply download updated packages from Slackware-Current and run "upgradepkg"?
c pu =i386
Pat keeps the thing up to date at all times, and all critical exploits are practically always fixed in current. He updates practically every few days.
http://www.slackware.com/changelog/current.php?
If you sunk $150 into the old hardware and upgraded it to new, you'd have a quicker machine and wouldn't have to sacrifice functionality and features just to get that old dinosaur PIII to crawl from its own ashes again.
Assuming you have the cash, skill, time, and a desktop then yes. $150 could easily get you into an amd 1700+ cpu, motherboard, and 256megs of memory.
But then you have this old dinosaur PIII motherboard laying about. What happens to it esp after you decide to upgrade the hard drive and video?
A more Eco-friendly solution would be to slap your spare parts in a case and sell / donate / give it to someone else, and now we are back to square one, still having an old clunker in need of an operating system.
There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.