Now that Windows 98 is in effect history, with the withdrawal of support by Microsoft, could you recommend a distro of Linux that runs on a 200MHz Intel processor with 64MB of main memory? Ian Cuthbert
Is this a serious question, or do you just want a plug for Linux? Either way, there are several small versions of Linux listed at http://bengross.com/smallunix.html. These include "live CDs" such as Knoppix, which let you experiment by running Linux from a CD without disturbing the version of Windows installed on the hard drive.
Damn Small Linux (www.damnsmalllinux.org) could be worth a go, and is claimed to run on a Pentium 486DX with only 16MB of memory. The main drawback is that it has its own desktop, and does not offer either Gnome or KDE. These are the two most popular Linux desktop environments, and worth learning. Also, even DSL needs 128MB to give its best, but memory is so cheap now that it always makes sense to fit the maximum convenient amount, if you can find the money.
How many Windows 98 users might be willing to switch is another matter. I'd assume their PCs work well enough to do what they need, as they have skipped several convenient and beneficial upgrades to Windows. Are they likely to risk a relatively inconvenient upgrade to a new operating system, which they will have to learn from scratch, just because Microsoft no longer supports it?
PCs running Windows 98/98SE and Me are going to keep on working exactly as they do today. Although Microsoft will not be supplying security patches, the old DOS-based versions of Windows are no longer primary targets for malware writers, so it may not make much practical difference. From a security point of view, it's probably more important to have a good firewall and anti-virus software (such as the free AVG). If using broadband, I'd also recommend installing a router with a built-in firewall rather than using a USB modem.
Comment: Careless readers should note that I'm not saying Linux isn't worth a try. I think it is. I just have strong doubts about how many Windows 98 users might be interested or adventurous enough to try it....
Backchat (in response to comments below): Last week, I suggested Damn Small Linux as a version that would run on a low-power PC. On the Ask Jack blog, sjwells53 says the "easiest small distro to use in a transition from Windows 9x is Puppy Linux. This actually looks like Windows 98 and runs very well as a live CD. It also installs very easily -- especially since version 2 appeared recently."
Also, I should not have said that Damn Small Linux would run on a "Pentium 486DX". The Pentium was a 586, as its name implies, and the 486DX chip was used before Intel changed its naming strategy. Sadly, the Sextium, Septium and Octium signally failed to appear.
