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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linux on old School Machines? (lemmy.world)

submitted 5 months ago by puck@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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Hi all, the private school I work at has a tonne of old windows 7/8 era desktops in a student library. The place really needs upgrades but they never seem to prioritise replacing these machines. Ive installed Linux on some older laptops of mine and was wondering if you all think it would be worth throwing a light Linux distro on the machines and making them somewhat usable for a web browsing experience for students? They’re useless as is, running ancient windows OS’s. We’re talking pre-7th gen i5’s and in some cases pentium machines here.

Might be pointless but wonder what you guys think?

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[–] azvasKvklenko@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Just throw a USB stick on them and boot something like Linux Mint (defaults are pretty similar to Windows, should be obvious to anyone how to use it) to see how it runs with no installation and maybe showcase that to someone who could decide explaining briefly what it is and how it’s more lightweight.

I assume these have still some mechanical drives and that will probably be their biggest slow down. Upgrading to SSDs (which is still a lot cheaper than full computers) would bring them second life.

The i5’s have plenty of power for web browsing machines and can still be pretty snappy. Pentiums (4’s?) not so much, but it’s also worth trying