…So my hands got itchy again and I tried to play with Linux (again), this time booting up PuppyLinux 4.3.1 from a USB thumb drive on a Dell Inspiron 710m laptop. I figured, since all my important documents are backed up already, what the heck.
The bootable usb drive was created with the Universal usb installer tool from pendrivelinux.com. I’m using a 256Mb iomega drive that’s like 8 years old. (i’d wanted to try out Haiku, actually, but it seems like the applications are still quite limited and I don’t really know much about it (can it read other filesystems, how easy do things work), so…nah.)
So. First thoughts:
1. Installation was fast and straightforward.
2. It reads the Windows partition!
3. It’s fast.
4. Temperature seems to be okay…so far.
5. wireless wizard works like a breeze.
6. Sound/video works too.
Gripes:
1. File browser is kinda bleh. Could be better.
2. Range of applications on the Puppy Package Manager is kinda limited. Would need to learn how to install .rem/.deb packages.
3. …SeaMonkey crashed inexplicably while playing Hotel City on facebook. haha.
To do:
1. Figure out the filesystem (where exactly is root located?); how to create swap partition so more ram
2. Mount the Windows partition upon startup
3. Get a better web browser?
4. Import bookmarks/settings
5. Would there be a point to removing packages? Where do they exist anyway?
6. FIgure out how to Install .rem/.deb packages / compile from source
Conclusion:
Nice to be back on a clean fresh installed OS. Time has yet to tell whether I’ll stick to this one or have to go back to Windows because I’m too used to the software installed there.
(commonly used software in Windows: Google Chrome, MS Office, Q10, foobar, latex?, vim, adobe pdf)
