An official real retro puppy?
Posted: Wed 06 May 2009, 00:03
G'day,
Is there a need for a divergence in Puppy development? please treat this as a discussion piece, it is not presenting a critical review
This question arises from using Puppy 4.2 (retro) on my old computer. PII 400mhz 64mbs (actually conky only registers 59mbs). I have usually installed the latest version of puppy on this computer but have reverted back to 3.01 retro due to increasingly sluggish behaviour. This actually got me thinking.
I first stumbled across Puppy Linux as I was looking for an alternative to the ridiculously out-of-date Windows 98 for my old computers. Do a google search for "linux for old hardware" Puppy Linux is invariably recommended or referred to in the article or thread. I tried Puppy 2.14 and it worked way better than Windows 98, so I was stoked.
I first attempted Ubuntu for the loptop and there wasn't much difference between it and XP.
Then I put Puppy on my laptop and it quickly replaced Windows XP. (Currently 3.01 KDE and Newyearspup) - my laptop is around 3 years old and it has amazing performance. So I was hooked that not only could I use my 10+ year old computer that it would also work on my newer laptop bringing much greater performance.
So it was always my belief that Puppy Linux was focussed on restoring usability to older hardware. To me there lies a fundamental philosophical intent.
* It recycles old computers into usability instead of landfill.
* It allows you to extend the life of your current computer so you do not have get a new one - this is in direct opposition to the Microsoft philosophy and some of the bigger Linux distributions
* People and families who are struggling financially are able to own an inexpensive computer (volunteering in a charity I see the harsh reality of people struggling - and it's getting worse)
An added bonus was that it could be used on newer tech, but that is not the case anymore.Now it seems the technology gap has created an issue for the Puppy Linux development. As MU has already stated (and rightly I believe) that people want the latest technology to work with Puppy; (this may be an assumption but) this new technology will only work with later kernels resulting in a more sophisticated Operating System. This may mean in the near future older computers may not be able to install Puppy Linux.
An additional issue is that development of older kernel versions of Puppy, that work well on older computers, (that don't need the sophistication of the latest technology) halts. No new packages are made even though programmes are still being developed that will work on older versions of Puppy.
Could it be possible to create two distinct official versions of Puppy Linux?
The cutting edge version which 4.2 has begun and looks set to continue with the 5 series and a real retro version. I was hoping that the 5 series would be more usable on older hardware but I have realised that this may be an unrealistic expectation.
Retro Puppy (aka Dobson) - to create the most outstanding, functional, and aesthetic Operating System with a complete and expanding Package Library that is designed to work (fully operational) on computers that can only handle Windows 98. To become the first port of call for people looking for an Operating System to use on their old computer.
Comments please....
Cheers
Martin
Is there a need for a divergence in Puppy development? please treat this as a discussion piece, it is not presenting a critical review
This question arises from using Puppy 4.2 (retro) on my old computer. PII 400mhz 64mbs (actually conky only registers 59mbs). I have usually installed the latest version of puppy on this computer but have reverted back to 3.01 retro due to increasingly sluggish behaviour. This actually got me thinking.
I first stumbled across Puppy Linux as I was looking for an alternative to the ridiculously out-of-date Windows 98 for my old computers. Do a google search for "linux for old hardware" Puppy Linux is invariably recommended or referred to in the article or thread. I tried Puppy 2.14 and it worked way better than Windows 98, so I was stoked.
I first attempted Ubuntu for the loptop and there wasn't much difference between it and XP.
Then I put Puppy on my laptop and it quickly replaced Windows XP. (Currently 3.01 KDE and Newyearspup) - my laptop is around 3 years old and it has amazing performance. So I was hooked that not only could I use my 10+ year old computer that it would also work on my newer laptop bringing much greater performance.
So it was always my belief that Puppy Linux was focussed on restoring usability to older hardware. To me there lies a fundamental philosophical intent.
* It recycles old computers into usability instead of landfill.
* It allows you to extend the life of your current computer so you do not have get a new one - this is in direct opposition to the Microsoft philosophy and some of the bigger Linux distributions
* People and families who are struggling financially are able to own an inexpensive computer (volunteering in a charity I see the harsh reality of people struggling - and it's getting worse)
An added bonus was that it could be used on newer tech, but that is not the case anymore.Now it seems the technology gap has created an issue for the Puppy Linux development. As MU has already stated (and rightly I believe) that people want the latest technology to work with Puppy; (this may be an assumption but) this new technology will only work with later kernels resulting in a more sophisticated Operating System. This may mean in the near future older computers may not be able to install Puppy Linux.
An additional issue is that development of older kernel versions of Puppy, that work well on older computers, (that don't need the sophistication of the latest technology) halts. No new packages are made even though programmes are still being developed that will work on older versions of Puppy.
Could it be possible to create two distinct official versions of Puppy Linux?
The cutting edge version which 4.2 has begun and looks set to continue with the 5 series and a real retro version. I was hoping that the 5 series would be more usable on older hardware but I have realised that this may be an unrealistic expectation.
Retro Puppy (aka Dobson) - to create the most outstanding, functional, and aesthetic Operating System with a complete and expanding Package Library that is designed to work (fully operational) on computers that can only handle Windows 98. To become the first port of call for people looking for an Operating System to use on their old computer.
Comments please....
Cheers
Martin