Legacy OS 2 & 4 are you a User? Who am I developing for?

For talk and support relating specifically to Puppy derivatives
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puppy-fan
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#31 Post by puppy-fan »

Hi John, thanks for the link and password to the repository. Is it possible to install the latest skype (4.1), or FF 19 on Legacy OS 4 mini, or would I break the system? Not sure that this old system could actually handle the newer apps though. :?

John, I was just re-reading some of the earlier posts made about who you're developing for and the type of systems that Legacy users have when the following thought crossed my mind. Legacy is truly amazing and works very well on antiquated hardware and with very low specs which made me think that a lot of obsolete computers throughout the world in places such as Latin America, India and China could be put put to use rather than end up being discarded. I know that you're a "one-man team" but is there some way to get the word out about Legacy OS, and find some volunteers who could translate and/or develop their own regional versions of Legacy OS?

Anyways, this idea just crossed my mind and it would be great if more people in the world could put old systems to good use, and maybe introduce some people to computers that would not otherwise have had the chance. John, thank you again for creating this great distro! :D

toomanyquestions
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Anybody know...

#32 Post by toomanyquestions »

I'm trying to configure the toolbar on the live cd (so as to avoid mistakes later).

I'm wondering what file(s) control the menu button & show desktop region on the left, and the systray/clock area on the right? Thanks in advance.

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john biles
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#33 Post by john biles »

Hello puppy-fan,
Testing of Skype 4 showed it requires newer libs (glibc 2.7 min) to run in Legacy OS 4 Mini. As this is a library connect to the kernel both the kernel etc need to be updated. This in Puppy requires a few tricks which other on the forum have experience in. For now I recommend that if Skype 2 is working to use it instead. Changing the kernel etc may get Skype 4 working but could cause other applications to stop working. It's a fine balancing act.

Hello toomanyquestions,
Please explain what your trying to achieve with the menu etc so I get a better understanding of what you want and if it's possible.
Legacy OS 2017 has been released.

toomanyquestions
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Toolbar edits

#34 Post by toomanyquestions »

john biles wrote: Hello toomanyquestions,
Please explain what your trying to achieve with the menu etc so I get a better understanding of what you want and if it's possible.
Well, on the left there is an applications button and show desktop icon, I'd love to shorten (compress) the applications button a little (to provide a little more room on the toolbar/task bar) Is this done by shortening the image used?

And to the right of the toolbar/taskbar, the systray is followed by cpu, free memory, and the clock. I'd like to eliminate the cpu & free memory graphic, and also edit the clock format & systray contents.

I've played w/the icewm preferences file...commenting things out, etc. The changes don't show up on the live cd - even after I restart x.
Last edited by toomanyquestions on Fri 22 Feb 2013, 16:36, edited 1 time in total.

Pelo

Tellico : Your computing Hardware

#35 Post by Pelo »

Tellico can easily manage a personnal collection. I choosed to use wines collection and change the colums to manage my computing wares.
Tellico is nowadays the only collection manager in Puppy.
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john biles
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#36 Post by john biles »

Hello toomanyquestions,
The configure file for Icewm is hidden under icewm in the root directory. Once in .icewm click on themes > click on Legacy OS 2 > and the configure file is the file called default.theme play around with the font sizes at the bottom to adjust sizes. in the file lines 108 and 109 are a good place to start.

On the right quick launch bar right mouse click over it and select "edit configuration" a box with open with the settings. delete the group call "CPU" and save. Now right mouse click over the quick launch bar again and select "reload configuration" and the CPU settings will be gone. You'll have to experiment with other settings to create what you want. adjust one setting at a time save and reload to see the effect. Good Luck !
Legacy OS 2017 has been released.

Puppyt
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#37 Post by Puppyt »

Hi John,
sorry to rehash the old chestnut of wi-fi capability in Legacy 2. I just tested your project on an old ex-military Opentec, PIII at 500MHz, 512MB RAM, cd-rom only, missing hdd and BIOS only able to boot from hdd and cd, not USB. Legacy worked like a charm - even from cd/ram it was hard to imagine the box was over 12yo in responsiveness.
Now, the thing weighs a ton because it's built like a Sherman Tank, but still it got me thinking that old laptops of around 2000 would really be competitive with modern netbooks. With a light, purpose-built Puppy2 series with wi-fi capabilities I mean. Legacy2 networking worked OOTB with ETHO, but as you have previously taken pains to explain, the Broadcom* wi-fi card in the PCMCIA slot will need perseverance on the user's behalf. I wonder if you could please provide a pointer (a link maybe) in using Legacy2's wifi assistant? No rush - just thought I'd give a quick report on what I have it working on,
Cheers.

*errr, bcm43 I'm pretty sure - card normally gets picked up automagically in other pupplets/laptops
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john biles
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#38 Post by john biles »

Hello Puppyt,
I included some Wifi Driver which you'll find under /my-documents/help-info in Legacy OS 2. Forum User tempestuous has compiled a bcm43 wifi driver which isn't included in Legacy OS 2. You may have to blacklist a file please read link below to get driver and how to use it. Pet package is broadcom-5.100.82.38-k2.6.18.1.pet

Please let me know how you go!

http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewto ... 3&start=15
Legacy OS 2017 has been released.

Puppyt
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#39 Post by Puppyt »

Bewdy! Thanks John :) Will feedback on the OS2 forum though later when home.
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toomanyquestions
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!!!

#40 Post by toomanyquestions »

john biles wrote:Hello toomanyquestions,
The configure file for Icewm is hidden under icewm in the root directory. ....You'll have to experiment with other settings to create what you want. adjust one setting at a time save and reload to see the effect. Good Luck !
Thanks!!!

slimhunter
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#41 Post by slimhunter »

Hi Mr. john biles, I just got registered after reading this thread to say thank you for your effort and give my impression both as a user and as a "puppy spreader".

As said in some previous posts, Legacy OS should be kept alive because we really need an OS that can bring back to life some REALLY old machines. I'm not talking about Pentium 4, I'm talking about Pentium III with not more than 384mb ram or even older machines.

In order to do that, I think that some "trimming" could be helpful: the best choice would be the one of offering apps that are as lightweight as possible, just like we can see in distros like Damn Small; also, I think that Legacy OS should take the place of DSL, which came back recently with a senseless RC version that didn't give to the user real updates.

This should be the moment for doing what they didn't, choosing old (but still good and working) apps that can help people to avoid buying a new computer instead of getting a better OS for their old machine.

For example, Firefox Bon Echo was great for just surfing online, but now is dead and unaccepted by major sites like Youtube; I'd just update it to a little bit earlier release instead of jumping to - example - FF v18.
Or instead, i'd choose another app, just like netsurf or midori.

Excuse me if i haven't been clear enough in explaining my POV, i hope you'll understand what i meant.

Keep up the good work, old computers and technicians from repair centers (like me) will always thank you.

M.

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john biles
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#42 Post by john biles »

Hello slimhunter,
Dawn Small Linux development dried up when their main developer left to start Tiny Core Linux. My feeling with Dawn Small is by releasing a new so called RC those running it were hoping to attract some interest from programmers. Because as it stands they don't have the right knowledgeable lead programmer to carry them forward.

Now back to Legacy OS...
In order to do that, I think that some "trimming" could be helpful: the best choice would be the one of offering apps that are as lightweight as possible, just like we can see in distros like Damn Small; also, I think that Legacy OS should take the place of DSL, which came back recently with a senseless RC version that didn't give to the user real updates.
Legacy OS 2 will never be trimmed to cut it down to size. Just because it contains a large selection of Apps doesn't mean it won't run on old Pentium's or run slower. Extra Apps are only there for those who want to use them.
For example, Firefox Bon Echo was great for just surfing online, but now is dead and unaccepted by major sites like Youtube; I'd just update it to a little bit earlier release instead of jumping to - example - FF v18.
Or instead, i'd choose another app, just like netsurf or midori.
To keep Legacy OS 2 running well on old hardware I try and keep its base system locked back in 2007. I do this because every version update on average makes a package bigger and slower as developers try to add more features. While this is fantastic for those with new hardware it is of no use to Legacy OS 2 and those who want to use it.

For Web Browsing Opera has been a godsend as it can provide a modern Internet experience while still be able to run against these old system files. Firefox, Chrome, Netsurf and Midori require a newer system to run.

Legacy OS 2 comes with Opera 10 but for a better experience you need to install Opera 12 which you can download from here: http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=68499

Before you do anything have a read as there's a special way to install apps which once learnt is very easy to do.

An Update Pack is on the way but life commitments are preventing me from finishing it at the moment.
Legacy OS 2017 has been released.

slimhunter
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#43 Post by slimhunter »

Glad to see that you've answered to my doubts :)

I just have to specify one more thing; you said "Legacy OS 2 will never be trimmed to cut it down to size."...well, that ain't what i meant ^_^
I just wanted to suggest the use of apps lighter in terms of system requirements, which doesn't mean that you have to opt for an app requiring less space on disk. That's all, i'll wait for your new update...whenever you want mate, thanks again :P

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john biles
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#44 Post by john biles »

Hello slimhunter,
A close look at version numbers of most of the apps installed will find they aren't the bloated versions included in most Distro's. Lets look at Bodhi 2.2 32 bit version it's a 541mb size download with a handful of default apps. Legacy OS 2 as you know is a 698mb download. I cram a lot in those extra 157mb's.

If an app runs too slow even on 10 year old hardware it is either down graded to an earlier version that does or not included at all.

I think basically we're on the same page with this.

Also feel free to make any comments you like good or bad as it won't offend me. :D
Legacy OS 2017 has been released.

slimhunter
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#45 Post by slimhunter »

Totally convinced by your answers and by the hope of another juicy update, I decided to install LegacyOS 4 Mini on another "brand new" computer (lol, P3 800mhz, 384mb sdram)...but for the first time it gave me some headaches: when it tries to load the SFS in ram, it goes in kernel panic (not syncing, out of memory) and i can't boot for installing puppy. I tried several times to boot with the argument "pfix=noram", but it looks like it's being ignored :shock:
Any suggestions?

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john biles
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#46 Post by john biles »

Hello slimhunter,
On some computers this has been a long standing problem which originates from the creator of Puppy (Barry K) belief that Puppy would aways be under 256mb's in size. When Developers like me come a long and increase the size of the iso above 256mb's his script or file decides to try and load the sfs file in to ram that's not big enough anyway. In the past I've posted for advice on this which never ended with a solution except one!

If you can pull out some RAM so you only have 128mb's Legacy OS 4 Mini will run off the CD and allow a full Hard Drive install. I use this trick all the time. Once Legacy OS 4 Mini is installed, replace the RAM and away you go.
Legacy OS 2017 has been released.

slimhunter
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#47 Post by slimhunter »

great, it worked like a charm!! now i'm cross testing with other puplets too and i'm really happy with the results...thanks so much mr. biles :)

slimhunter
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#48 Post by slimhunter »

i've got to suggest a really useful pet: minitube.

it's an app that lets you see youtube vids at good quality and from a destop interface without using flash. you'll be able to see videos without lag even in a crappy pc as the p3 800mhz i'm using right now. it it's already available for dpup exprimo and i've tried it in the past with a previous xubuntu 9.04 install.

check it out, it could be a killer app for this distro, it'll help you to fill the lack of many other distros for old PCs ;)

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sullysat
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Legacy OS 4 Mini is now mirrored

#49 Post by sullysat »

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I've added Legacy OS 4 Mini to my Puppy page, so now both versions of Legacy OS are available there.

Thanks to John for all the hard work! It's a real gem and I appreciate your efforts.

Cheers,
Sully
Puppy Files Mirror - [b][url]http://www.wisdom-seekers.com/puppy.html[/url][/b]
Classic Puppy Page - [b][url]http://www.wisdom-seekers.com/puppy214x.html[/url][/b]

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Colonel Panic
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#50 Post by Colonel Panic »

Just to bump this; now that I'm back on my old computer, I decided to do a full install of OS4 to a clean partition. It worked well and looked great (especially with the Karamba sidebar) until I opened an old Open Office spreadsheet file in Gnumeric with Firefox still running. At this point my system froze and I had to "break" the display with Ctrl-Alt-Delete - after which I wasn't able to get XOrg back and had to revert to XVesa, which I dislike.

I'm using Puppy Deeper Thought for the time being, which I like anyway so it's not a disaster for me, but I'd still like to get the X Windows installation back properly in os4. Could someone please tell me how to do that?

Best,

CP .
Gigabyte M68MT-52P motherboard, AMD Athlon II X4 630, 5.8 GB of DDR3 RAM and a 250 GB Hitachi hard drive running Ubuntu 16.04.6, MX-19.2, Peppermint 10, PCLinuxOS 20.02, LXLE 18.04.3, Pardus 19.2, exGENT 200119, Bionic Pup 8.0 and Xenial CE 7.5 XL.

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