this post was submitted on 14 Jan 2025
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Linux

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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 distro for 14* year old laptop? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by narr1@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Hello all,

So I have this old Samsung RV520 laptop. You can see the specs there. I've installed and reinstalled a few different linux distros on it for the past 12 years or so, the last one being Arch (btw) which is what I use as my daily driver on my main desktop as well (by the btw). But I really don't need this laptop anymore, so I was thinking I'd give it as a birthday present to my friend's son, who turns 2 this month. It would be used as a "media station" to basically just play kids' videos from Youtube.

The problem is that I basically need to install an extremely windows-like (or otherwise simple) distro on it, because while my linux-fu is somewhat high level, my friend uses windows daily so system maintenance must be simple. Ubuntu is for me the obvious choice, but I'm not sure if the laptop can even run it anymore :D of course the HDD in it is also 16 years old and I'm pretty sure I'll upgrade it to an SSD before set up. So, taking all this preamble into account, what would you recommend? Some Ubuntu-derivative, pure Debian, maybe even Arch with linux-lts? Give me your thoughts!

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[–] jbloggs777@discuss.tchncs.de 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You have an opportunity. Give him a pre-installed Linux and a terminal, along with a page of commands that he can run to do neat things... including starting the GUI to watch his favourite (ideally pre-downloaded) videos, running some demos, etc.

Don't make it too easy, but not too hard (2 you said? Can type a few characters though..)... Add to it over the years, unlocking the power, and guiding him to discover more by himself.

Kids won't become tech savvy if we hand everything to them on a silver platter, with touch screens, controllers, and flashy games. It can be bland and boring, until they do something.

It might just be the most life changing gift they ever receive.

[–] narr1@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Oh yeah, that sounds good. He's a smart kid already, for sure, and his dad is an old nerd (like me tbh, except 10 years my senior) so yeah, might just do something like this... But maybe at first keep it as a Youtube-machine, until he learns to speak and comprehend more stuff. But thank you for the idea, though! Really didn't consider this before.

[–] not_amm@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 day ago

That would be wonderful! I got the opportunity to try Linux when I was like 5 (didn't know it was Linux) and even though I was already very interested in computers, I didn't know I was using Linux nor how capable it was.

It took time until I had my own laptop and could start learning new things, and only knowing about Linux from afar since I wasn't able to install it myself and didn't have any adults that could teach me, but you could be that person to this kid (if they're interested in the future ofc)!