Well, running on a 386 is pretty hardcore, but most Linux packages built for 32-bit systems have their architecture listed as i386 implying at least binary compatibility with the earliest 32-bit x86 processors... and the Linux kernel itself has 686 builds distinct from the i386 builds, further implying the i386 kernels have support for the oldest 32-bit processors. Probably not even worth trying to run a Linux DE on such an old machine, but a purely CLI setup might work... Though, does the old machine even have a CD-ROM drive or USB ports to support modern install media? Even if you could get it on to floppies, a Debian netinst would require several stacks tall as a person and if the old machine also lacked ethernet... well, it's hard to imagine than many floppy disks in one place. On 6/1/23, Linux for blind general discussion <blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > How much machine do I need to run some version of linux? Can I get > something to run on a 386 or 486? Or maybe I should just make a DOS > machine? Thanks. > > Howard > > > On 6/1/2023 10:19 AM, Linux for blind general discussion wrote: >> Hi all, I want a distro which is relatively stable, but not hard to >> keep some components up to date, especially accessibility components >> like Orca, as well as Firefox. In principle, I don't want a full >> desktop environment, just enough to run Firefox plus Orca, and >> possibly other desktop apps later. I have successfully set up >> ratpoison a few years ago with the help of the Strychnine script >> developed by Storm, so maybe the easiest path is to get it again. >> >> I'd like opinions on the distro to use. ArchLinux has the advantage of >> requiring few disk space and always having the latest software, but >> I've tried it some years ago, and it appears too prone to break >> things, especially the audio stuff due to constant upgrading. Is it >> still true today? Another option is Debian unstable, which I've never >> tried. Does it use to break too? I've also read about VoidLinux. Has >> anyone tried it yet? I know about Slint as well, but the manual states >> that it requires 50 gb disk space at least, and I'm currently out of >> disk space, around 15 gb at most. >> >> Thanks for comments, >> Cleverson >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Blinux-list mailing list >> Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx >> https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list >> > -- > If this were an actual tagline, it _might_ be funny. > > _______________________________________________ > Blinux-list mailing list > Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx > https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list > _______________________________________________ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx https://listman.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list