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Announcing Oldschool Linux, a new branch project which will be using the Unity Linux base.
Table of Contents [hide]
What it will be ∞
- A distribution focused on oldschool platform emulation, demos, games, art and music.
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A slim distribution. The lightest possible tools will be used for every job, without sacrificing features or usability.
- Textmode tools and hotkeys will be preferred.
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Thorough. I’ll be packing in as much as possible, even if this means there is some duplication.
- I will still attempt to pick a best of breed for each application.
- A minimal windowing environment. Probably Openbox, possibly something else if it proves lighter.
- A general-purpose desktop distribution. While optimized for its oldschool tasks, it will have all the tools for everyday computer use. I intend to replace my existing installation with this one and use it full-time.
- A collection of the classics. Demos and music, and where possible: games and applications.
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Extraordinarily well-documented. Have you seen how much I write?
What it won’t be ∞
- It won’t be magical. I’ll be beginning with applications and configuration. Any really hard stuff won’t get done until I learn the skills or get help. That might be never.
- It won’t be an introduction to all things oldschool. Someone else can herd the noobs, I’m just putting all the tools in one place.
- It won’t be a small download. I’m packing as much into a CD-ROM as I possibly can.
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It won’t be a way to get illegal game or operating system ROMs.
- Depending on the terms of my hosting, I may or may not be linking to resources.
- Alternative options are welcome. Does anyone have a Swedish host? =)
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It won’t be a news portal or an up-to-date resource on everything oldschool.
- Links will be maintained to the various other sites which are good for that stuff.
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It won’t be something that will run on old computers.
- In fact, most emulation-related stuff requires a disgustingly capable computer. They say that an emulator needs 10x the processing power than the original. That’s not true, it needs way more.
- If Unity Linux creates a base targeting older computers, then I will examine the possibility of creating a sibling distribution which targets older computers.
Not decided ∞
- A logo or visual style.
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Hosting. I doubt I will ever purchase a domain name for this project. I’ll just use a subdomain at x.spiralofhope.com
For more info, see Oldschool Linux.
Looks like a nice new project to me. My best wishes to you for the project.
For the hosting part, I too think it would be better to use your own sub-domain initially. You can always later move to a full domain, if need be.
Thanks!
I agree, I’ll have to figure out a sub-domain. I also found free hosting, where I can do anything I want with it (no ads, I can post my own ads, mysql/php, etc)
But I definitely don’t want to have any administration requirements.. so I’m not sure what I’ll do. For now it’ll just be on this blog, until Unity Linux goes beta and I can begin the real work.
I recommend the Awesome Window Manager OR jwm :) Both are at or below requirements of openbox.
Openbox is my true love but those others will do nicely. Look at how slitaz does jwm.
Comparing features, it looks like Awesome is the one for me. Mouseless support, XCB, and they have a MediaWiki wiki.
But it looks like I might end up learning LUA.
Aside from picking best-of-breed for applications, I’ll be doing the same with window managers. I’ll do a more thorough review of each.
I’ll also have to learn the best ways to properly check resource consumption. I’ve got some notes around here somewhere.
Of course, the best way is to use an old computer and compare the subjective experience.. I don’t have one, but I do know of some software which is used to “burn” cycles and slow down a computer for this very purpose.
Lots of ideas..
And so it begins:
https://blog.spiralofhope.com/?p=261