Question about anyone who know a lot about linux OS's

[ninjamonkey]

I have a question. Does anyone know if linux operating systems are small in file size?

[lifeisbetterwithketchup]

They can be. Look up Damn Small Linux and Puppy Linux.

[bicostp]

Depends.

The actual kernel itself is fairly small (can run on a slow 486, if I remember right), but it doesn't do crap on its own.

After you load up the basics (everything from a network stack to X), the biggest variable is the window manager. You have ones as small and minimal as Fluxbox, up to the fairly large GNOME. (KDE is even bigger, but they completely ruined it with 4.0 so don't bother.) FluxBox basically spits windows at you, GNOME includes a file manager, a lot fo configuration tools, and doesn't require you to change all your settings manually in a text editor. That isn't even talking about compositing wrappers (the 3D cube thing and Jell-O windows), since they'll add a lot of system overhead.

Then you have software. You can get OpenOffice, a spinoff of Sun's StarOffice that takes up about as much space as the equivelant MS Office 2003 components (450 MB), to the 16 MB AbiWord (which is basically just Word), to <500k word processors that do as much as WordPad and 1986's MacWrite.

As far as installed size goes, that can vary anywhere from the 50 MB Damn Small Linux to Ubuntu 8.1's 2GB requirement for a full desktop install. (source.) If you don't install a GUI, your system will be a lot smaller, but practically useless for non-server use. Also note the 50 MB OS isn't nearly as full-featured as a full OS. (I just keep a copy of it around as a recovery boot disc for salvaging clients' data.)

Like everything else about Linux, hard drisk requirements vary tremendously depending on what you want to do with it.

[ninjamonkey]

Alright. thanks, to add on to this question. Do you guys know about the UMID M1? Since I've just made a decision that the pandora isn't a good option for me (since it can't play goldeneye an goldeneye source or halo or the good games); I've been thinking of buying this. Thing is I want to know if you can upgrade te graphics card. If you can it would be greatness, I could play halo, and GE source on the go. Plus, awesome online n64 emu on the go. I would upgrade it with Nvidia GeForce 9400 graphics chip. So yup, what is you guys opinion on this?

[vskid]

That MID is lucky if it'll run games better than the Pandora. You can't swap a better GPU into it, few full-size laptops even have dedicated GPUs that are switchable. I highly doubt it'll be fast enough to run any Source games at a decent speed (if at all). My brother's EEE 900HA runs Halo like crap even at the lowest setting, and its more powerful than that MID. I bet a pretty good N64 emulator will be available for the Pandora within a few months of its release (whenever that is).
If you want to run Source games on a pocket size device, this concept is your best bet. Nothing like it will be available for a few months, and it may even have to be custom made.

[ninjamonkey]

Thing is the pandora has no real good things on it in my opinion. I though it was cool in the first place. Plus, the people on the forums being jerks about my ideas for the system which I couldnt implement (due to the lack of coding abilities). The only game thats near good in mind is TINCS (its like counter strike sort of. and there are a few other emulators. Its a complete linux system, which has not that many games. I want to find something I can play FPS on and online without carrying a monitor and a desktop around or a laptop.

[palmertech]

The people on the GP32X forums are all jerks. That said, you do need to try researching a bit before posting; They are just not as forgiving as us.

Gonna give it to you straight: Currently, there are no UMPC/MID devices that can run halo or source games well under $1500. If you can drop that kind of cash, I have several options I could give you.

The Pandora can run Quake 3, and all the mods for it. When the source for Doom 3 is released, it will also run that, and all of its mods. And don't say the Pandora does not have many games; It is not even OUT yet.

Long story short: Get a PSP, a Pandora, or be prepared to spend at least $1500 USD for a UMPC with 1-2 hours of battery life.

[Rekarp]

I can get my EEE 701 to run the older Source games like CSS and Halflife2. Just force into DX7. Newer games like Ep2 and TF2 won't run in Dx7 mode. I can get about 35FPS in CSS. Drops down to 15FPS if lots of nades go off tho lol.