KDE on older/slower hardware

[Guest]

I have tried a few versions of Linux (RedHat, Ubuntu, LinuxMint) and I really love Kubuntu. The KDE interface has everything and is a joy to use. I have a couple of older Windows computers that I want to reuse for basic web access. In particular I want to use them to access secure banking websites. One is an Intel Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz with 747 MiB of RAM (that's what Kinfocenter tells me). I also have another old system with only 512 MiB RAM. So this is a two-part question:

1. What components of the OS can I disable and/or remove to make the system run snappier with the slower hardware? Remember, all I really need on here is a web browser.

2. What kinds of steps can I take to "harden" the system to make it less susceptible to malware?

Thanks!

[claydoh]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

1 ram is key here, so my minimum recommendation is 1gb. If you mostly just surf and browse, then probably anything over 512 is ok.

Turn off Strigi and nepomuk (desktop search and tagging). Disable desktop effects will help also, though you may be able to play with them depending on the video hardware. These are some basics, others may have other options as well. I run KDE 4.7 on an ancient 2.0 P4 laptop with 1 gb ram, but I do run a few background apps on it,, such as Kontact so it can bog down if I then open something huge loke Libreoffice.

2 Run Linux malware in general does not target or effect linux, neither do viruses.

[ardvark71]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

Hi....

Welcome to the forums

I would go so far as to say that 1 GB is the bare minimum, with more being recommended. In the past, I installed Ubuntu 10.04 on a system with 512 MB's and found performance to be sluggish.

I found Lubuntu to be a far better alternative. It runs much lighter yet, as part of the Ubuntu family, you can still use the repositories to download desired software. You can see my review of Lubuntu here. The only thing I would add is that once installation is completed, if you want to change the time format (on the lower right hand coner) from military to standard time, you have to go into the clock properties and change the code to: %I:%M %P

Hope this helps...

Regards...

[oshunluvr]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

I always recommend Bodhi linux on low-power boxes. Great desktop graphics without using a lot of power.

[ardvark71]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

I always recommend Bodhi linux on low-power boxes. Great desktop graphics without using a lot of power.

Hi...

I've never tried this distribution, looks like I have another OS to experiment with next time I get a chance.

By any chance is this distribution connected with "Bodhi.zazen," a moderator over at the Ubuntu forums?

Regards...

[ardvark71]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

Hi oshunluvr...

No idea, huh?

[dibl]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

http://www.wisdom-tree.com/

Apparently bodhi translates to "wisdom", so it's not unique to a person (who uses it for a screen name).

[arochester]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

Bodhi Linux is developed by Jeff Hoogland https://plus.google.com/102409778834...86/about?hl=en

Whether Jeff Hoogland is bodhi.zazen I don't know. I tend to think not. bodhi.zazen is more associated with Zenix Linux. http://zenix-os.net/

Bodhi refers to the Bodhi Tree. When the Buddha had done the rounds of "experts" he sat under the Bodhi Tree to either "bust a gut" or "break through". He is said to have became "enlightened" under the Bodhi Tree.

Zazen is the Zen practice of just sitting in mediatation

[SteveRiley]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

He is said to have became "enlightened" under the Bodhi Tree.

That explains the choice of desktop managers, then

[ardvark71]

Re: KDE on older/slower hardware

Thanks, guys

Regards...