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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Nostalgic Distros? (lemmy.world)

submitted 6 months ago by OpossumOnKeyboard@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.ml

72 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I tired Linux a few times in the past, but didn’t really start using seriously until 2019. I love poking around old OSs and distros, and I want to spin a few up in some VMs my next free evening.

Any suggestions? Open to any distro (or let’s be honest, DE). Any versions that holds a special place in your heart or that’s exceptionally novel? Really interested to see what’s out there!

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[–] lemmyvore@feddit.nl 9 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Red Hat used to be a really solid choice for desktop back in the 90s and early 2000s. Some milestone releases:

6.2 was the first version to put up ISO images for install. This is the one to get if you really want a blast from the past (early version of anaconda installer, ext2, LILO bootloader, Linux 2.2, Gnome 1 etc.)
7.3 was the last version to come with the Netscape browser.
9.0 was the last version before they split into Fedora and RHEL. It's the last and most mature desktop release of that era, included the "Bluecurve" unified look and feel introduced in 8.0 but had bugfixed versions of KDE and Gnome.

[–] LeFantome@programming.dev 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

What do you mean 6.2 was the first version to put up ISO images for install? I installed 5.2 from ISO not long ago. I have installed 4.2 in the past.

I think it was 4.2 that came with the “awesome” window manager.

[–] lemmyvore@feddit.nl 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Before 6.2 you had to get them on actual CDs which wasn't an option in many places. Starting with 6.2 they put them online on FTP.

[–] LeFantome@programming.dev 1 points 6 months ago

I may be remembering wrong but I am sure I got CD images off FTP for earlier versions as well.

I have been downloading Linux since grabbing floppy images of SLS, used Red Hat for years, and do not remember having more than one version on actual CD that I did not burn myself ( for sure never DVD ).

[–] afSegelhud@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

Yes. I think around Red Hat 6 was the first time I compiled the kernel to make sure some hardware worked. Good times