Neowin Forums > Macintosh and Linux

Mouse3020

Mar 20 2005, 21:00

I've been wanting to put Linux on my iMac for a while now, but I get confused with all the distro options out there, and I've heard that not all of them will run on my computer.

Hardware Overview:

Machine Model: iMac
CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (2.1)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 800 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB
Memory: 512 MB
Bus Speed: 100 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.4.5f3
Serial Number: W824628KN0S

Any suggestions on a distro, considering I have no Linux experience.

g-n-t

Mar 20 2005, 21:06

macs arent the bet place to start using linux in. the ppc distros arent as mature as most of the x86 ones.

there is yellowdog, and i think there is also ubuntu. there is gentoo for macs as well, but probably not a very good idea for a noob. yellowdog is probably the best choice at the moment.

if you have vmware/virtualpc(although i dont htink virtual pc runs linux too well), you can try some of hte x86 distros like mandrake and fedora to get your feet wet.

Rudy

Mar 20 2005, 21:09

QUOTE(g-n-t @ Mar 20 2005, 13:06)

macs arent the bet place to start using linux in. the ppc distros arent as mature as most of the x86 ones.

there is yellowdog, and i think there is also ubuntu. there is gentoo for macs as well, but probably not a very good idea for a noob. yellowdog is probably the best choice at the moment.

if you have vmware/virtualpc(although i dont htink virtual pc runs linux too well), you can try some of hte x86 distros like mandrake and fedora to get your feet wet.
[right][snapback]585644433[/snapback][/right]

wtf are you talking about ?? most distro have a ppc port which is just as uptodate as their x86 conterpart (mandrake has a ppc version)

kyro

Mar 20 2005, 21:16

almost all good distros have PPC support. yellowdowlinux is the most famous for getting MAC hardware things working (almost all ) and others do good too.

again i will suggest ubuntu ( as i do on other threads) if you are new to this and Gentoo if you have time and enthusiasm for linux.

Edit :- linus is doing same with his G5 .. running linux on it.. but which distro is TOP SECRET.

Mouse3020

Mar 20 2005, 21:18

Thanks for the input.

Lechio

Mar 20 2005, 22:28

All distros (that i know of) have an optimized version to run on ppc. Not
just the kernel but all of the apps that come with it. Those hardware specs are pretty
fine to run any distribuiton of linux with the full set of apps WM's and all you need to
make that machine a Linux desktop (guessing here you intend to use it as a desktop). In
fact the G5 processor (well the latest ones) are known to run graphical tasks faster
(due to their design and optimized architecture) when compared to the standard X86 or even
64-bit processor. So go ahead and pic a distro of yor choice

darkz

Mar 21 2005, 05:20

QUOTE(kyro @ Mar 20 2005, 22:16)

Edit :- linus is doing same with his G5 .. running linux on it.. but which distro is TOP SECRET.
[right][snapback]585644484[/snapback][/right]

He should have his own distro

xGo

Mar 21 2005, 05:42

DistroWatch.com
I would recommend Mandrake and Ubuntu...

Mathiasdm

Mar 21 2005, 06:13

QUOTE(darkz @ Mar 21 2005, 07:20)

He should have his own distro

[right][snapback]585646596[/snapback][/right]

He has his own kernel

gogosama

Mar 21 2005, 15:03

i would suggest yellow dog because it is optimied for ppc architecture and has the most support and user base

Nichotin

Mar 21 2005, 16:41

I have some experience with running Linux on Mac. I have gentoo running on a beige g3 desktop (266mhz) and a 8600 w/g4 400mhz upgrade. I must say Gentoo was the best I could get for those machines. Gentoo does not get in the way, and you got whatever application you need in portage (and that is a real savior when ppc patches are needed and such). It may initially take some time to set up, but it is worth it.

Knight'

Mar 21 2005, 17:02

QUOTE(darkz @ Mar 21 2005, 06:20)

He should have his own distro

[right][snapback]585646596[/snapback][/right]

That would own

Gowcra

Mar 21 2005, 17:04

Tis True

Axel

Mar 21 2005, 17:10

Why on earth would anyone want to put Linux on a Mac

Knight'

Mar 21 2005, 19:02

QUOTE(Axel @ Mar 21 2005, 18:10)

Why on earth would anyone want to put Linux on a Mac

[right][snapback]585648522[/snapback][/right]

Because not everyone is << removed >>.

El_Cu_Guy

Mar 21 2005, 19:06

Linus has stated in the past that he has used a few distros. These usually depend on his work environment. Although he has mentioned that he uses SuSE at home.

QUOTE

Why on earth would anyone want to put Linux on a Mac

A number of reasons. Perhaps, oh, I dunno, prolong the lifespan of the hardware? Not all Macs can run OSX.

Why would you wanna run it on an Xbox or PS2 (w/HDD)? Same reason(s).

Mouse3020

Mar 21 2005, 23:29

I've tried getting Gentoo, but all the sites I try to download it from are unavailable and I can't tell which BiTorrent link I need, any suggestions, I want to try and avoid buying the CDs myself.

CaKeY

Mar 22 2005, 00:00

QUOTE(Mouse3020 @ Mar 21 2005, 19:29)

I've tried getting Gentoo, but all the sites I try to download it from are unavailable and I can't tell which BiTorrent link I need, any suggestions, I want to try and avoid buying the CDs myself.
[right][snapback]585650356[/snapback][/right]

http://www.gentoo.org/main/en/mirrors.xml
None of these work for you?

Mouse3020

Mar 22 2005, 00:03

All of the sites I try give me a "server no longer available" message, any idea why?

g-n-t

Mar 22 2005, 07:13

QUOTE(darkz @ Mar 21 2005, 06:20)

He should have his own distro

[right][snapback]585646596[/snapback][/right]

first, he doesnt have enough time.

second, it goes against the whole idea of linux. everyone would use LinusOS just because he made it, killing choice.

"That would own"

^proof. hes already switched to an OS that doesnt even exist