Since there has been renewed discussion about using Linux on older
PowerMacs, and a discussion about the pros and cons of using supported
and/or unofficially supported distros, I am wondering what other
people are using and why.  I am also wondering about how easy it was
to actually set it up and what problems you had and how you overcame
them.  Finally, what hardware works and what doesn't.  Thanx

(one of) My System(s):

PowerBook Wallstreet Series II
Stock 266Mhz G3
384MB RAM
40GB Seagate hard drive
CD ROM
Battery
14.1" display
DLink wireless card

Distro:  openSUSE v11.0 RC1  Been using SuSE since v5.3 in 1999

What works:  Display(no 3d), onboard network, battery meter, sound

What I had problems with:

Backlight(older kernels had a problem - it's fixed now).
Wireless:  Had to compile the madwifi driver.
MESH SCSI driver causes a kernel panic and reboots(sporatic -
sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't).

What doesn't work:  Internal Modem.

Performance:

Desktop can be kinda slow.  Web browsing can be slow on graphics heavy
sites.  Definately want to upgrade to a G4/500 soon.  Video playback
doesn't work well due to slow cpu.  Can run it in low res mode tho.

Wow, that's definitely pared down to the bone for running SuSE 11.
I would have thought you would be better served by running SuSE 7.0 or
something lime that, just to let your machine catch a breath. Although in
saying that the G3 is a great processor and those Wallstreets are fine
laptops.
I run Debian 4.0 on my own laptop an iBook G4 1Ghz. I runs pretty fast but I
haven't been able to get the 3d desktop to work and I don't think I've ever
tried to use the inbuilt modem. I got the AIrport express card to work by
downloading the firmware using an included package on the Debian DVD.
The only thing that concerns me is the fact that the fan often kicks in and
runs quite loudly under Debian. The fan activating is a very rare thing
under Tiger and so this concerns me.
Other than that everyting is fine and if defintely works faster than Mac OS
X on the same hardware.

On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 12:05 AM, Larry Stotler <larrystot...@gmail.com>
wrote:

--
Dale O'Gorman
dpogor...@gmail.com

On Jun 10, 6:24 am, "Dale O'Gorman" <dpogor...@gmail.com> wrote:

Actually, I've installed v11.0 on a 6500/250 with the stock
processor.  Now, that was SLOW.  Yes, the G3 is a little sluggish, but
I'm hoping to get a G4/500 for it soon.  I had a G3/466, and that was
responsive, but it didn't play XviDs very well, and the G4 is much
better for video decoding.

Some of the openSUSE guys say that you have to manually edit the
xorg,conf file to get 3d to work.  No idea why yet.  I don't really
need 3d on the Wallstreet, but having DRI working properly would help.

They now have an atheros driver in the kernel for the newer cards,
though it is still in development.  Wireless is definately one area
that needs improvement, but it's partly the manufacturer's problem by
not offering support for their products.

How much RAM do you have in it?

Thanx