MiniMe - Users of *

[Tony]

I'm trying to understand the the differences between the smaller installs, MiniMe, ZenMini, E17, Openbox, as this section is assigned for problems related to these smaller installations.

I use MiniMe, have done for about 2 years. I found the full PCLinuxOS too much housework, unnecessary programs like Fax, (etc.) and generally a lack of control of what was installed.

Basically I need a thread were I can collate questions, and answers.

Specific problems I would ask in another thread.

I also want to see what the other OS's are like, obviously by browsing this section.

Basically Texstar's sticky defines MiniMe - "...very basic KDE desktop without additional applications.
And Zen Mini - " ... a very basic Gnome desktop without additional applications."

It (They) are, "designed for advanced users, - or for users who wish to learn how to customize their system with the applications and support files they want to use."
I am not an Advanced User, I want control, and choice, which I know I have with Minime.

This is not a blog.

I hope to have a reference thread though, as I feel swamped by the other three Distros information and questions. MiniMe seems to be lagging in relation to newer installs, I'm not sure,  which without installing is very difficult to know, but simply reading some threads hopefully will broaden my knowledge.

I think MiniMe was one of the first "Smaller platforms" introduced, in the meantime I see Enlightenment (? - spelling / I need to read up on it ) as being very popular.
 
KDE I'm used to from my initial PCLinuxOS full installation, and I carried on from there.

Please feel free to comment on whether you feel a change from MiniMe to another minimal livecd may be desirable.

Thankyou.

[rubentje1991]

The packagers are recommended to use the MiniMe versions during packaging - because the bare minimum of packages installed in the system (easier to find the needed dependencies to package something particular)...

There are several Desktop Environments these days (some of them: KDE, Gnome, LXDE, Xfce, Enlightenment, Openbox, and probably I miss some of them   )
=> you can test these by installing the appropiate 'task-.....' packages in the package manager (Synaptic)...
=> for some of them, you have the 'full' and the 'minime' version (which just means what you said - full contains a bunch of applications; minime contains only the bare minimum)

There are differences between the minime-variations (often built by different people)...

Some special versions too  :
KDE-version which is a lot bigger (contains a LOT of applications) = Full Monty
Very very tiny variant: Openbox Bonsai
=> both made by community members....

[rubentje1991]

Excuse me, didn't read your post thoroughly...
=> I always look at the specs of the pc, before I install a version...

I already said that you can install the other Desktop Environments via Synaptic (task-.... packages)
=> test them on e.g. a test-machine (logical  ), or in VirtualBox (another possibility)

:: so, probably your system is powerful enough to use the 'heavy' KDE...
=> but that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to test the other possibilities
(I think you should test them -- we can't give you (much) experience with it by telling things about it; test them, undergo them, and then just use what you like; maybe someone else has a better suggestion, but I don't  )

[aguila]

I installed the KDE MiniMe version for my parents for three reasons:

1. slow internet

The fewer applications are installed, the smaller the updates the system has to pull from the net. Imo an important issue on a rolling release distro.

2. less menu clutter

only the apps they work with will show up in the menu. Most important apps have taskbar shortcuts additionally. Changed the menu style to 'kick-off' and put the apps for administering in the 'favourites' section.

3. control

Built on top of the MiniMe version the system is very lean and I will be able to repair anything much easier if there's less options for things to break.

Just my 2c

EDIT: my first idea was use Phoenix Mini for the above reasons, but I chose KDE in the end because

- I chose KMyMoney as personal financial app and didn't want to mix Gtk+ based apps into the install (for the above mentioned leanness reason)

- I'm using KDE and thus can support the GUI better than Xfce

[tedlane]

I used to use MiniMe as the basis of all my boxes.  Generally found it stable and great with all the advantages mentioned above.  The one gripe I had was that there was no "MiniMe man" package that would install all the man pages that were eliminated/excused from the original iso.  But that was no real biggy anyway.

Currently learning how to break stuff in LXDE (hence the new avatar), which iso is IMO MiniMe after a decent bacon breakfast.

cheers
ted

p.s. Now, looking at this coffee thing. Hmmmm, looks interesting!

p.p.s. Don't take that as a slight on LXDE, btw!!!

[Neal ManBear]

LXDE? Guess what? I love it.
Iced Latte? (tedlane's coffee thing ) Guess what? I love it.

And so on. The point is, stick the interface of your choice on top of PCLinuxOS, and you'll have a great system. If you're like me, you're going to love it.

Choice is a personal thing. Each person can choose the DE they want or add multiple DEs via their task packages; they can add or remove apps according to their own choices. The freedom to choose is part and parcel with the system. How great is that? What's not to love?

[Tony]

I'm so sorry how General I made that opening post, the intent was there but yes my Computer specs are probably the first place to start when considering a Distro.
The fact I chose MiniMe against the "Full Monty" is because of some Hardware limitations, plus I forgot to mention I Dual Boot with Win XP SP3.

Thanks for all replies, you have been very generous, and yes of course I can go test heaps of builds, but am encouraged with the comments about MiniMe.

Specifically this machine is an oldy  . I'm a fixit, build it type person.
Not alot of money filters through to my pocket after bills, and my 17 year old son's needs.
The Computer was tossed at me a couple of years ago, as it wasn't working.

NEC PowerMate
Intel Celeron CPU 2.6 GHz.
768MB DDR-SDRAM 
+Shared Graphics 'Chip' (onboard) 64 MB. 
Maxtor 40 GB HDD
10 GB Slave Drive + CD/DVD Combo Drive
500 GB External HDD
Motherboard is not really upgradeable any further. The graphics and RAM are the worst of it.
 
I'm trained, basically Cert 2 in Electronics, and Computer Engineering (A+) (Cisco).
Did two years study when going through a messy divorce  , as a distraction.
I never was good at Maths, or Physics as a young person so you can imagine my feelings at doing Advanced Maths /Engineering/Electronics, which wasn't that advanced I found when looking at getting the Diploma.

Truth is, as fast as you legitimately study , and I'll say "Study", at a legitimate Tertiary level, the quicker Technology advances, and you just go backwards.
 
So I work a lot online, as a volunteer. That's where the knowledge is in reality evolving, in the field of 'Home Users', which I suppose is my area, volunteering in Anti Virus Forum (Avast!) - and the Network of MVP Malware Removal Forums. Plus a founding member of a very slow 5 year old (but fun) SMF Forum. ( Sorry for Rant ! )

The Linux bug bit me three years ago, I have not successfully tried many Distros, in fact only Full PCLinuxOS, and the MiniMe version which I love as it suits my specs, I feel, and gives me more control when I have Windows on here as well. The Linux lingo will take time to absorb, everything can be searched out, my brain can only hold so much however.
I don't want "everything & the kitchen sink" as I'm forced to use Win due to work, Study, and other commitments.
Initially with MiniMe all I used (installed) was Firefox and Abiword, for secure safe surfing. 

Yep, VirtualBox seems the go, do some testing, but with these Hardware limitations I reckon MiniMe is pretty much well suited.
Thankyou kind people for offering your thoughts, may we all prosper through the sharing of knowledge .