What OS should I use?

[DTDsphere]

I want to get a new OS for my netbook. I'm not happy with Ubuntu at the moment.

Right now, the only thing I use Linux for is Google Chrome, ePSXe, Doom, OpenITG and some other emulators.

Right now, I get slowdowns using ePSXe on my netbook and I want to downgrade to an OS that's as minimal as possible, a CLI is fine, I'm used to DOS, UNIX isn't that much different and shouldn't take too long to get used to.

The specs:
1.66GHz Atom (Single core + hyperthreading)
1GB DDR3 RAM (going to upgrade to 2GB asap)

[Dark-Assassin]

I stopped with using Ubuntu, and now personally use Linux Mint with the MATE Desktop.
Or you could use Mint's main desktop environment, Cinnamon.
It can also come with KDE and XFCE.

With specs like that, I know XFCE and MATE would work fine.
Cinnamon may be a bit iffy, especially as it's new (and based off Gnome 3), and it may put much strain on an Atom processor.

Something with XFCE may be the best, even something such as XUbuntu or Mint + XFCE.
LXDE is super simple alternative to XFCE, which is a part of LUbuntu.

If you want to be more technical, you could give Arch Linux a go, though you will require background knowledge to get it running as well as you want.

Note that if you want to use XUbuntu 12.04 or Mint 13 + MATE, you may want to update their desktop environments.
Mint 13 + MATE comes at v1.2, you can update to 1.4+, instructions here: http://wiki.mate-desktop.org/download
XUbuntu 12.04 comes with XFCE 4.08 (I think), you can update it to 4.10, instructions here: http://www.webupd8.org/2012/05/install- ... -1204.html

Just my thought, it's up to you really.

[Konda]

The advantage Linux has over Windows is that it runs faster, so it's more suitable for those weaker machines (like yours :v) in today's standard.

The advantage Windows has over Linux is that you will be able to play your favorite Call of Duty in Windows while you won't be able to do that in Linux lolololololol. But in all seriousness, if you're gonna make maps, play modern games and such, you better get windows. No modern doom map editor has Linux support.

Although, if you're not mapping/playing modern games oftenly on your laptop (but you'd like to, on occasion), then you can install both Windows and Linux (dual boot), and use Linux for all your "activities" and use Windows for those "activities" you can't do in Linux (play modern games and make zanderp maps).

Oh yeah, and if you're going to use Linux, try using Linux Mint instead of ubuntu. And make sure you get Linux Mint with XFCE because XFCE wastes less resources and is very good for weaker machines (LIKE YOURS HUEHUEHUE)... or just look at Dark-Assassin's post :v

[DTDsphere]

@ Konda.
I have a desktop for my main gaming. i7 quad core, 16GB RAM, dated ATI 5770 1GB GFX card.

Back to discussion about my netbook:
Everything I said in the OP is what I use it for. I currently have Ubuntu + Windows 7 Starter on it.
I use Windows 7 starter for college related stuff (Microsoft office) and that's pretty much it.

I use Ubuntu for everything else.

[Dark-Assassin]

You won't need to dual boot, especially if you aren't using windows for games.
That's where something like VirtualBox comes in.

[Torr Samaho]

You won't need to dual boot, especially if you aren't using windows for games.
That's where something like VirtualBox comes in.

While virtualization is very useful (for instance I built all Zandronum Linux and FreeBSD binaries in virtual machines), the OP wants an "OS that's as minimal as possible". Running two OSs at once is anything but that.

[Llewellyn]

I use Windows 7 starter for college related stuff (Microsoft office) and that's pretty much it.

If you just booting 7 for office try libreoffice.

[Luke]

I use Windows 7 starter for college related stuff (Microsoft office) and that's pretty much it.

If you just booting 7 for office try libreoffice.

Oh yes!
Or OpenOffice.

[Dark-Assassin]

Yet either of those can be missing a few required components that exist in MS Office, depending on what he is doing.
Example: I require the use of Macros done in VB, neither of those will do it. So I just have XP in VirtualBox running MS Office.

[DTDsphere]

So uhh. What OS should I get?

[Luke]

I would say linux, I don't know which distribution because I watched a video (I'm going to share it with you in the proper topic in a moment) where this guy says how linux isn't substantially faster than Windows or OSX anymore.
I had a linux partition to work faster than with Windows, then they added Unity to Ubuntu and I went through a lot of troubles which in the end left me with the choice to reinstall linux or delete the partition. I deleted the partition because didn't seem that the penguin was much faster than Windows, while I had tons of problems such as being unable to play the old SkullTag in OpenGL.
I don't know. As a consumer I'd say Windows 7 or 8, as human being I'd say linux IDon'tKnowWhatDistro.

[Catastrophe]

I have the same specifications as your netbook, DO NOT get windows 7.

[Konda]

Libreoffice and openoffice have a bit of trouble loading MS word documents. I have a document with sorting algorithms (programming), which was written in MS word, and the way libreoffice displays text boxes in it is just weird. Some get resized, then I get a page with text boxes put on top of each other. It's quite a mess, but if you can deal with stuff like that, then get linux. If you can't, then I guess windows is a better option. Although you should see for yourself. Try installing libreoffice in ubuntu and see how it displays MS word documents.

If you find an alternative to MS office (in Linux) that works well enough for you, then you should obviously stick with linux, otherwise stick with windows, and if we count in Catastrope's post, then you're better off using Windows XP or something.

[skyrimguy]

Since you are asking for an OS ( distro ) that's as minimal as possible, I recommend you to install Debian from a "businesscard" iso image. Here is a guide about how to do a Netinstall. This guide is about Debian Sid ( Unstable ) but you can use "almost" the same instructions to install Debian Stable or Testing.
If you install Debian, you probably will need firmware during the installation.

[Llewellyn]

Oh yes!
Or OpenOffice.

Hrm, I was unaware that OpenOffice now has Linux binaries, I must try this out.

Libreoffice and openoffice have a bit of trouble loading MS word documents. I have a document with sorting algorithms (programming), which was written in MS word, and the way libreoffice displays text boxes in it is just weird. Some get resized, then I get a page with text boxes put on top of each other. It's quite a mess, but if you can deal with stuff like that, then get linux. If you can't, then I guess windows is a better option. Although you should see for yourself. Try installing libreoffice in ubuntu and see how it displays MS word documents.

OpenOffice has never rendered a Word 2003/2007 document incorrectly for me, LibreOffice did once, but that's only because of an old bug in MS 2003.

[Dark-Assassin]

So uhh. What OS should I get?

If you want an easy choice, install LinuxMint + MATE/XFCE, Install Windows XP in VirtualBox for MS Office and other stuff that either has no close alternative, or that will not run properly under WINE.
LinuxMint does not come with the boot screen enabled, so I can give you some instructions on how to enable it.
I can also give some to help install login screens (MDM Themes).

VBox will run good if you give it 1GB of RAM to use, though you will require more, but as you said, you are getting more.
Also, what's good about it, you don't have to "shut down" the OS running in VBox, you can save it's state from where it left off. That is a pretty damn handy feature.

Still, you don't have to if you don't want to.

[DTDsphere]

D-A, have you ever used VirtualBox on a system with 2gb RAM? I need to ask that question.

[Dark-Assassin]

I've used it on a system with 1GB of RAM, and pretty much the same processor, but a celeron dual core.
I had to set VBox to use 512mb on the OS, it did still run well enough to use. I always use 1/2 of the system's RAM up to 2GB (if 4+ GB RAM), it's never wise to use more. These can be set when setting up the Virtual OS for the first time, and also via "Settings > System".

Also, if you plan on doing this, try to enable 2D and 3D acceleration and set the video memory to 128MB (128MB is max unfortunately), guessing if your shaded graphics is 256MB or more, These can be found under "Settings > Display".

While booted in to the Virtual OS, most of the system based settings will be unchangeable unless you shut it down.

And also after it's all installed and booted in to the Virtual OS, install the Guest Additions, which can be done via "Devices > Install Guest Additions...".

Hopefully this won't put too much strain on, though 2D Acceleration should always be enabled, just so it draws windows and menus much faster.

In case you want to try some other virtualization software, there are a few around that should work on Linux still. I currently can not think of any though right now.

If you are having trouble understanding this, let me know.

[DTDsphere]

Alright, I have "linuxmint-13-xfce-dvd-32bit.iso".

How do I install it? Do I format my Ubuntu partition yet?

When I try to boot from USB (NTFS) it says BOOTMGR not found. CTRL ALT DELETE to restart.
When I try to boot from USB (FAT32) it says Remove disks or any other media. Press any key to restart.

[Dark-Assassin]

Launch Ubuntu and create a USB startup disk using that ISO. Just extracting the ISO to the USB will not work.
After that, boot it up and install it. Then from there, you can wipe whatever you like.