While this is definately off topic lets try and answer this simply and in general enough terms to be pointed to by other threads :).

You have a 486 that isnt doing anything and you want to try out Linux. Welcome! Good idea! Something to learn, nothing to lose.

First off you really have at least 3 questions to answer.

1. What distribution of linux will run well on a 486 with 48meg of memory?

2. What distribution will I enjoy and benefit from learning?

3. What distribution wil do .... (insert Role here)


To my best thinking:

486s are fine for non graphic intensive work. They will transfer files, work as firewalls and do basic word processing faithfully and reliably. If it hasn't busted so far, it is probably reliable.

Linux is stable and efficient but it has far less marketing than Windows. This is actually the biggest efficiency saving for linux but it does have some drawbacks. Most people who buy Windows already know or are soon told what to do with their purchase. The choice with Linux is a little daunting and some of the enduser expectations are higher.

Find some free distributions, you can download them from the web and burn them on CD or you can buy the distributions in magazines etc...

My favourite Linux site is Linuxtoday.com
My favourite distribution is Mandrake, it has all the red hat advantages and is more current and friendly.
Relize that linux is also no longer targetted at 486's so read the specs to see if your machine fits the bill.





Windows is like buying brand new shiny cutlery only to find your knives won't hold an edge. Microsoft can cut anything for you, for a price and you'll never notice if you only serve soup.

Linux is a whole drawer of cutlery, some of it wicked sharp! and others dull, even dirty. You have to learn to care for your tools but after that you can carve anything yourself without anyone's permission and without microsoft's guestlist.