Never mind what the 'systems requirements' say. Many well known distros like ubuntu, opensuse and fedora can be made to install on low memory computers if you install a swap file first.

How to do it. Plan your basic partitioning. Download and burn the GParted Live CD. This Software can also be made to boot from a usb stick.

Boot, delete or move existing partitions and install a /boot and swap partition in the low numbered cylinders. (Old hardware is often subject to BIOS Cylinder limits. The /boot partition is used to insure that your kernel image and initrd are in partitons that satisfy these limits.)

With the Swap file in place, you can almost install your Distro as you would normally.

If the Distro installation procedure asks for permission to use your swap file, say "yes".

Do not let the distro installation procedure automaticly repartition your hard drive, because it may attempt to move the swap file. It won't work to try to move a swap file that is in use.

Specify "manual disk partitioning". This has different names for different distros.

During repartitioning, you can do anything you want except move or delete the swap file. (If you need to move the swap file, you will have to abort the installation, and go back to the beginning and repartition with the GParted LiveCD.)

Once the disk repartitioning phase is complete, the rest of the installation usually procedes normally. If you are installing on the typical piece of junk, expect everything to proceed slowly, much more slowly, than you are used to.

There are also other tricks to install Linux on computers without a CD or DVD drive.

the Triumph Cafe
3808 Spicewood Springs Rd.
Austin , TX 78759

Let's help them out. Everyone is encouraged to participate.

Discussion of backup programs. Opportunity for further nominations. Clio Dunn nominated for Treasurer. Carl for system as well as mailing list. Stephen Gutknecht. for President. Denis Oxford for Secretary. Paul Elliott withdraws for Secretary. Denis Oxford withdraws for President.

Therefore this is the nominations.

Stephen Gutknecht for President.
Secretary Denis Oxford.
Treasurer Clio Dunn.
System Administrator Carl Perry
Mailing List Carl Perry
Web Administrator Paul Elliott
Program Coordinator Newton Hammet

Slate passed by acclimation.

Discussion of virtual booting Linux under OSX.

When I reached the summit registration, I talked to Jennifer Cloer. I said that I was secretary of a Local Lug and that I have written on Free software/open source history. I asked to attend as an observer and journalist. She said that journalists were only allowed the previous day and that remaining days were only for Linux Foundation Members. Our local LUG was never notified of the existence of the summit in Austin.

The front page of the Linux Foundataion's Web page says "The Linux Foundation is a non profit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux". Fostering the growth of Linux is also what Austin Linux Group is supposed to be doing. The event was called the "collaboration summit", but apparently the LINUX foundation did not want to colaborate with any one but themselves.

There was a forum on open source legal issues from which I could have profited. Too bad.

I believe that local LUGS and local LINUX activists have much to contribute to the development of LINUX. I believe that the LINUX FOUNDATION is making a mistake by excluding them.

We are stronger together than separate.

Tested directional wireless card belonging to Eric. Module loaded under OpenSuse 10.3. Got it working under OpenBSD. But it is too slow.

Paul Elliott nominates:

President Dennis Oxford.
Secretary Paul Elliott
System Administrator Carl Perry
Mailing List Carl Perry
Web administrator Paul Elliott
Program Coordinator Newton Hammet

more nomination on 10th, election on 17th.

Joe Barr made some points about the X0 and discussed recent new events related to the X0.

It is not a conventional laptop and it is not intended for use as a general laptop.

A general laptop can do things the X0 can not do. The X0 can do things the general laptop can not do.

Several people including Joe Barr brought in X0's. Much experimenting was done. They can talk to each other!

Elze brought in her XO and had a number of questions, some of which we could not answer. However some
of the questions were answered on IRC irc.freenode.net #olpc-help.

Elze posted about this ALG event on a Blog.

The Joe Barr OLPC presentation. Uses Sugar interface. OLPC in the news. Dual boot OLPC and Win XP. MS denies involvement. Intel leaves the board of OLPC.

The OLPCs can talk to each other. Four people brought X0s in! We experiment with OLPC.

Secretary relays some question using IRC to irc.freenode.net #olpc-help

Board meeting called to order by Denis Oxford at 7:15 pm.

Reading of previous meetings meeting minutes be dispensed with.

Old business none.

Denis Oxford will take steps to insure we have a room in January!

Need to renew agreement for meeting place.

Treasurer report Jim Parkhurst:
balance in bank is $677.62.

Discussion of mailing list rules.

Motion for once weekly (for 60 days; then monthly) post of mailing list rules. Seconded. Passed.

Note member ship dues due next week.

New members needed. More Presentations needed. Monthly presentation discussed.

Possibly give away presentation certificates of merit. Also for working InnoTech.

Installfest January 26.

Board meeting adjourned at 7:51 pm.

Paul Elliot Secretary.

A presentation on the happenings at ToorCon 1001, held recently in San Diego. See interviews with ToorCon founder David "h1kari" Hulton, the infamous Johnny Cache, and ToorCon event coordinator, Geo. Also major chunks of Beetle's most excellent (WARNING ADULT LANGUAGE) keynote, during which he takes on such sacred cows as Marvel Comics, the Slashdot community, Apple fanboyz, John Gruber, the NSA, Google, the CIA, the American public, and last but not least, the hacker community. A very entertaining keynote. Plus other assorted ramblings, photos, and observations. Free CDs of the video content will be available at the meeting.