[feedback] puppy + hardware specs

[nbah07]

aul aul!
2008 laptop, 2xCPU@1.83GHz, 2x2GBddr2, 160+250GB hdd
Look this relatively old laptop, I am unaware how to choose a puppy albeit reading their release topics. Which puppies could give me a experience near a mainline distro, ones I could install pkgs from outside the repo - the other day I installed snapd for a 2-factor auth app - I often stand upon the "trickness" end towards reading nerd guidelines to install some niche software. Maybe mainstream would be way to go, but I suspect this laptop would gasp and heat a lot <?>
I hold regards if you give a suggestive puppy/distro on this. Ah, be 64 bit arch.

[bigpup]

About any Puppy version is going to work on that computer.

Some people do not like me saying this.
You just have to try some of the Puppy versions and see what you like.
They are all slightly different.

Those specs are about the same as a laptop I have.
Fossapup64 9.5 runs on it with no problem.
It being the newest official Puppy version. You get the latest of everything, for software and programs, that come in Puppy.

You are going to have to learn, how Puppy Linux works, and how to use the programs, it comes with.
About anything you want to do, is already provided by a program, that is already in Puppy.

As for adding programs.
Greatly depends on the program.
Software has to be compiled for a specific operating system.

Fossapup64 9.5 uses core Linux programs and files, that are also used by Ubuntu 20.04.2.0 LTS (Focal Fossa).
So good chance, software compiled for that version of Ubuntu, will also work in Fossapup64 9.5.

This info may help you:

Basic info on installing additional programs.

Program packages need to be compiled for Puppy for the best chance to work. Puppy has it's own way of doing things.
Program packages are available in several ways. What you are looking for is probably available in one of them.

Puppy Package Manager(PPM), that is installed with the version of Puppy Linux you have, is the best place to get new programs. It will open, showing programs that are known to work on your version of Puppy.
1. Run Puppy Package Manager.
2. Left mouse click on a listed program.
3. Follow install directions
4. Program installs.

Depending on the version of Puppy you have, the package manager will have option to get packages from repositories other then Puppy repositories. The package manager will need to be configured for them.
This is how:
Run Puppy Package Manager (PPM)
Select configure package manager.
Select the repositories you want to show.
Select update now.
After the update process, (it will take some time to update).
Close and restart PPM.
Should now see your new repositories at top of PPM window.
You then select the one you want to show in listings.
Note:
When getting packages from non-Puppy repositories, make sure you click on examine dependencies button (if offered) and download and install any identified as needed along with program package.
(newest version of PPM does this automatically)

Additional Software (PETs, n' stuff)section of this forum is the next best place to look. However, you must keep in mind that you will find programs that where originally compiled under a specific version of Puppy and they may or may not work with your version.
General rule is to read the posting for the program pet and see if there is any info that would indicate what version of Puppy it will work under.
Most of the stuff will work on a large portion of Puppies, but not 100% guaranteed.
You may find more then one version of a program. Sometimes that makes a difference.
1. Find a program you want.
2. Open the program thread.
3. find the link for downloading the program pet.
4. Left mouse click on the link
5. Follow the directions to either install or save.
(If you save the pet file you can install by viewing the pet file in Rox-Filer (file manager) and left click on it)