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Should I Install Debian 10 Linux on 600mhz iMac G3

Appleuser201

Appleuser201

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 12, 2018
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I would like to install a form of modern Linux on my 600mhz G3... preferably Debian 10.
Has anyone tried the new Debian 10 on a G3 yet? I imagine it won't be snappy, but is it slow to the point of being unusable?
The second thing is someone mentioned that installing any form of Linux (2014 and later) on the eMac is very difficult or not doable due too graphics issues with the CRT display. Will my iMac have the same issue as it also has a CRT?

Overall, (if it even works) is it even worth it to install it? It would be cool to have a brand new OS and Firefox 52 on this thing

EDIT: The Debian website is showing all iMac G3 models as supported under Debian but anyone get around the CRT/Graphic issue thing?
 
Appleuser201 said:
Overall, (if it even works) is it even worth it to install it? It would be cool to have a brand new OS and Firefox 52 on this thing
Click to expand...

Ask yourself this, if you think TFF is too slow on a G3 what chance will FF 52 have on an even more demanding OS?

I put MintPPC on my G3 iMac in around 2012....and installed Tiger back the next day.
 
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Dronecatcher said:
Ask yourself this, if you think TFF is too slow on a G3 what chance will FF 52 have on an even more demanding OS?

I put MintPPC on my G3 iMac in around 2012....and installed Tiger back the next day.
Click to expand...

When compared against each other, TenFourFox has been shown to be significantly slower than FF 45.9 on Linux. It's not the version, it's that there's something wrong with TFF that makes specifically it extremely heavy and bloated.

@Appleuser201 Last time I checked, I think the iMac G3 worked OK, while there was something about the eMac's CRT that didn't work. If you think it's worth it, then just go for it. Tell us all about it so we know specifically how Debian 10 fares on an iMac G3. :)

Although Arctic Fox is heavily recommended over FF 52.9 on a 600mhz G3, just use a light desktop environment, or maybe even a window manager.

Tell us how it goes.
 
I know it's a whole different story but, I installed Debian 10 on a 1.6 ghz single core Acer netbook and it flies. I didn't upgrade the RAM (which is still 1GB) nor change the HDD. I think that it is worth a shot.
 
z970mp said:
When compared against each other, TenFourFox has been shown to be significantly slower than FF 45.9 on Linux. It's not the version, it's that there's something wrong with TFF that makes specifically it extremely heavy and bloated.

@Appleuser201 Last time I checked, I think the iMac G3 worked OK, while there was something about the eMac's CRT that didn't work. If you think it's worth it, then just go for it. Tell us all about it so we know specifically how Debian 10 fares on an iMac G3. :)

Although Arctic Fox is heavily recommended over FF 52.9 on a 600mhz G3, just use a light desktop environment, or maybe even a window manager.

Tell us how it goes.
Click to expand...

What browsers will I get with the Debian 10 installation? (besides Arctic Fox and FF52)
After watching some Firefox PPC Linux videos, I don't think I'll be using FF52 as my main browser... just wanted an up to date browser
 
Appleuser201 said:
What browsers will I get with the Debian 10 installation? (besides Arctic Fox and FF52)
After watching some Firefox PPC Linux videos, I don't think I'll be using FF52 as my main browser... just wanted an up to date browser
Click to expand...

SpiderWeb, NetSurf, and Links2, off the top of my head.

I particularly recommend NetSurf and Arctic Fox for your machine. Ultra lightweight.
 
z970mp said:
SpiderWeb, NetSurf, and Links2, off the top of my head.

I particularly recommend NetSurf and Arctic Fox for your machine. Ultra lightweight.
Click to expand...
Are they up to current web standards and secure?
Particularly Arctic Fox... is it as current as TenFourFox?
 
Appleuser201 said:
Are they up to current web standards and secure?
Particularly Arctic Fox... is it as current as TenFourFox?
Click to expand...

Arctic Fox is on par with TFF when it comes to web standards. Security-wise that's hard to say. Probably similar.

SpiderWeb on the other hand is built on current UXP code (52.9-60.9) used for Pale Moon 28. Meaning it's much newer, more compatible, and more secure.

Cheers
 
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wicknix said:
Arctic Fox is on par with TFF when it comes to web standards. Security-wise that's hard to say. Probably similar.

SpiderWeb on the other hand is built on current UXP code (52.9-60.9) used for Pale Moon 28. Meaning it's much newer, more compatible, and more secure.

Cheers
Click to expand...
So... more secure, up to date, but much faster and lighter? I've really been underestimating other browsers besides Firefox
 
If you expect to use a modern browser without enough ram, forget it. Unless you disable JavaScript, which makes more than half the Internet unusable.

Sites like quora or gmail use half a gigabite each!!
 
rafark said:
If you expect to use a modern browser without enough ram, forget it. Unless you disable JavaScript, which makes more than half the Internet unusable.

Sites like quora or gmail use half a gigabite each!!
Click to expand...

I've been using Camino 2.1.2 on OS X 10.4, and NetSurf 3.8 on OpenBSD 6.5 on my Power Mac G3 w/ 512mb RAM, and browsing most websites are pretty tolerable.

Especially the lighterweight ones, like MacRumors, Macintosh Garden, LowEndMac, Wikipedia, MSN News, etc...

Just make sure you use a light browser (like the above) ...
 
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z970mp said:
I've been using Camino 2.1.2 on OS X 10.4, and NetSurf 3.8 on OpenBSD 6.5 on my Power Mac G3 w/ 512mb RAM, and browsing most websites are pretty tolerable.

Especially the lighterweight ones, like MacRumors, Macintosh Garden, LowEndMac, Wikipedia, MSN News, etc...

Just make sure you use a light browser (like the above) ...
Click to expand...
I just tried researching Linux for my eMac and Debian 10 doesn’t support ppc
 
forums.macrumors.com

The PowerPC Debian Wiki

Mac OS X Tiger was released in 2005, its final security update being in 2009. Mac OS X Leopard was released in 2007, given its very last security update in 2011, and is the ultimate version of Mac OS X compatible with the PowerPC architecture, effectively marking the entire family EOL, even for...
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com
 
Fcr-900 said:
I just tried researching Linux for my eMac and Debian 10 doesn’t support ppc
Click to expand...
Not true, although it won’t be easy...
[automerge]1588666787[/automerge]
www.u58733p55594.web0093.zxcs-klant.nl

Installation Debian sid on eMac

I found this post on FaceBook. Decided to bite the bullet and attempt to install debian sid on my emac yesterday. After fighting KMS and the strange...
www.u58733p55594.web0093.zxcs-klant.nl
Note: in the post he refers to an old image. The new installer can be found here:
Booting USB is also different now, see installation instructions MintPPC.
Good luck.
 
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We were talking about Debian 10 here; will MintPPC work on an eMac out of the box?
 
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