[ale] Upgrading Red Hat 6.2 and Netscape 4.72

[Geoffrey]

Roger Hammons wrote:
> I'm a new subscriber to this list.  Please be patient and forgive any
> faux pas.
> 
> Also, I've been in the weeds and woods for several years.  I'm currently
> running
> Red Hat 6.2 (kernel 2.2.14-5.0) on a Pentium 166.  Everything works fine
> (so I've
> been lazy and haven't kept up), EXCEPT that now I need to upgrade from
> Netscape 
> 4.72 to a more recent browser to access many web sites.

Ouch, you need to upgrade your whole OS Roger. :)

> 
> I bought Firefox - the readme on the CD says it needs R.H. ver 7.x.  The
> download
> Netscape 7.2 info says it needs a Pentium 233.  I looked at the Opera
> web site - 
> I can't tell what hardware / Linux it requires - it only mentions a C++
> library and 
> something about 'X11R6.3+' (?).

I'm afraid you're going to run into all kinds of problems with that old 
a distro.

> Question #1: Does anyone have experience with these or other newer
> browsers and an 
> older Linux?  Are these requirements really necessary?  Any ideas or
> suggestions 
> about installing one of these browsers over my current Linux?

You're very likely going to run into a number of dependency issues.  I'd 
warrant it would be easier to upgrade your OS then just the browser.

> 
> Re: upgrading Linux: I've read a little about Fedora Core (3?), but I
> don't know if 
> I can or should or how I could (easily? or is that too much to ask?)
> upgrade over 
> my R.H. 6.2.  I've seen the SuSE 9.2 box at MicroCenter and read that
> some people
> like it, but I'm not sure if I should or need to change brands and start
> over.

I wouldn't try an upgrade from 6.2 to Fedora.  I would backup all my 
critical stuff and do a clean install.  If you want to give SuSE a try, 
I could get you a copy, no sense in buying it.  I'd suggest sticking 
with what you know for now though.

> 
> Question #2: Does anyone have advice or suggestions about upgrading to a
> newer Linux?
> 
> If these questions aren't pertinent for the group, I'd welcome direct
> email replies 
> or my Atlanta phone number if that seems better (I drink beer and I'm
> willing to buy
> a few rounds if that helps).

All pertinent questions.  Welcome to the group.  Where are you located? 
  That is, what part of Atlanta?

-- 
Until later, Geoffrey