debian xfce (or something else) for p3/256 laptop

[ivanhelguera]

hello,
I would like to install a small ram use distro for an old p3 256 mb ram sony vaio desktop.
On a similar toshiba I put sidux xfce, and it uses abou7 65 mb ram after boot - which is really great. The desktop is modern and natural to use, but here i would like to use something more stable. Out-of-the box hardware support for wifi, soundcards etc. would definitely be a plus, though i can manage to make it all by myself.
1) I could go for debian - testing, but the rolling release model is not what i want. But maybe as it will freeze soon (has freezed already?), so i could switch it to stable when it gets released.
2) I could try current debian-stable, and enable backports. Will i get xfce 4.6 that way?
3) I could try some debian-based distrto. Antix could be a choice, but actually i'd rather like something based on xfce.
Any suggestions?
IH

[GNU-Fan]

Hi,

if you Laptop is so old, wouldn't the support of Debian Stable be good enough?

You could also start with Unstable and then set it to the next stable. At the beginning, you would still have some bigger updates, but over time it will converge to Stable and the Updates become gradually much lesser frequent.

[ivanhelguera]

if you Laptop is so old, wouldn't the support of Debian Stable be good enough?

Yes, in terms of hardware it should be.
What I would like is to have more current desktop tools, especially xfce 4.6. If i understand correctly, I could get those (as well as more current ffox/iceweasel) from the backports.

You could also start with Unstable and then set it to the next stable. At the beginning, you would still have some bigger updates, but over time it will converge to Stable and the Updates become gradually much lesser frequent.

Unstable? wouldn't testing be more apropriate?
Anyhow, in order to obtain this, I should use the sources.list for testing (unstable) first, and after the new stable gets released, change the repos to stable (and include the new backorts perhaps).
I think debian stable + backports seems a good option here. The one thing that bothers me is the imminent release of the new stable. It's my father's computer, and I do not want to bother him with frequent new system installs.
Thanks!

[GNU-Fan]

Imminent? More like about 1 year from what I know
Then Lenny will still get support for additional 12 months, so this gives you up about 2 years till worry.

Ubuntu with the Long Term Support Option may also be a good option.

[ivanhelguera]

Imminent? More like about 1 year from what I know
Then Lenny will still get support for additional 12 months, so this gives you up about 2 years till worry.

Ubuntu with the Long Term Support Option may also be a good option.

OK souds good. No hassle in the debian world. It really is a blessing in this case.
Ubuntu would be nice, but xubuntu is not so lo-resources friendly.
the comparison here is very teling:
DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.
in the next distrowatch there was a guide as to how to make xubuntu be as resources-freindly as debian xfce
DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.
I think i will stick to debian stable, and upgrade in due time. This is just a backup laptop that is dying under the windows load (w2000 that loads +-260 mb of sony stuff at boot).
The machine has a very nice, high-res screen, so it's a perfect holiday laptop for casual browsing, movie watching, etc. I hope all goes well with the debian install. I might be back here for help, though, so do not tell i did not warn you .