[Discuss] excessive memory usage in Ubuntu

[Tom Luo]

Thanks, Steve, I will give Void Linux a try in the future. I am using AWS
right now and it doesn't have a Void Linux image.

On Mon, Sep 9, 2019 at 6:24 PM Steve Litt <slitt at troubleshooters.com> wrote:

> On Mon, 9 Sep 2019 16:04:55 -0400
> Tom Luo <mariolzx at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi, all,
> >
> > I am running a Ubuntu 16.04 server (2GB memory and 2GB swap
> > partition). At the beginning, the memory usage is fine (less than
> > 20%). However, after I install some packages:
> >
> > apt-get install gnome-panel gnome-settings-daemon metacity nautilus
> > gnome-terminal
> >
> > the memory usage increases a lot, to 99%. The swap partition is also
> > almost full.
> >
> > I used the "top" command to see which program is using a lot of
> > memory. However, this is not a single significant program. Every
> > program uses less than 5% memory. The problem is very strange and I
> > don't know how to solve this problem because reinstall the system.
> >
> > Any suggestions?
>
> 2GB RAM was about on par for computers back in 2006. It's woefully
> inadequate for modern software unless you're using limited software
> (text-only server, for instance).
>
> Ubuntu specializes in being easy for total newbies,  at the expense of
> heavy resource usage. Gnome uses memory and CPU at prodigious rates.
>
> There are lots of lightweight Linuxes you could use, but most package
> only the most common software. I'd suggest you use Void Linux, which
> allows and in fact encourages you to install only what you need. If you
> absolutely need a GUI, you can install extreme lightweights like icewm,
> Windowmaker, jwm, awesome, or my favorite, Openbox. I have some 2006
> computers running quite well, with 2GB RAM, using Void and Openbox. Of
> course, you can't run 20 big programs at a time, nor can you use
> Firefox to open 10 javascript laden sites, but you can still do your
> job.
>
> Installing Void on a x86 or ia64 is pretty easy: Run a text program
> called void-installer from a booted CD or thumb. Just answer the
> questions, and boom: You have a working computer.
>
> SteveT
>
> Steve Litt
> Author: The Key to Everyday Excellence
> http://www.troubleshooters.com/key
> Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stevelitt
>
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