7i96S card arrived what setup is recomended

I have been 3 years away and try to start cnc hobby again.

Here is what I am planing to use
the machine I am retrofit is lathe Emco pc 50 turn 
I have Dell optiflex 755 core2duo  computer
I ordered some closed loop steppermotors to it. 
Card is 7i96S

What version of linux to install?
What version of linuxcnc to install?
What els do I need to install:
Mesaflash ?
hostmot2?

And any links for good installation guides to those programs for newbie?


 

You need LinuxCNC 2.9 for full support of the 7I96S.

You do not need mesaflash unless you plan  to use
a parallel expansion card which requires specific firmware.

For configuration utilities you can use pncconf and select 7I96
and the edit the created ini file to change the card name.
(from 7i96 to 7i96s)
(you need to select the ini card name substitution option).

Alternatively, you can use JT's mesact configuration tool.

What is a good choice for linux.
ubuntu, mint, debian....

could not install mesact.
I installed mint 21 beta  and linuxcnc 2.9. (forum.linuxcnc.org/9-installing-linuxcnc...n-linux-mint-21-beta)
Card is up and running

Is it possible to use Gmoccapy with mint 21 and linuxcnc 2.9 ?
 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought anything Mint 20 forward was problematic at best. Hence the advice to stay with Debian O.S.'s

If I want to connect my closed loop setepper motor encoders to linuxcnc, what kind on mesacard is good match with 7196s
Is this good option store.mesanet.com/index.php?route=produc...69_71&product_id=125