DSL 2024 has been reborn as a compact Linux distribution: Damned Small Linux
Tags: webdev, linux, beginners, tutorial
Published: 2024-02-01 11:14:47

the New DSL 2024 has been reborn as a compact Linux distribution



I'm considering to run a very very leight Linux because my current Notebook is really poor. The LENOVO T 520 has got not too much RAM. I want to run a  lieightweight Linux: I would also prefer one with a good GUI but I don't really care much as long I'll my Lenovo Thinkpad T520 has got 4GBs of ram and a 320gb HDD.

i have heard about the leightweight linux overview: leightweight linux overview 


cf. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-weight_Linux_distribution



well after being abandonned some years  ago - DSL is reborn and back again... 

https://www.damnsmalllinux.org:  The New DSL 2024 has been reborn as a compact Linux distribution tailored for low-spec x86 computers. It packs a lot of applications into a small package. All the applications are chosen for their functionality, small size, and low dependencies. DSL 2024 also has many text-based applications that make it handy to use in a term window or TTY.
DSL 2024 currently only ships with two window managers: Fluxbox and JWM. Both are lightweight, fairly intuitive, and easy to use.
DSL has three X-based web browsers:


cit:  Why make a new DSL after all these years?

Creating the original DSL, a versatile 50MB distribution, was a lot of fun and one of the things I am most proud of as a personal accomplishment. However, as a concept, it was in the right place at the right time, and the computer industry has changed a lot since then. While it would be possible to make a bootable Xwindows 50MB distribution today, it would be missing many drivers and have only a handful of very rudimentary applications. People would find such a distribution a fun toy or something to build upon, but it would not be usable for the average computer user out of the gate.

Meanwhile, in 2024, nearly everyone has abandoned the sub-700MB size limit to run on computers old enough to not have a DVD and cannot boot off of a USB drive. This is completely understandable because applications, the kernel, and drivers have all mushroomed in their space requirements. Hats off to Puppy Linux for staying one of the few that still offer a full desktop environment in a small size.

The new goal of DSL is to pack as much usable desktop distribution into an image small enough to fit on a single CD, or a hard limit of 700MB. This project is meant to service older computers and have them continue to be useful far into the future. Such a notion sits well with my values. I think of this project as my way of keeping otherwise usable hardware out of landfills.

As with most things in the GNU/Linux community, this project continues to stand on the shoulders of giants. I am just one guy without a CS degree, so for now, this project is based on antiX 23 i386. AntiX is a fantastic distribution that I think shares much of the same spirit as the original DSL project. AntiX shares pedigree with MEPIS and also leans heavily on the geniuses at Debian. So, this project stands on the shoulders of giants. In other words, DSL 2024 is a humble little project!

cf. https://www.damnsmalllinux.org:  


what do you think - would you choose DSL or Puppy for a older hardware !`?

see more see the **Overview of some distributions:**

cf. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-weight_Linux_distribution


Gentoo ( https://www.gentoo.org ) – can be the lightest system, because even GUI is not included, and can be compiled with -march=native.
ArchBang – ( https://archbang.org ) inspired by CrunchBang Linux but based on the Arch Linux distribution instead of Debian.
DammnedSmallLinux ( https://www.damnsmalllinux.org ): The New DSL 2024 has been reborn as a compact Linux distribution tailored for low-spec x86 computers.
DebianDog - ( debiandog.github.io ): Debian Live CD shaped after Puppy Linux. It is packaged with JWM and IceWM, or Openbox and Xfce. Debian structure and behaviour are untouched.[7][8]
Dog Linux: DebianDog von ( debiandog.github.io ): DebianDog is very small Debian Live CD shaped to look and act like Puppy Linux.
Debian structure and Debian behaviour are untouched and ...
LinuxConsole ( https://www.linuxconsole.org )- a lightweight system for old computers made to be easy for youth and casual users.
Parabola GNU/Linux-libre ( https://www.parabola.nu ) an Arch-based lightweight system endorsed by the Free Software Foundation.
postmarketOS ( https://postmarketos.org ) – a derivative of Alpine Linux designed primarily for smartphones ::
Puppy-Linux: https://oldforum.puppylinux.com :
SparkyLinux ( https://sparkylinux.org ): a lightweight system based on Debian: SparkyLinux is a GNU/Linux distribution based on the Debian GNU/Linux operating system. Forums:; https://forum.sparkylinux.org
Zorin OS ( https://zorin.com/os/ ) – also has "Zorin OS Lite" and "Zorin OS Education Lite" editions :: Zorin OS is the alternative to Windows and macOS designed to make your computer faster, more powerful, secure, and privacy-respecting.