Damn Small Linux - Not!
The forum for DSL-N
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister   ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Optimal Size & Applications

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Damn Small Linux - Not! Forum Index -> DSL-N Ideas and Suggestions
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
fstephens



Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:47 pm    Post subject: Optimal Size & Applications Reply with quote

Great to see DSL-N break the 50MB barrier. I always thought that was way too limiting. I mean does anyone really use those business card sized CD's anyway? The 185--210MB mini-CD's are hardly any bigger physically and hold lots more data.

I realize the other reason for staying small is so DSL will fit on a flash drive, but they are getting bigger and cheaper too. Keeping to around 185MB means it would also easily fit on an inexpensive 256MB flash drive with plenty of room for the users data. The load to ram option would of course require more memory, but that is in keeping with the generally higher hardware requierments anyway.

I think the ideal size for a mini-distro to be most useful is that it should fit on the mini-CD's. That would allow plenty of room for more polished apps, more diagnostic tools, user added modules & window managers for personalization etc. And it still fits in a pocket!

I think Instead of the Mozilla suite, Firefox and Thunderbird would be better, since that is what more people will be familliar with and it seems development is focused there.
Also useful would be a really good graphical code editor like jEdit (but it requires Java), GParted or QParted, NT password tool, F-Prot or other anti-virus scanner, Adobe Acrobat.
And finally, Midnight Commander!

Has there been any consideration of implementing the save to CD idea, like Puppy has? Seems like a neat trick, but maybe too many complications?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
doobit



Joined: 18 Apr 2006
Posts: 32

PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:02 pm    Post subject: those business-card size CDs Reply with quote

Yes! I use them. DSL in a 50MB size is great economy. Smaller is faster, not to mention cheaper when it comes to equipment and media. The reason for DSL is to run well on slower or older machinery, and it does that.

This new DSL-N has a slightly different purpose, so it's not so tied to the size limitation
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
fstephens



Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm not sure the 50MB "business card" CD's are any cheaper than the 185-210MB mini-CD's, which are hardly any larger. I have also heard of CD-ROM drive damage due to the "square" edges, and I wouldn't trust one to not get bent if carried in a wallet, so what's the point?
In reality it seems they are just a mini-CD with two sides clipped off. Seems more like a gimmick than a practical benefit to me, but since some people are using the 50MB CD's, maybe I just don't get it. Confused

Another benefit of the round mini-CD's is they are available in CD-RW. I find this really handy, since when a new version of DSL comes out I can just erase and burn the updated ISO (this also leaves open the possibility of writing back data to the CD, ala Puppy). Since I would use these mini-distos as mainly a rescue or backup system (or just for fun!), I find this a real advantage. Sure, I can do that now, but then I am "wasting" 150MB of capacity! I think this extra size could really be used to include GTK and QT libraries that would allow some "best of breed" apps used in larger distro's to be included. Or, if the inclusion of those libraries and apps proves to be too resource intensive for the DSL philosophy, I'm sure there are other ways to use it (maybe more kernel modules, even better hardware detection, more apps & utilities, man pages, documentation & reference, user modules & data, etc.) .And we would STILL have a very small distro that fits in a shirt pocket!

Sure, what DSL can accomplish in only 50MB is very impressive, but with the new version I am thinking of a leap in polish & usefulness. I realize the objective of DSL to run on really low-powered systems, but my point is that when moving up a notch with DSL-N, why not take advantage of the extra space on slightly larger media? Lots of very useful benefits, with few downsides.
And there is still the original DSL if you need the 50MB limit. I am not advocating changing that (although my slowest system now is 450Mhz, with 128MB RAM), but DSL-N has already broken that limit. I am simply proposing a new upper limit and ways to use it.

Thanks for your comment.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Peter



Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 51

PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2006 6:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

'round here the smaller cd's are actually [i]more[/i] expensive. When you can find them...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
maxbarkly



Joined: 09 Jun 2006
Posts: 2

PostPosted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:03 am    Post subject: Optimal Size should remain tiny! Reply with quote

First time poster, long time user.

CD Size is not an issue, really. The true issue is real size, according to Wikipedia its at 85MB now. Not over 100MB, unless issues of hardware support are at hand. The distro shouldn't be packaged with any new software in my opinion. Theres always the myDSL repository if you want more apps.

DSL makes me giddy. It has revived several computers and is faster than some new ones I've seen running XP. I showed friends DSL, and they learned linux on it... but they all moved to other distros like Ubuntu and Debian. I stuck with DSL the whole way, and now that I might be buying a powerful new laptop, DSL-N is my saving grace from retreating to Ubuntu.

I love the size of DSL, I love running an entire operating system in RAM. I love the performance and the possibility.

DSL-N is Not DSL Bloated Exclamation
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Tram2535



Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 6:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

[URL=http://allAngelinaJolie.info]Angelina Jolie . .![/URL] Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
randavance



Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Sat Dec 16, 2006 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm currently burning myself a DSL-N live CD to test out before I put it onto my USB half gig pen drive. I've used DSL before and I like it, but I completely agree with you.

We have some space still, why not use Firefox and Thunderbird. We should be looking for quality more now that the 50mb barrier has been broken, just still keep it minimal.

Personally my biggest complaint with DSL is that its not attractive by default. This may sound a little silly, but I believe appearance is a huge deal. Thats why when I do put this on my USB drive the first thing I'm doing is installing Firefox/Thunderbird. Removing the Mozilla suite. And installing IceWM with a nice theme.

I'm a strong believer in my OS looking nice, especially being I'm going to be showing this OS to a lot of friends. I might mess around with adding a few more things to it, I'm not all that sure yet. I would like to get it out of that dark drab fluxbox feel as much as possible. I'll probably replace the icons for tango ones as well.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail AIM Address
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Damn Small Linux - Not! Forum Index -> DSL-N Ideas and Suggestions All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group