Minimal Linux distros

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Revision as of 17:44, 13 November 2006 by Martin (talk | contribs) (+openwrt +tomsrtbt)
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There are a number of Linux distros which attempt to strip Linux down to a minimal set of elements that can run on computers with reduced capabilities. Some of them are targetted to old computers. Some are targetted to so-called embedded systems which are built into machinery, vehicles, home appliances, PDAs and mobile phones.

  • OpenEmbedded Not a distribution, but a tool to build lightweight distributions for various architectures, which includes the Zaurus
  • DeliLinux "Desktop Light" Linux. It is a Linux Distribution for old computers, from 486 to Pentium MMX 166 or so on
  • PuppyLinux targetted to older computers and education. They have put up a page describing how they adapted Puppy to an NTAVO low memory system. See the PuppyLinux page for pointers to an active forum on OLPC.
  • BasicLinux targetted to very old computers including 486es
  • FeatherLinux that takes under 128MB of disk space. Minimal requirement for X is 24MB.
  • ucLinux targetted to embedded systems with low memory and no hard drive (like OLPC)
  • Zaurus this is a Linux-based PDA that uses busybox. It is similar to the OLPC except that it has a PDA-size 640x480 screen.
  • Damn Small Linux - less than 50 MB!
  • ReactOS - An Opensource Windows Clone.Fully working
  • MenuetOS - An Opensource Assembly Language OS.Fully working at great speed, But there is lack of Applications.Have small footprint.since the size is small it can include in a 1.44floppy along with all applications.
  • STX Linux STX Linux is a desktop Linux distribution especially targeted to older hardware. It also works quite well on new PC's.
  • Ubuntu Lite is an unofficial derivation of the Ubuntu Linux distribution. It is intened to be used on much weaker hardware than the offical weak hardware distribution Xubuntu and should run on a Pentium 200Mhz with 64MB RAM. A minimum of 50MB hard disk place is required to install and run it. (Not available anymore. Please see below)
  • Xubuntu is a complete GNU/Linux based system with an Ubuntu base. It's lighter, and more efficient than Ubuntu with GNOME or KDE, since it uses the Xfce Desktop environment, which makes it ideal for old or low-end machines, as well as thin-client networks.
  • Edubuntu: Linux for Young Human Beings - "Ubuntu" is an ancient African word, meaning "humanity to others". The Edubuntu Linux distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to schools, through its customised school environment. The current version of Edubuntu is aimed at classroom use, and future versions of Edubuntu will expand to other educational usage, such as university use.
  • MuLinux, a distribution that runs from a floppy
  • OpenWrt is a distribution for Wireless APs like WRT54G, nice Konfiguration Interface like kernel menuconfig (ncurses?) for build process
  • TomsRtBt Toms Root an Boot floppy is a 1.7MB floppy for rescuing purposes. imho not maintained anymore. Uses bz2 compression for kernel

Please add other minimal Linux distros to this list. In the end, it is unlikely for OLPC to adopt any one of them but it is quite likely that OLPC will borrow good ideas from some of them, such as the busybox from ucLinux.