this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2024
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Do you have an old PC lying around gathering dust? How about a small-capacity USB flash drive sitting, unloved in a drawer? You can reuse your old computer and a USB flash drive by installing a tiny Linux distribution.

Mini Linux distros are great as they require fewer system resources than other options yet still deliver a whole operating system experience, and we have nine of the smallest Linux distros for you to choose from.

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[–] db2@lemmy.world 76 points 9 months ago (2 children)

tl;dr:

ArchBang
Tiny Core Linux
Absolute Linux
Porteus
Puppy Linux
SliTaz
antiX Linux
Bodhi Linux
Linux Lite

[–] LeFantome@programming.dev 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I was impressed with antiX as a light-weight system. If you are ok with a tiling window manager, ArchBang is good too.

They are essentially stripped-down Debian and Arch respectively.

[–] Montagge@kbin.earth 6 points 9 months ago (3 children)

I didn't care for PuppyLinux as it didn't run well with even just Firefox open. I also didn't care for the updating structure that seemed to be the idea that you just don't update packages between releases. I could be wrong on that, but that was what I got from reading on how to keep things up to date. I did like how small it is and how it loads into memory on boot.

AntiX wouldn't let me install any packages or update. It would keep telling me I needed to wait a few hours to access the repos. I did like how you could swap between several desktop environments easily.

[–] BrianTheeBiscuiteer@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

The lack of systemd was something I couldn't get over. I mean the alternative service managers are good but a few apps I really need have a strong dependency on systemd and the adapter packages just weren't working. Otherwise I highly recommend AntiX. It made my old netbook feel useful again.

[–] kanzalibrary@lemmy.ml 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

AntiX wouldn’t let me install any packages or update. It would keep telling me I needed to wait a few hours to access the repos. I did like how you could swap between several desktop environments easily.

Just manual change the repo and problem solved..

And I need to clarify this because AntiX IMO, under category Permacomputing for low power consumption without too much sacrificing the function than others [in my experiment].

[–] Montagge@kbin.earth 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[–] kanzalibrary@lemmy.ml 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)
[–] Montagge@kbin.earth 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Gotcha! I've never done that before so it didn't occur to me to do it.

Luckily Xubuntu did the trick on that old laptop

[–] kanzalibrary@lemmy.ml 1 points 9 months ago

Luckily Xubuntu did the trick on that old laptop

yeah, because ubuntu have more stable repo server than antix. but if i comparison two of them in power consumption, antix used less power 3x in ram than xubun.

[–] faintwhenfree@lemmus.org 1 points 9 months ago

Tiny core Linux ftw