Damn Small Linux or DSL

catmandoo

catmandoo

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Anybody tried this system on a boat . can be used on old PCs or very small sized hardware .

DSL is amall only requires 50 MB little Ram or CCPU processing power and can be run via USB , CD or disc on image mode . Can be used on any computer

Avoids the delay in loading up and shutting down windows. Clams to run on anything

web site www.damnsmalllinux.org
 
Never used it on a boat but I use it all the time on my main desktop as it boots in just a few seconds - you can't fill it with bloatware even if you want to so you'll struggle to slow it down. It's the default option on GRUB for me

I can mount my Windows partitions as well my Linux partitions (including ZFS) so it's ideal if you just want to browse the web, open a doc or something. I've got it on a 16GB USB drive as well where it's ideal for using on other people's computers.
 
catmandoo said:
Anybody tried this system on a boat . can be used on old PCs or very small sized hardware .

DSL is amall only requires 50 MB little Ram or CCPU processing power and can be run via USB , CD or disc on image mode . Can be used on any computer

Avoids the delay in loading up and shutting down windows. Clams to run on anything

web site www.damnsmalllinux.org
Click to expand...

I've tried it. It certainly is very small, but I found corresponding restrictions - it just didn't want to know about the graphics chipset in an old compaq laptop. Well worth trying, but compare with other minimal systems like Puppy Linux.
 
orbister said:
I've tried it. It certainly is very small, but I found corresponding restrictions - it just didn't want to know about the graphics chipset in an old compaq laptop. Well worth trying, but compare with other minimal systems like Puppy Linux.
Click to expand...

Plus a lot of older slower machines, which would benefit from DSL, won't boot from USB (or don't have USB) or even from CD.

It also looks like DSL has limited WiFi drivers and no Bluetooth (haven't tried it though) so you'd have to install the modules separately.

I multiboot PCLinuxOS and XP
 
one of the problems with modern laptops is their thirst for power and the long time it takes to start up and shut down . On a boat all you want to do is accesss the internet to get weather and email . Another factor is space so an old small laptop that can be started up to get the data and shut off immediately would be great
 
catmandoo said:
one of the problems with modern laptops is their thirst for power and the long time it takes to start up and shut down . On a boat all you want to do is accesss the internet to get weather and email . Another factor is space so an old small laptop that can be started up to get the data and shut off immediately would be great
Click to expand...

Then how about a netbook, Small, Relatively fast (especially compared with say an old P2), SSD instead of thirsty HD, Linux - Ubuntu, Kubuntu, TinyMe or similar have good WiFi capabilities, bluetooth for your GPS, hibernated instead of shut down for fast restart, and some of the 3 cell ones will run from a 12V D.C. supply.

TinyMe is a minimalist derivative of PCLinuxOS and is easily configured onto a boot drive with your preferred apps and modules using the included makelivecd.

SeaClear runs perfectly under WINE so that's another good solution

Plus - no virus worries with Linux

Plus - Chrome browser is now working under Linux

I hate to say this but, for your minimalist requirements, surely a WinMo pda/phone is the best option - Instant startup, built in WiFi, GPS, BT, GPRS, EDGE, 3G, charged with a low power 12V USB charger, loads of available apps etc. etc.
 
catmandoo said:
one of the problems with modern laptops is their thirst for power and the long time it takes to start up and shut down .
Click to expand...
That's just two reasons why I love my eeePC 701. Boots in seconds, runs on 9.5V; also, uses negligible power, runs SeaClear (navigation), zyGrib (weather), JTides, internet/email via 3G dongle, plays music and video. If only they'd make it waterproof!
 
zygrib

elton said:
That's just two reasons why I love my eeePC 701. Boots in seconds, runs on 9.5V; also, uses negligible power, runs SeaClear (navigation), zyGrib (weather), JTides, internet/email via 3G dongle, plays music and video. If only they'd make it waterproof!
Click to expand...

i have an eeePC but cant get zygrib to work . What is the secret?
 
catmandoo said:
i have an eeePC but cant get zygrib to work . What is the secret?
Click to expand...
If you are running Ubuntu or a derivative (I use EasyPeasy) then it's dead simple. Add the repository and then install using apt-get or synaptic. Details at http://www.zygrib.org/index.php?page=abstract_en
If you are not running Ubuntu it may be a little harder. The Xandros distributed with the Eee is also Debian derived, though, so it would be worth trying the Ubuntu <= 8.10 depository to see if that works.
 
Tried DSL last year on an old laptop where the harddrive had stopped working but found it too restricted and/or not too user friendly. Since I don't speak linux fluently I gave up after a while.
Later I discovered SliTaz which I found very easy to use. It's rather frugal at 30MB but came with everything I needed incuding wifi support and easily accessible external usb drives etc.
I'd second the vote for puppy though which even allows you saving all your settings on say a usb stick so you don't have to re-enter them every time.
 
elton said:
I followed this excellent tutorial. It looks a bit daunting if you've never compiled from source before, but if you follow the instructions exactly it does work.

(btw I'm using the standard Xandros in 'advanced mode')
Click to expand...

Since I wrote that tutorial, zyGrib has bee added to the Ubuntu repository. The latest version can be added using the following tutorial (assuming ubuntu 9.04):

1) Add the source location to the file which lists where Ubuntu gets files from

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

This should open a text file, add the following line at the end:

deb http://doc.hausser.ch/debpackages ubuntu-dha free2

2) Ubuntu can use a secure key to check the contents of online repositories, add zyGribs key:

wget http://doc.hausser.ch/debpackages/dha-debpackages.key -O - | sudo apt-key add -

3) Install zyGrib

sudo apt-get install zyGrib


zyGrib should be installed, and will update when new software is released. If you're running 8.10 or earlier or want to download the (much) better maps, then look at this page for info http://www.zygrib.org/index.php?page=abstract_en#section_ubuntu

PS You can probably do this through the GUI too, by adding the repo and key URLs in the Sources dialogue box and then using the package manager to hunt for zyGrib
 
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2nd_apprentice said:
Tried DSL last year on an old laptop where the harddrive had stopped working but found it too restricted and/or not too user friendly. Since I don't speak linux fluently I gave up after a while.
Later I discovered SliTaz which I found very easy to use. It's rather frugal at 30MB but came with everything I needed incuding wifi support and easily accessible external usb drives etc.
I'd second the vote for puppy though which even allows you saving all your settings on say a usb stick so you don't have to re-enter them every time.
Click to expand...


SliTaz also allows you to create your own - would be good to get a sailing version on the go.
 
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