DSL
- Damn Small Linux
DSL
is a powerful and versatile yet extremely small Linux distribution
with a lot of potential. This distribution provides an avenue
of freedom to those who have been limited by size and age
of their computers as DSL works extremely well on older
hardware.
My
Experience:
I was originally drawn to DSL because of the small size
(50 MB for a complete system). The concept of fitting
an entire OS on 50 MB was not only interesting but also
challenging in many ways. This distribution allowed you
to carry a 50 MB business card CD and start a Linux distribution
on virtually any computer. This was great, but honestly,
there are other Live CDs, with more features, like Knoppix.
So because I only initially saw DSL as a live CD is was
great, but I lost interest and moved on.
However,
...there came a time when I was teaching Linux to an elite
group of grade school students. These students were part
of a club I built around the best technology students
in 2nd to 7th grades. Without a budget we were limited
in what we could provide students in terms of technology
they could keep and use on their own. I wanted to teach
them to build computers as well as install the operating
system. Then I ran into donated computers that were basically
trash. Pentium 166s with 32 RAM. So I started experimenting
with Linux distributions that would work well on these
limited resources. I tried a number including Deli and
Slackware. When I installed DSL I found not only a functional
operating system but also a fast operating system on these
computers. The kids helped me install the DSL and I did
10 hours of instruction and they took the computers home
for themselves. This was a huge success in not only training
students but teaching the community abut Linux and the
values of Open Source.
Summary:
I have played with many Linux distributions but none
like DSL, it fits a unique position in the whole scheme
of things. I think one thing that attracts me to DSL is
that the developers are actively making positive contributions
to the system. DSL can revitalize old systems that would
normally be thrown away. The amazing thing is that it
makes these systems so fast!!! Most Linux distributions
are clogged with programs that are not used but DSL is
finely tuned to be all that you need. Finally, the versatility
of DSL is amazing:
Desktop System
Business card System
Mini-ITX
Embeded Systems
Compact Flash
Thumb Drives
There
are a lot of ways to use DSL. DSL may not be fancy but
it certainly gets the job done effectively.
Mike
Weber
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When
you view the the desktop you will see several tools
that will help you navigate the computer and start programs.
In the upper left corner you see a series of icons which
represent programs that you can start. At the bottom of
the screen you will see a workspace panel to navigate
different environments. In the lower right you will see
a system monitor. This will help you understand what is
happening with your computer.
Version
1.3 brought the transparent shell which is a very
nice feature, one you would expect on a larger distribution.
This is a XShell interface that you can see through instead
of having a solid color. Here you can see that the transparent
XShell is easily selected from the menu.
There
are other options which give you a Light or Dark XShell
depending on what is easiest for you to use. The Root
Access XShell is for issuing commands as root.
 Another
feature that is not only unique but very helpful is the
vertical bar that provides information about how your
computer is working. This bar is divided into six sections:
Network
Usage – indicates what percentage of your network
is being used
CPU Usage – indicates what percentage of your
CPU is used
Memory – the top line shows and indicator
in text MEM 515264 of total RAM
- the second line is a visual bar to indicate percent
of used RAM
- the third line indicates percent free
- SWAP shows how big your SWAP file is
- the bottom line in this box is the percentage of SWAP
used
Drives
– this indicates Floppy / CDROM or USB Drives
Workspaces – the four squares represent workspaces
Sound - the bottom section provides a way to configure
and adjust sound
There
has been a lot of interest in the installation of DSL
on Pendrives, CFDisks, and rebuilding DSL with your own
tweaks. Now all of these options are available from the
menu. by selecting Apps/Tools this window is shown that
will allow you to make your choices.
Mirror
Selector – select the DSL mirror to download
extensions
myDSL Browser – allows you to review extensions
you may want to download and install
CD remaster – script that allows you to rebuild
DSL the way YOU want
Net MAN – find MAN pages online to help with
problems
CD Burn App – burn a CD with DSL
emelFM – file manager
Midnight Commander – file manager that can
run as a user or root
Editres – a tool that edits the X toolkit
widget resources
X Window Snapshot – take a snapshot of the
X Window (screen shot)
Xkill – program that allows you to kill a
rogue application
Dock Apps – allows you to station or dock
applications on the desktop
Install to Hard drive – install DSL to the
hard drive
Frugal Install – installation is read only
Install to USB Pendrive – install DSL to a
Pendrive
Enable Apt – apt allows you to download and
install applications easily
Synaptic – allows you to add applications
from a database online
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