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{{Short description|Lightweight, desktop-oriented Linux distribution}}
{{
{{Infobox OS
| logo =
▲| name = Damn Small Linux
| logo size = 150px
| screenshot =
| caption = Damn Small Linux 4.4.10▼
| screenshot_size = 250px
| developer = John Andrews, et al.▼
| family = [[Unix-like]]▼
| source_model = [[Open source]]▼
| working_state = Dormant▼
|
| latest_release_version = {{Wikidata|properties|preferred|references|edit|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest_release_date = {{Start date and age|{{Wikidata|qualifier|single|P348|P577|P548=Q2804309}}}}
| latest_preview_version = {{Wikidata|properties|preferred|references|edit|P348|P548=Q1072356}}
| kernel_type = [[Monolithic kernel|Monolithic]] [[Linux kernel]]▼
| latest_preview_date = {{Start date and age|{{Wikidata|qualifier|single|P348|P577|P548=Q1072356}}}}
| license = [[Free software]] licenses<br>(mainly [[GPL]])▼
| ui = [[Fluxbox]], JWM<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wingbermuehle |first1=Joe |title=JWM (Joe's Window Manager) |url=https://joewing.net/projects/jwm/ |website=joewing.net |access-date=1 June 2024 |___location=St. Louis, Missouri}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|www.damnsmalllinux.org}}▼
}}
[[File:DamnSmallLinux.webm|thumb|Damn Small Linux demonstration]]
'''Damn Small Linux''' ('''DSL''') is a [[Linux distribution]] for the [[x86]] family of [[personal computer]]s. It is [[free and open-source software]] under the terms of the [[GNU GPL]] and other free and open-source licenses. DSL is designed to run [[graphical user interface]] applications on older PC [[Computer hardware|hardware]], but the exact specifications required differ significantly between the original version and the modern version.
== History ==
DSL was originally conceived and maintained by John Andrews. For five years the community included Robert Shingledecker who created the MyDSL system, DSL Control Panel and other features. After issues with the main developers,
DSL was originally based on Model-K, a 22
=== Original DSL ===
Originally, DSL supported machines with as little as a [[Intel 80486|486]] [[microprocessor]] and 8 [[megabyte]]s (MB) of [[random-access memory]] (RAM). The live CD itself was only 50 MB in size.
What originally began as an experiment to see how much software could fit in 50 MB eventually became a full Linux distribution. It could be installed on [[storage media]] with small capacities, like [[bootable business card]]s, [[USB flash drive]]s, various [[memory card]]s, and [[Zip drive]]s.
This version of DSL was last developed in 2012, with its last stable release in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Jesse Smith |title=Damn Small Linux |url=https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=damnsmall |website=distrowatch.com |publisher=Atea Ataroa Limited |access-date=9 February 2024 |___location=Copenhagen |language=en-US |date=2 February 2024}}</ref>
=== Modern DSL ===
In 2024, a release candidate for DSL was released, the first in twelve years. This newer version has rather higher system requirements, and a size limit of 700 MB, but still supports older [[32-bit]] systems. This version is based on [[antiX]] rather than [[Knoppix]].
== System requirements ==
DSL
<!--Features section below could use an update based on the 2024-alpha-->
== Features ==
* [[Text editor]]s: Beaver, [[Nano (text editor)|Nano]], [[Vim (text editor)|Vim]]
* [[File manager]]s: DFM, emelFM
* Graphics: [[mtPaint]] (raster graphics editor), [[xzgv]] (image viewer)
* [[Multimedia]]: gphone, [[XMMS]] with [[MPEG-1]] and [[Video CD
* Office: [[Siag Office
* Internet:
** [[Web browser]]s: [[Dillo]], [[
** [[Sylpheed]] ([[E-mail client]])
** [[Naim (chat program)|naim]] ([[AIM (software)|AOL Instant Messenger
** AxyFTP ([[File Transfer Protocol
** Monkey (web server)
** [[Server Message Block
** [[Rdesktop]] ([[Remote Desktop Protocol
* Others: [[Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DSL has built-in scripts to download and install [[Advanced Packaging Tool]] (APT). Once APT is enabled,
== Boot options ==
[[
Boot options are also called "cheat codes" in DSL. Automatic hardware detection may fail, or the user may want to use something other than the default settings (language, keyboard, VGA, fail
== The MyDSL system ==
MyDSL is handled and maintained mostly by Robert Shingledecker and hosted by many organizations, such as [[ibiblio]] and Belgium's BELNET. There are
== Versions and ports ==
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=== Release timeline ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Release history<ref>{{cite web | url =
|-
! Version
Line 119 ⟶ 132:
|4.4
| 2008-06-09
|-
|2024-RC7
| 2024-06-08<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=John |title=DSL 2024 Download |url=https://www.damnsmalllinux.org/2024-download.html |website=www.damnsmalllinux.org |publisher=damnsmalllinux.org |access-date=20 June 2025 |language=en |date=June 8, 2024 |quote=Release Candidate 7 Now Available}}</ref>
|}
===
DSL was [[
Linux distributions derived from Damn Small Linux include '''Hikarunix''', used for a CD image that runs the [[Go (game)|game of Go]] released in 2005,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.assembla.com/wiki/show/Hikarunix | title = Hikarunix | date = n.d. | website = [[Assembla]] | language = en | access-date = 2022-06-09 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080417031019/http://www.assembla.com/wiki/show/Hikarunix | archive-date = 2008-04-17 | df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Hikarunix CD |author= Jean-Claude Chetrit |work= Review by American Go Association |url= http://www.usgo.org/CD2005/reviews/hikarunix_20050520.htm |date= 2005 |url-status= dead |archive-date= July 19, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110719000740/http://www.usgo.org/CD2005/reviews/hikarunix_20050520.htm |access-date= September 15, 2021 }}</ref>
▲DSL was [[Porting|ported]] to the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]] [[video game console]] as X-DSL. X-DSL requires a [[Xbox#Modding|modified]] Xbox. It can run as a Live CD or be installed to the Xbox hard drive. Users have also run X-DSL from a USB flash drive, using the USB adaptor included with [[Phantasy Star Online]], which plugs into the memory card slot and includes one USB 1.1 port. X-DSL boots into a [[X Window System|X11]]-based GUI; the Xbox [[Game controller|controller]] can be used to control the mouse pointer and enter text using a [[virtual keyboard]]. X-DSL has a [[Fluxbox]] desktop, with programs for E-mail, web browsing, word processing and playing music. X-DSL can be customized by downloading extensions from the same MyDSL servers as DSL.
== Live USB ==
A [[Live USB]] of Damn Small Linux can be created manually or with
== Status ==
Due to disagreements and irreconcilable differences among the project's originators and main developers, DSL development seemed to be at a standstill for a long time, and the future of the project was uncertain, much to the dismay of many of the users.<ref name="distrowatch-interview"/>
▲Due to infighting among the project's originators and main developers, DSL development seemed to be at a standstill for a long time, and the future of the project was uncertain, much to the dismay of many of the users.<ref name="distrowatch-interview"/> On July 8, 2012, John Andrews (the original developer) announced that a new release was being developed. The DSL website, including the forums which were once inaccessible, were back as well.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://damnsmalllinux.org/forums/index.php?topic=2.0 | title=DSL coming back}}</ref> The first RC of the new 4.11 was released on August 3, 2012,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://damnsmalllinux.org/forums/index.php?topic=11.0 | title=DSL 4.11 RC1 announcement}}</ref> followed by a second one on September 26. The damnsmalllinux.org site was inaccessible again sometime in 2015 to Feburary 2016. As of March 27, 2016, damnsmalllinux.org is accessible again.
On February 1, 2024, DSL 2024 Alpha 1 was announced and released on the project's webpage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DSL 2024 Information |url=https://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=www.damnsmalllinux.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudra |first=Sourav |date=2024-02-06 |title=Damn Small Linux Release Makes a Comeback After 16 Long Years |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/damn-small-linux-release/ |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=It's FOSS News |language=en}}</ref> May 22nd 2024 the DSL forum has a post "Release Candidate 4 Now Available"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=John |title=DSL Release Candidate 4 Now Available |url=https://damnsmalllinux.org/forums/thread-105.html |website=damnsmalllinux.org |access-date=22 May 2024 |language=en |date=May 22, 2024}}</ref>
Recent reviews of DSL 2024 Alpha 1<ref>{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Brodie |title=Damn Small Linux Returns After 16 Years Of Silence |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKLeqqqNHYU |publisher=YouTube.com |access-date=15 February 2024 |language=en |date=14 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Luke |title=A tiny live-boot Linux installation is back from the dead — sleeping giant awakens for a new lease of life |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/a-tiny-live-boot-linux-installation-is-back-from-the-dead-sleeping-giant-awakens-for-a-new-lease-of-life |website=TechRadar |publisher=Future US, Inc. |access-date=16 February 2024 |language=en |date=14 February 2024}}</ref>
== See also ==
{{Portal|
* [[Comparison of Linux distributions]]
* [[Lightweight Linux distribution]]
* [[List of Linux distributions]]
* [[List of Linux distributions that run from RAM]]
* [[Tiny Core Linux]], the project Robert Shingledecker
▲*[[Damn Vulnerable Linux]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/ Damn Small Linux website]
* [
* {{DistroWatch|damnsmall|
* [http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=interview-damnsmall DistroWatch interview]
* [https://archive.org/download/damn-small/damnsmall-0.4.10.iso Archive.org's DSL ISO Archive]
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* [http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-dsl.html?ca=dgr-wikiaDSLLinux IBM developerWorks review]
* [http://www.osnews.com/story.php?news_id=5597 OSNews review (2004)], [http://www.osnews.com/story/24936/Damn_Small_Linux_Still_Damn_Fun OSNews review (2011)]
* [
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100527221513/http://www.itreviews.co.uk/software/s682.htm Review of version 4.4.10 at IT Reviews]
{{Linux distributions}}
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