Damn Small Linux: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:46, 21 June 2025

Revision as of 21:05, 29 July 2025

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[[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. ItDSL wasis designed to run [[graphical user interface]] applications on older PC [[Computer hardware|hardware]], forbut example,the machinesexact withspecifications [[Intelrequired 80486|486]]differ andsignificantly earlybetween [[Pentium]]the [[microprocessor]]soriginal version and verythe littlemodern [[random-access memory]] (RAM). DSL is a [[live CD]] with a size of 50 [[megabyte]]s (MB). What originally began as an experiment to see how much software could fit in 50 MB eventually became a full Linux distribution. It can be installed on [[storage media]] with small capacities, like [[bootable business card]]s, [[USB flash drive]]s, various [[memory card]]s, and [[Zip drive]]sversion.

== History ==

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DSL was originally based on Model-K, a 22&nbsp;MB stripped-down version of [[Knoppix]], but soon after was based on Knoppix proper, allowing much easier [[Software remastering|remastering]] and improvements. The distribution is now based on [[Debian]] and [[antiX]].<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>

=== Original DSL ===

Originally, DSL supported machines with as little as an [[Intel 80486|486]] [[microprocessor]] and 8 [[megabyte]]s (MB) of [[random-access memory]] (RAM). The live CD itself was only 50&nbsp;MB in size.

What originally began as an experiment to see how much software could fit in 50&nbsp;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&nbsp;MB, but still supports older [[32-bit]] systems. This version is based on [[antiX]] rather than [[Knoppix]].

== System requirements ==

DSL is designed to primarily support [[x86]] PCs. The minimum system requirements arefor the older version were a [[Intel 80486|486]] processor and 8&nbsp;MB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]]. DSL has been demonstrated by browsing the web with [[Dillo]], running simple games, and playing music on systems with a 486 processor and 16&nbsp;MB of RAM. The system requirements are higher for running [[Firefox|Mozilla Firefox]] and optional add-ons such as the [[OpenOffice.org]] office suite.

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