0.# - Frequently Asked Questions (and short answers)

Updated 01.05.2005

Q) Will DSL ever get bigger than 50mb?

A) No.

The whole idea behind DSL is trying to fit a complete, fully functional desktop into a small footprint. If we were to raise the size, we would be becoming just another distro. And the fun of working more and more functionality out of 50mb would be gone. DSL will NEVER go over 50mb for the base iso. Stop asking.

Q) Can you add XYZ?

A) Maybe!

If it's small, and would add value to the distro, post a suggestion in the "Ideas and Suggestions" area of the forums. If it gets a good reaction, we will consider it.

Q) Why the name?

A) It's really just a way to emphasize the incredible small size of the distro.

If the name insults you, Just do what most people do. Call it "DSL".

Q) How can I help out?

A) Feedback and suggestions are always apprieciated, or you can...

buy a CD,
DSL on a BOOTABLE 128mb usb pendrive,
DSL on a 128mb pendrive that you can run INSIDE Windows,
something from the store, or even
make a donation.

Q) How can I be root in X?

A) Type "sudo [command]" or to stay root "sudo su".

Q) How can I get the scroll wheel on my USB mouse working?

A) Follow this process.

Quit X (ctrl+alt+backspace)

Run xsetup.sh

Select your desired resolution, then select USB mouse.

run startx.

enjoy.


Q) Why doesn't DSL have Gnome or KDE?

A) Because DSL is meant to be fast and light on PC's with minimal resources.

Q: How do I prevent the getting_started.html file from opening at boot time?

A: Open Emelfm and click on the 'H' in the upper left hand corner of the left pane showing the /home/dsl directory. Scroll down to the .xinitrc file and choose 'Edit' from the Emelfm button menu. Look for the dillo line that appears just before 'fluxbox' at the end of the file and place a '#' in front of the word dillo. Save and exit the file and you should be all set.


Q) Will DSL ever use the 2.6 kernel? Has it even been considered?

A) There are currently no plans (from what I have been told) to ever move to a 2.6.x kernel, for the following reasons.

1. The 2.6.x kernel is significantly bigger than the 2.4.x kernel, so it would cramp DSL's functionality.

2. The 2.6.x kernel drops a lot of support for legacy technologies, hardware, etc, and we want to keep DSL functional on as much hardware as possible

3. All major improvements that have occured to the 2.6.x tree have been, and are being backported to the 2.4.x tree, by a very active backporting team. And even though Linus said he would not participate in the backporting process this time, the demand for 2.4.x kernel maintenence is about the same as the demand for updates and improvements to the 2.6.x kernel, so even he has helped in the process, though not as much as what he does toward 2.6 development. For evidence of this activity, take a look at kernel.org, where you can see, the 2.4.30 kernel was released, just a few days after 2.6.10.