User Feedback :: Smaller, nearly apps-less DSL?
If you went with a smaller version, I would like to see it as an additional version and not the primary one. My focus with small distros is running them with QEMU and a nearly app-less version would be a nice building block to re-master. DSL is a great way to get non-techy people involved in Linux.
Why would you strip away the apps? Just to make it smaller for the sake of downloading time? If that's the case then I don't think it's worth it. I do think it would be a good idea, though, if it were possible to use the extra space to add more modules to the base to handle more network cards and such. Then it might have a better chance of running for everyone and then allowing them to download the apps that the want.
I lovdsl...when I installed to the pent166..I thought..now were talkin..an easy linux install that works right away with mydsl adds..I only wish there were more adds to choose from..however I think a lot of people are looking for something that will install on even older equipment and in this case the apps included are of little use..so a linux distro that was like dsl but designed for older machines and still offered gui and adds like opera and iscribe xcalc and jpilot and so on would be much desired, this need not be the focus for dsl..but it is certainly desired if such a distro were to be available. my dsl install on a dx2 is ok but nothing like dsl on the pent 166..I can find nothing better for the dx2 but think something better is possible..perhaps an older version of dsl could be fashioned for this purpose..I am not capable but have a dx2 dying to test it out : )
New users of dsl need to see a nice operational desktop. Many of them don't know how to mount USB thumb drives. What would they think if they had to download aps before using them? DSL has been growing in popularity because it is seen as useful. Don't change that appeal for new users.
I think DSL is on a good course especially for people not so familiar with linux. I think it already is the case that other things can be added easily by the community (extra modules, libs, drivers, etc...) as myDSL apps. There have been people stripping down DSL for their own use so maybe a forum specifically for this topic could be set up. That would be a good way for interested people to learn and share but I don't think the general users would benefit from a stripped DSL. As many people have already stated, DSL just works (for most users), and it is fast, that is the beauty of it.
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