User Feedback :: How does DSL have so low RAM requirements?

Is there any page which details what has been done to e.g. the kernel, bash, firefox etc. to reduce its hard disk usage and memory usage? For instance, if any patches have been applied, compilation options, autoconf options, what files have been removed etc.

Thank you.

kernel -> knoppix 2.4.26 (compiled for 386 with smp)
bash -> 2.05b
firefox (various) -> gtk1 builds, 1.x - probably the heaviest app. Will only probably be used with more memory equipped machines.

xserver -> TinyX (xvesa or xf86dev)
wm -> fluxbox

The packages page i know is quite outdated though...

That's all? No complex configuration, removal of files etc.?

If you intend to compare DSL with some of the more commonly used distributions, you can look at those differences as being a huge factor in memory usage. Most distros use KDE or Gnome as their desktops, both of which are incredible hogs when compared to Fluxbox. The simple fact that Firefox uses Gtk1.2 instead of Gtk2 is also a fairly big ram saver. Those distros using KDE/Gnome also tend to use the heavier Qt/Gtk2 applications as defaults. For example, Konqueror or Nautilus as the default filemanager will eat much more ram than Emelfm or Midnight Commander.

You might also consider that most other popular distros are configured to load a few (or more) daemons automatically...ssh, samba, sound manager, sendmail/postfix, and syslog are common. DSL loads nothing extra by default.

original here.