DSL-N :: Move from DSL-N rc4 to DSL-N 1.0



Quote (Jason W @ Mar. 18 2007,23:42)
I would like to see DSL-N move forward, of course, and I would also like it to remain true to the DSL heritage of resource friendliness as well as relatively small size rather than be a full blown Linux live cd.   You can't have both at the same time and there are already enough full size live cd's out there in my opinion.

I agree with you, Jason. It doesn't make much sense to me to have DSL-N take off in a completely different direction, such as using Ubuntu as a base (which makes a lot more sense than updating Knoppix 4.0.2 to use Ubuntu's repositories more seamlessly as the other user wanted) or even pkgsrc as I suggested. I figure it would be easier to make a spartan install that leaves just enough for a user to have a clean base on which to build whatever, and do it on the bleeding edge (or pretty close, especially compared to Debian's repositories).

I worked on that a little this weekend. Nutshell: I didn't get far due to the NCAA Tournament (#%@ USC!) and my decision that I'd much rather strip down Knoppix to leave the bits I'd need for pkgsrc than add it back in and restrip DSL-N of stuff that would eventually be upgraded, isn't needed for such a system, etc. I posted a (lack of) progress report:
http://lucky13.blogsavy.com/2007/03/18/progress-report-10/

Last night I decided that it would be easier to just use a standard distro -- such as Slackware (which I've installed over Kubuntu and am now using with pkgsrc) or Debian or one of the BSDs -- for something like that than to build it atop a hard drive install of a  live CD that would have to be restripped anyway. That's too much work when there are already much better solutions like Voltalinux and Bluewall already using Slack and Debian (respectively) with pkgsrc, not to mention the other OSes that can use pkgsrc.

If people want Ubuntu-like systems and want to use the Ubuntu repositories, it's a free download and they'll even send you a free CD. I would be disappointed if DSL-N turned into some branch of Ubuntu -- DSL-N deserves its own niche and should remain true to the spirit of DSL. Since there was nobody who expressed any interest and it's really not the kind of thing I'd use with DSL or DSL-N, I'm going to abandon this and stick with what already works for me.
I totally agree - I ended up back at DSL instead of DSL-N just because there wasn't a quick and simple way to get apt-get sorted. Would strongly suggest that this functionality is either

a) installed as part of the base distro;  or
b) there is a 'point and click' option to get it installed quickly.

b) seems to fit better with the 'small is beautiful' philosophy

I have ended up using DSL on an old machine, very pleased with it, but would have preferred the likes of DSL-N if this had been sorted....

Keep up the good work !
There were three competing video systems in the early 80's: VHS, Video 2000 and BETA. BETA was the system with the best specifications but we know VHS won (because they were sponsoring the publication of the movies on their system, so the range of available movies were a 100 times bigger).

A system only keeps alive as long as there is a need for it. DSL is a well structured system but the days running a 486 system will go by soon. I think DSL will need a new kernel and some improvement you are doing with DSL-N   BUT  most important is: You need any up-to-date package system more than making it easier to handle (it's simple enough).

All my server and desktop systems running on FreeBSD (I prefer BSD in many ways from any linux distro) which aren't bloated with apps. Is my DSL gateway server running on a 486 processor? No it isn't, not because it couldn't (a running 486 DX/66 FreeBSD 4.6
system stands in the cellar) it is because I have an old PIII for it.

I am really not an application junkie but using VIM fastens my life instead of using NVI etc. So I agree with this topic: Go further with DSL-N and add any up-to-date packaging system to it.

P.S.: I have no running Linux, but DSL-N looks like a good choice for a *nix system on a stick.
Some more technical things:

1. It would be a good idea to have DSL-N load its modules from MyDSLN instead of MyDSL, so having both on a CD is easier
2. Rename the KNOPPIX folder and FS file for DSL and DSL-N to "DSL" and "DSLN" (that also needs two lines changed in the linuxrc-file of minirt32.gz)

original here.