DSL Can Shake The Big Linux Tree !!Forum: DSL Ideas and Suggestions Topic: DSL Can Shake The Big Linux Tree !! started by: dyad Posted by dyad on Jan. 02 2004,19:10
How can DSL shake the Big Linux tree? Let's think about it a bit. There are over 6000 linux software packages that are currently maintained around the world. There are three types of software packaging apt-get, rpm, and tar.gz and some 180 different Linux distributions. That creates a lot of confusion and wasted parallel effort. Of course it is all natural, and organic, nobody used force and made it happen this way. Because rpm is environment sensitive (SuSE or Redhat, etc) it is mostly only functional within commercial company distributions. (If you do rpm you get stuck inside of SuSE.) Tar.gz is a long way form being automated, so it seems to me that Debian packaging will be the ultimate winner in the long run.The major reason people don't use Debian is because it is so hard to get started. Too many choices, too much stuff to download with a modem, and too hard to boot up and get to a word processor. With SuSE it only takes a few hours, and not a few days. This is where DSL can really change the Linux world. DSL is really cool and offers a lot that is not found in other distributions, like very small size and very easy to install. But DSL is also like a pin stuck in the wall. Its core is done by one person. That is just too much work to keep updating the kernel and keeping it current. It seems to me that building a set of bash or perl scrips, that would automate the build process into two stages would solve a lot of problems. Stage one is a minimum base, stage two would be an application base. The starting base stage should be something around 40 megs which would have live-boot from CD, X-windows, Fluxbox, hardware detect, network basics, rxvt, vi, wget and not much else. It would contain programs start and programs end variables, that direct the transformation from HD build to CD-live-boot build process. It might also have a set of hooks, to allow the application base to glue itself into the base. The application stage build scripts could then provide web browser choice, text editor, word processor, web server, and other options. Because it is based on the starting base, it could be transformed using the live-CD script into a boot CD, by modifying the programs start and programs end variables. Besides keeping DSL current, it would also allow for diversity. Which application do you want? An item check list could be created which would allow selection. Use cdrecord or not, along with other configuration issues. The user could pick the right mix for them and their needs. I also think the name 'damnsmall' should be changed, because DSL would have improved debian's install and configuration process. The live CD would be a perfect rescue disk. I think DSL should be dropped for 'Debian-Live' or a more general purpose label. DSL has shown what can be done with Debian, it explodes where Linux can fit and shortens the time it takes to get there. If this transformation process can be codified and shared, it will shake the big Linux tree and save lots of effort for years to come. Maybe several years from now, it will be possible to configure a live R-W CD with choice of processor optimizations, browsers, software tools, and pick a cron job to upgrade it and keep it current. Magic stuff that is easy to use. This could spell the end of SuSE and Redhat. Just speculating. Not a complaint in any way.. Bill Savoie Posted by dyad on Jan. 03 2004,16:18
It seems that Knoppix has created a whole bunch of children, and that Morphix is a child focused on being modular.< http://morphix.sourceforge.net/modules/news/ > It is bigger than DSL, but it tries to automate the build process. Customization of Live-CD's seems to be the way of the future, and maybe in a few years the end of SuSE and Redhat. Companies only exist because something is hard, once that barrier is broken, they die of their own weight. Water wears down rocks. Eventually all the children will get an eduation, not just the rich kids. Gosh forgive me, I am way off subject. May peace and love be your path.. Bill Savoie Posted by John on Jan. 03 2004,20:54
Reading through this post I did keep thinking about Morphix. Morphix is poised to do this much more than DSL. Being stuffed and small and snipped and tricked into being 50MB, DSL isn't really setup to be scalable. I think it does make a good base for < other small distros >, but it isn't the "OS revolution" distribution.One thing that I am proud of though is the way it easily brings life back into old PCs. That alone does a lot of good and it a fine accomplishment for a small group of loosely organized part time hackers. Posted by dyad on Jan. 03 2004,23:35
What amazes me about Linux and the linux community, is how open people are. John publishes lots of information about how to do things, and this makes it a great culture to learn from. A business culture can only be open to a degree, then they must stop, because you will learn to be independent. This is the problem with Yast from SuSE, it brings you back to SuSE, and you become dependent. SuSE does not have the open help forum that DSL does. It just seems that our software culture is changing, and it is changing for the better. I am 58 years old, and it is so much fun to go out and learn new things.. Thanks folks for making it all happen.. Microsoft, pack your bags..Thanks to all the people of DSL. Bill Savoie www.dyad.org |