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Topic: Why's DSL built on old Software, Great Little Distro

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delphi
Unregistered

Posted: Sep. 15 2005,01:13

Quote (joer @ Sep. 14 2005,17:49)

It just works!

Of course, what "just works" for one person doesn't (quite) work for another - it all depends on what your equipment and needs are (I use USB key and mini CD). Knoppix hardware detection technology used in DSL is much more sutable for 486 you're using. For newer computers though, not using "older programs" doesn't just mean looking 'nice' but, more importantly, much greater functionality (eg. compare FLWriter to AbiWord in Austrumi) and greater security (eg. newer version of Firefox). So clearly, from technical point of view, and like Austrumi demonstrates, a micro size (ie <50MB) doesn't have to mean crippled functionality, or 'looks' for that matter. Again, I'd love to see DSL 'upgrading' to newer and more functional (and 'nicer' looking) apps but also using more up to date (and with more support for some new hardware) kernel...

Cheers,
delphi

joer

Group: Members
Posts: 47
Joined: Feb. 2005

Posted: Sep. 15 2005,02:00

And maybe someday, Austrumi will include enough drivers to support my old and newer hardware. But then it will probably be much larger than 50MB. At least with DSL, I have easy access to the latest Abiword and Firefox. Besides, most distros just leap frog each other with the collection of latest software from various sources. It is the core functionality to get connected that is important to me. But if Austrumi "just works" great for you then you are happy. I will check it again to see if any progress to be anything other than useless on my collection of puters. Like I said before, I'm sure the developers of DSL could do the same thing; but then it too would be useless for me.

delphi

Group: Members
Posts: 4
Joined: Sep. 2005

Posted: Sep. 15 2005,02:54

Quote (joer @ Sep. 14 2005,22:00)

And maybe someday, Austrumi will include enough drivers to support my old and newer hardware. But then it will probably be much larger than 50MB.

Austrumi is 2.5MB smaller than DSL despite newer (and greater no of) apps - on my old computer (8 yrs), with unsupported Riva128 video card, all I needed to do is to add 500kB video module using standard Slackware package. However, I had no such problem on my ageing (4 yrs) AMD1800 - it booted into RAM in 35sec... But the 'real' target machine is going to be a Bare-Bone with the latest VIA hardware...

Quote (joer @ Sep. 14 2005,22:00)

Besides, most distros just leap frog each other with the collection of latest software from various sources.

Yes, but we're not talking about full-blown distros here but min/micro ones - something you could put on a USB key or mini CD (or, ultimately, internal CF card) and use either on something rather old or very minimal Bare-Bone with support for latest hardware and 'almost' instant into-RAM boot up.

What I'd love to see is mixture of DSL's maturity and Austrumi's approach to desktop (they use OpenBox) and apps...

joer

Group: Members
Posts: 47
Joined: Feb. 2005

Posted: Sep. 15 2005,03:10

I think you just illustrated my point. You had to use a slackware package to get your video. I would rather have my base system work. I guess I could try MANY slackware packages to try to get Austrumi to work on my stuff. But then we are now comparing Austrumi + Slackware against DSL. We could debate all night, I am sure DSL could remove many things to offer up the same. But then no base functionality. Your happy with yours and I am happy with mine and I don't feel like dancing anymore.

ke4nt1

Group: Members
Posts: 2329
Joined: Oct. 2003

Posted: Sep. 15 2005,03:12

Austrumi? .. Security?
It runs as ROOT !

It automounts EVERYTHING !
An accidental reboot leaves you crying when
EVERY device you have displays fsck errors.

Older hardware?
It's very ram hungry..
My lil toshiba P-100 40mb lappy has no chance of ever seeing this distro.
What about my 233 w/64MB ram? Will it boot? THEN what ??

Support?
Where are the forums?
Distrowatch lists 3 locations for forum support for austrumi,
but none had any active forums. The home forums seem to be down.
Is there a FAQ? a Wiki?

Is there a safe installer yet?
Will it wipe my XP install? ( It used to.. )
Will it install onto Pendrives? Compact Flash? USB drives? (and boot?)

It's a beautiful interface, with the openbox addition,
but many items are either missing or broken from the desktop.
And it doesn't offer a wealth of cli-type utils, due to lack of room?
( It does have a nice selection of network and server apps. )

Now I'm a BIG fan of GTK2 apps .. Got a BOATload of em'
here at DSL you can easily ADD to your install.
( if your hardware can take the pain ! )

...and if it can't , we've got some 'lighter' options for you too.
Firefox-1.0.6 included.

When I see this "unregistered" drive-by F.U.D. in DSL forums,
I immediately get suspicious.. of course, this reply of mine
is exactly what a drive-by would hope to accomplish, right?
traffic? attention? recognition? curiosity?

It is my wish that austrumi continues to progress.
It shows much potential..

But I feel that DSL has created a nice 'balance' of size,
function, useability, and speed, with some great tools for
building and adding into DSL whatever you need it to do..

73
ke4nt

25 replies since Sep. 09 2005,12:53

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