WelcomeWelcome | FAQFAQ | DownloadsDownloads | WikiWiki

Author Topic: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers  (Read 4767 times)

Offline Guy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1089
Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« on: February 15, 2011, 04:35:51 PM »
Quote
Robert Shingledecker has announced the release of Tiny Core Linux 3.5, a minimalist, but extensible distribution suitable for older computers with limited resources:

Comment on Distrowatch

Quote
The Distrowatch website says Tiny Core is "suitable for older computers with limited resources."

Tiny Core is suitable for all types of computers.

Tiny Core users would like to see this corrected on this website.

After installing Tiny Core, you can choose which applications to install. Most people install the same applications as other common Linux distros.

A small minority of users have older computers, and may install applications which use less resources.

Tiny Core is suitable for all types of computers.

Response from one person

Quote
This is from TinyCore's own website:

"Tiny Core is:
* Very Small. At 10 megabytes, Tiny Core is 1/400 to 1/100 the size of the most widely used operating systems in the world (even compared to most Linux distros). That makes Tiny Core flexible enough to be stored and run from a dusty old laptop, old usb sticks, a just-about-full CD, or even non-traditional devices and embedded systems like mobile phones and hand-held hardware."

This gives one the impression it is especially suitable for older hardware.
DW lists it in 3 categories: 'Desktop', 'Live Medium' and 'Old Computers'. I'd say they have it covered.
Personally I've used it from a USB stick on very old to very new machines.
A fine and unique distro.

It seems the first step is to improve the wording on the Tiny Core website.

Also see this:

Quote
    * Based on: Independent
    * Origin: USA
    * Architecture: i386
    * Desktop: flwm
    * Category: Desktop, Live Medium, Old Computers
    * Status: Active


Tiny Core Linux is a very small (10 MB) minimal Linux desktop. It is based on Linux 2.6 kernel, BusyBox, Tiny X, FLTK graphical user interface and flwm window manager, running entirely in memory. It is not a complete desktop, nor is all hardware completely supported; it represents only the core needed to boot into a very minimal X Window desktop, typically with wired Internet access. This minimal desktop can be extended by installing additional applications from online repositories.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2011, 04:40:19 PM by Guy »
Many people see what is. Some people see what can be, and make a difference.

Offline roberts

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7361
  • Founder Emeritus
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2011, 07:46:20 PM »
I agree that this clause is inaccurate. Since there are three categories and they have it listed in all three, why would they emphasize one.

Much more suitable and accurate would be:
Quote
 Robert Shingledecker has announced the release of Tiny Core Linux 3.5, a minimalist, extensible distribution.

I will edit denonlt's Introduction webpage. I was just in there formating it to more closely match the format used throughout our site.

In the next day or two I will also have Rich's newbie guide formatted and posted.

The ibiblio migration issue, on going, and getting ready for Scale 9x has me very busy.

Thanks for the heads up and effort to set the record straight.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2011, 08:41:12 PM by roberts »
10+ Years Contributing to Linux Open Source Projects.

Offline Guy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1089
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2011, 11:56:38 PM »
What do you think of:

Quote
It is not a complete desktop, nor is all hardware completely supported
Many people see what is. Some people see what can be, and make a difference.

Offline bmarkus

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7183
    • My Community Forum
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2011, 12:07:58 AM »
When you are selling somehing never say "nor"
Béla
Ham Radio callsign: HA5DI

"Amateur Radio: The First Technology-Based Social Network."

Offline Guy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1089
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2011, 12:27:15 AM »
Don't you think it should say: There are several desktops which can be used.

Is less hardware supported than other Linux distros?

I think Distrowatch gives the impression it is an inferior operating system, which discourages people from trying it.
Many people see what is. Some people see what can be, and make a difference.

Offline tinypoodle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3857
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2011, 01:16:02 PM »
Don't you think it should say: There are several desktops which can be used.

If I would read such, that would rather keep me away.
To me it would imply that a system would be designed so a user would have to choose between several "desktops" a la GNOME, KDE, Xfce, LXDE etc.
"Software gets slower faster than hardware gets faster." Niklaus Wirth - A Plea for Lean Software (1995)

Offline roberts

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7361
  • Founder Emeritus
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2011, 03:44:19 PM »
Based on this thread I emailed the kind folks at DistroWatch.
My requested edit to their lead in to our announcement has been done and now reads:
Quote
Robert Shingledecker has announced the release of Tiny Core Linux 3.5, a minimalist, but extensible distribution:

10+ Years Contributing to Linux Open Source Projects.

Offline roberts

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7361
  • Founder Emeritus
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2011, 10:01:17 AM »
What do you think of:

Quote
It is not a complete desktop, nor is all hardware completely supported

Removed from web page.
10+ Years Contributing to Linux Open Source Projects.

Offline Guy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1089
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2011, 12:53:13 PM »
Many people see what is. Some people see what can be, and make a difference.

Offline roberts

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7361
  • Founder Emeritus
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2011, 05:25:21 AM »
I see that DistroWatch has processed my request and updated our page.
10+ Years Contributing to Linux Open Source Projects.

Offline roberts

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7361
  • Founder Emeritus
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2011, 08:55:10 AM »
FYI. Freshmeat also now updated.
http://freshmeat.net/projects/tinycorelinux
10+ Years Contributing to Linux Open Source Projects.

Offline tinypoodle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3857
"Software gets slower faster than hardware gets faster." Niklaus Wirth - A Plea for Lean Software (1995)

Offline Guy

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1089
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2011, 11:40:00 AM »
People who don't know anything about Tiny Core read a few lines, and get an impression about it. From this, they either decide to try it, or not to try it. If they don't try it, they never know anymore about it.

I think the comments that Tiny Core is for old computers, for example, has discouraged many people from trying it.

With better wording, people get a better first impression, and more people try it.

I think, if "Old Computers" was removed from "Category" on the Distrowatch site, even more people would try it.
Many people see what is. Some people see what can be, and make a difference.

Offline hexeta

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 11
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2011, 02:52:29 PM »
I think the comments that Tiny Core is for old computers, for example, has discouraged many people from trying it.

With better wording, people get a better first impression, and more people try it.

I think, if "Old Computers" was removed from "Category" on the Distrowatch site, even more people would try it.
It's exactly that which brought me here!
Had it not mentioned "Old Computers", I would certainly not have lingered for more than "a cursory butchers" as they say in the UK. :D
(a Butchers - short for a Butchers Hook - Cockney rhyming slang for "a look" ;))
I'm struggling with a Thinkpad 600E on which I was advised to run Mint 9 Lxde,
so don't presume that we all have nice shiny whizzy multi Gig machines!
My belief is that a considerable number of users are enticed into the Linux fold by trying to breathe new life into old kit, and if successful, or they enjoy the ride, then they are hooked!!
« Last Edit: February 23, 2011, 02:54:52 PM by hexeta »

Offline roberts

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7361
  • Founder Emeritus
Re: Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2011, 10:12:40 AM »
Old, New, Embedded, all are targets of Tiny Core.
Don't Ignore What's in Core.  ;D

The only change I requested was not to preface every release announcement that Tiny Core is for old computers. On the main web page at DistroWatch, Tiny Core remains listed in all three current categories: Desktop, Live Medium, Old Computers

I actually suggested they add a new category, embedded.
10+ Years Contributing to Linux Open Source Projects.