Distrowatch - Tiny Core for old computers

[Guy]

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

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

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:

    * 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.

[roberts]

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:

 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.

[Guy]

What do you think of:

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

[bmarkus]

When you are selling somehing never say "nor"

[Guy]

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.

[tinypoodle]

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.

[roberts]

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:

Robert Shingledecker has announced the release of Tiny Core Linux 3.5, a minimalist, but extensible distribution:

[roberts]

What do you think of:

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

Removed from web page.

[Guy]

Remains on the Distrowatch page.

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=tinycore

[roberts]

I see that DistroWatch has processed my request and updated our page.

[roberts]

FYI. Freshmeat also now updated.
http://freshmeat.net/projects/tinycorelinux

[tinypoodle]

FYI. Freshmeat also now updated.
http://freshmeat.net/projects/tinycorelinux

Wow, that made the stats skyrocket:
http://freshmeat.net/projects/tinycorelinux/date_metrics

[Guy]

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.

[hexeta]

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.
(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!!

[roberts]

Old, New, Embedded, all are targets of Tiny Core.
Don't Ignore What's in Core. 

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.