Damn Small Linux
| Distribution of Linux | |
 | |
| Architecture | i386 |
|---|---|
| Initial version | DSL 1.0 (13 April 2005) |
| Latest version | DSL 2024-rc4 (21 May 2024) |
| User interface | Fluxbox, JWM |
| Package manager | apt |
| Terminal shell | bash |
Damn Small Linux is a small Linux distribution that comes in a 50 MB LiveCD (700 MB for DSL 2024). It bundles lightweight applications such as Dillo (web browser), XMMS (multimedia application), FTP client, etc. It can run on at least 486SX CPU and 16 megabytes of RAM (128 MB recommended). The last release before its revival in 2024, 4.4.10, was released on 18 November 2008, while the last Release Candidate, 4.11 RC2, was released on 26 September 2012. It features the Linux 2.4 kernel.
2024 revival[edit | edit source]
Damn Small Linux would be revived by its original developer in 2024, rebasing it on antiX 23 which is itself a Debian derivative. This version aims to pack a full-featured modern GNU/Linux experience onto a single 700 MB CD. Over time, as the Linux kernel and its associated programs grew in size, source code, manual pages, and documentation of command-line utilities had to be removed to compensate for the constrained space on the LiveCD image. Unlike the original DSL, apt is fully enabled.