Damn Small Linux (DSL) officially received a 2024 alpha test build after an alleged final release in 2007.
Yes, it's older and thicker now (it's increased the file size from 50MB to about 700MB live, and 3.3GB when fully installed), but even though it doesn't fit on a (extremely cool) starter business card Although it is no longer more than a normal full-size CD-ROM, it can still function as live: meaning that it does not need to be installed either for testing or for full-time use like a normal CD-ROM. OS or part of a data recovery workflow.
Furthermore, Linux has always been a matter of choice, so variety in its lightweight Linux distributions It's always nice. The only problem is, if you're a WSL evangelist who thinks Judgment Day is here, well, you might want to keep your bootstrapped businesses.
Damn little Linux alpha
Look, it's an alpha version. It's not ready. Unless you're a complete Linux fanatic and live for this stuff, it's basically just a curiosity. If you're a regular Windows user and just opening your mind, think of the alpha release as Damn Small Linux showing signs of life as a project.
And even if you think that's harsh enough, keep in mind that while DSL scales down the rather bloated antiX distribution it's based on (itself a lightweight variant of Debian with live boot) this might not be enough right now.
Register He notes that there are still choices to be made between window managers and web browsers, and you still need to have some aptitude for the technology, if not Linux itself, before diving in.
It may be smaller than Raspberry Pi Desktop (certainly the best entry point for Linux beginners looking for lightweight hardware and software) but, at least right now, it's probably not ready for prime time.
I can't even end this by wiping away a tear of WSL nostalgia, because I don't have any. However, it's always nice to see more Linux distributions designed to run on basically anything that supports boot devices. Am I as excited as you? Almost certainly not. I am intrigued? Sure.
