Version 20 of Puppy Linux

Updated 2005-02-28 12:12:25 by lwv

What: Puppy Linux

 Where: http://www.goosee.com/puppy/
        http://www.goosee.com/puppy/news.htm
 Description: Yet another one of the gazillion [Linux] distros available.
        Currently at version 0.9.9 .
 Updated: 06/2004
 Contact: Barry Kauler <mailto:[email protected]>

Remarkable for two reasons:

  • it is very small (48 Mb);
  • the creator is very fond of Tcl. About half of the bundled applications are written in Tcl/Tk.

Besides:

  • It boots and runs off its installation CD, like Knoppix.
  • Very easy to try. Designed to fit on a business card size CD and easy to install to a USB pen drive or Zip disk.
  • Runs entirely in RAM, so it's fast, and releases the CD drive for other use.
  • It can be rejigged to run on low-spec. PCs (586, 32RAM; 128MB recommended).

NEM: There doesn't seem to be any mention of Tcl or Tk on the website. Is it just not advertised?

LES: I tried an old version, 0.8 I think. Many of the applications and scripts are Tcl/Tk. This version even has specTcl and visual Tcl. These were removed in the newest releases, but snack got in. Open the "news" page [L1 ] and look for "20Jun04". Also, check the developers' page [L2 ] and look for "guiding philosophy". The author states: "applications ... must be written in Tcl/Tk, C or C++".

AET 11feb05 A remarkable little distro. I easily got it working in Windows XP by downloading one of the .iso's and booting it in qemu [L3 ]. My first look at both Puppy and qemu. Reportedly very easy to rebuild, so a 'roll your own' version with lotsa Tcl goodies is viable. Puppy can use a USB stick or other device for a persistent /home.

Category Distribution