A collection of user space programs distributed as a bundle along with a Linux Kernel and usually an installer, however rudimentary. It is often referred to by the short form "distro".
Since Linux is just the Kernel, you can't do much without additional tools. A shell is necessary to let the user type commands. More tools are required to let him manipulate the FileSystem and edit files. Most every task requires a program to be installed. Building a LinuxDistribution means choosing which tools to include for which tasks, and configuring them all to work with each other out of the box as far as possible. Nowadays, a LinuxDistribution is usually equivalent to a large collection of Packages.
Category:Distribution lists:
Older PCs have slower CPU speeds, less RAM and smaller hard disks, maybe not enough to satisfactorily run the mainsteam distros listed above. The mini distros are designed to run on limited hardware or to run from a small medium (such as a memory stick or business card sized CD). Of course, to achieve this, they may lack some features or applications.
Damn Small Linux disk space: 129MB, min RAM: 16MB, desktop: FluxBox
Feather Linux disk space: 277MB, min RAM: 24MB, desktop: FluxBox
PuppyLinux min RAM 32MB, desktop: FVWM95
Vector Linux disk space: 850MB, min RAM 16MB, desktop: ICEwm and FluxBox
TomsRootBoot runs off a floppy disk, min RAM 4MB, no desktop
Some LinuxDistributions can be booted from removable media such as a FloppyDisk, a LiveCD, or a KeyDrive and don't require installation (or indeed any kind of write access at all) to HardDisk. Such a media provides both an excellent way to try out a LinuxDistribution without having to change your Partitions as well as a great tool platform for things like network diagnosis and system repair (be it for Linux or other OperatingSystems).
Gnoppix, a KnoppixLinux spinoff that replaces KDE with GNOMEMepis, yet another KnoppixLinux spinoffSlax, based on SlackwareMoveSlashDot linked to a review of some LiveCDs if you want to read a bit of background about them, and how they compare. (Or you can read the Slashdot discussion for other readers' opinions.)
A cuckoo is a bird that lays its eggs in another bird's nest. In a similar manner, some LinuxDistributions can be installed to HardDisk into another OperatingSystem's Partition, without affecting the host system. This is usually achieved by means of storing image files in the host Partition to contain the Linux FileSystems.
Examples include:
72 pages link to LinuxDistribution:
