Sunday, July 1, 2012

Book on Teeny Weeny Linux-TinyMe-2012-1

Book on Teeny Weeny Linux
I have decided to finish my Little book on Tiny Linux distributions and give a tiny report as I test each one of them before making an entry in my book.
This was long overdue.
Yes one year or so.
It was just as well, I did not finish this task earlier than this.
Lot of changes are taking place of the Linux desktop front, gnome and unity of Ubuntu only little is is talked about the functionality and use of the distribution 
These distributions use very little resorces and can be used, using an old computer taken out of attic and bit of dusting done.
They use forgotten but very useful desktops.
They also use alternative browser.
Browser which is light weight (I have written about it earlier in this site) is useful when one uses the cloud computing utilities too.


About Tiny me.
1. It is a PClinux derivative and called Unity Linux (Don´t confuse with the desktop) long before Ubuntu hijacked that name for its new desktop.
2. Its new version comes in 32 and 64 bits.
3. It detects my old IBM Netvista with a new graphic card easily.
4. Boots quickly
5. Configure the browser with few key strokes.
6. It has new package manger.
7. Its browser is Netserf
8. Above all it has AbiWord my favorite light weight but versatile word processor.
9. It does not tell you how to log in but coming from PCLinux base guessed root first and later with guest (with the password of the same letters) later.
10. It can be installed and CD is only 230 MiB (just above my cut off point which is 200 MiB).
I cannot load from a Tiny pocket size CD.
That is just a minor point.
It is useful as a tiny distribution with a nice looking desktop and why grumble.
It is not a utility distribution like Gparted of RIP but a good desktop to do ones day to day work.
I won´t award any points to any since all of them serve some useful purpose.
I would be grateful for your own comments about this distribution and then I can a  few more colourful lines in my own writing.
THANKS.

Fedora 17 and Sinhala Capability

Fedora 17 and Sinhala Capability
I have some good news for you.
Fedora 17 DVD is out and with torrent it is easy download with many seeders.
It is 3.6 GiB and not a Live DVD
This is not a review since I did not install to see its features.
In graphical installation I went in as far as I could to see in Sinhala and the translators have done a good job
I must remind you Fedora was the Fedora was the first distribution to allow Sinhala font way back almost a decade ago before Sinhala Unicode was available.
Hantahna Linux (14.5 derivative) is currently supporting Sinhala but unfortunately what I downloaded did not have Sinhala Unicode.
Debian is also supporting Sinhala its 6.0.4 is currently out which I have downloaded but did not have time to test.
Debian is going for the version 7 (seven version) and it is better for one to download the latest stable version and use.
The bottom line is if there are not enough users the developers may drop the language capability if not the Unicode since that add to the size of the DVD or CD.
So start using these distribution and give feedback to the developer community.
As far as I have tested Ubuntu has Sinhala capability but not to the extent of Debian and Fedora.