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crankypuss
Jan 17, 2012, 7:59:03 AM1/17/12
to
I'm looking for a small distro that will run off a USB stick in whatever
the not-Live mode is called, the mode where files on the stick are
modified as though it was a regular device. So far the ones that look
like candidates are Damn Small Linux and Knoppix, but I haven't played
with either one yet. I need to be able to install php-cli on the stick
and will be using it as a backup mechanism. Some kind of "window
manager" would be useful but graphics-mode GUI is not necessary.
Comments? (Oh yeah, I'm a newbie, started using Ubuntu about a month
ago, so apologies if this is a stupid question.)
the not-Live mode is called, the mode where files on the stick are
modified as though it was a regular device. So far the ones that look
like candidates are Damn Small Linux and Knoppix, but I haven't played
with either one yet. I need to be able to install php-cli on the stick
and will be using it as a backup mechanism. Some kind of "window
manager" would be useful but graphics-mode GUI is not necessary.
Comments? (Oh yeah, I'm a newbie, started using Ubuntu about a month
ago, so apologies if this is a stupid question.)
Richard Kettlewell
Jan 17, 2012, 8:22:58 AM1/17/12
to
crankypuss <n...@email.thanks> writes:
> I'm looking for a small distro that will run off a USB stick in
> whatever the not-Live mode is called, the mode where files on the
> stick are modified as though it was a regular device.
I have been wondering if there's a snappy name for these things too.
> I'm looking for a small distro that will run off a USB stick in
> whatever the not-Live mode is called, the mode where files on the
> stick are modified as though it was a regular device.
> So far the ones that look like candidates are Damn Small Linux and
> Knoppix, but I haven't played with either one yet. I need to be able
> to install php-cli on the stick and will be using it as a backup
> mechanism. Some kind of "window manager" would be useful but
> graphics-mode GUI is not necessary. Comments? (Oh yeah, I'm a newbie,
> started using Ubuntu about a month ago, so apologies if this is a
> stupid question.)
part of your requirements. The website has instructions, which amount
to "download an ISO and then use Startup Disk Creator".
The instructions say use a 2GB-or-bigger stick; 1G worked when I tried
it but you won't get a lot of mutable persistent space to play with.
--
http://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/
crankypuss
Jan 17, 2012, 8:58:56 AM1/17/12
to
that it takes the USB-burner a long time to initialize it. For example
if I install something like php-cli on the USB stick, presumably that
will remain available the next time I boot from it? But its files
aren't copied in the read-only part of the stick?
Sorry, I'm a newbie and there are still lots of details to accumulate.
Richard Kettlewell
Jan 17, 2012, 9:38:37 AM1/17/12
to
crankypuss <n...@email.thanks> writes:
> I really don't understand how that persistent space business works,
> just that it takes the USB-burner a long time to initialize it. For
> example if I install something like php-cli on the USB stick,
> presumably that will remain available the next time I boot from it?
> But its files aren't copied in the read-only part of the stick?
>
> Sorry, I'm a newbie and there are still lots of details to accumulate.
By inspection: the RO and RW bits are both stored in files on the USB
> I really don't understand how that persistent space business works,
> just that it takes the USB-burner a long time to initialize it. For
> example if I install something like php-cli on the USB stick,
> presumably that will remain available the next time I boot from it?
> But its files aren't copied in the read-only part of the stick?
>
> Sorry, I'm a newbie and there are still lots of details to accumulate.
stick. The RO part is a compressed filesystem, the RW part an ordinary
ext3 filesystem, the same as would be used on a hard disk partition.
IIRC the two are overlaid in order to produce the effect of a single
writable directory tree.
The above applies to the Ubuntu approach; others might do it differently
for all I know. For example it should be perfectly possible to dispose
with the RO filesystem and just have a single (uncompressed) RW
filesystem with everything in it. The design would be simpler but make
less efficient use of space - something that may be relatively scarce on
a USB stick.
--
http://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/
J G Miller
Jan 17, 2012, 10:09:55 AM1/17/12
to
On Tuesday, January 17th, 2012, at 05:59:03h -0700, Cranky Puss explained:
> I'm looking for a small distro that will run off a USB stick in whatever
> the not-Live mode is called, the mode where files on the stick are
> modified as though it was a regular device.
The word you are looking for is "persistent".
The distribution you should consider is Puppy Linux.
<http://www.pendrivelinux.COM/puppy-linux-on-usb/>
> I'm looking for a small distro that will run off a USB stick in whatever
> the not-Live mode is called, the mode where files on the stick are
> modified as though it was a regular device.
The distribution you should consider is Puppy Linux.
<http://www.pendrivelinux.COM/puppy-linux-on-usb/>
crankypuss
Jan 17, 2012, 11:31:14 AM1/17/12
to
page for that distro but found no information and a zillion ads...
J G Miller
Jan 17, 2012, 12:23:34 PM1/17/12
to
On Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at 09:31:14 -0700, Cranky Puss explained:
> I found a reference to puppy and went to what I thought was the home
> page for that distro but found no information and a zillion ads...
And you did not consider entering the terms
"linux puppy" "home page"
in the search text box of your favorite web search engine
an appropriate thing for you to try?
Official Site : <http://puppylinux.COM/>
Community Site : <http://puppylinux.ORG/>
> I found a reference to puppy and went to what I thought was the home
> page for that distro but found no information and a zillion ads...
"linux puppy" "home page"
in the search text box of your favorite web search engine
an appropriate thing for you to try?
Official Site : <http://puppylinux.COM/>
Community Site : <http://puppylinux.ORG/>
Dr. Deb
Jan 17, 2012, 11:45:53 PM1/17/12
to
Deb
crankypuss
Jan 18, 2012, 3:07:42 AM1/18/12
to
J G Miller
Jan 18, 2012, 10:03:08 AM1/18/12
to
On Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, 01:07:42h -0700, Cranky Puss wrote:
> Thank you.
You are welcome.
It would be helpful if and when you do get a USB memory stick up and
running that you report back and say which distribution you did decide
to use and your impressions.
> Thank you.
You are welcome.
It would be helpful if and when you do get a USB memory stick up and
running that you report back and say which distribution you did decide
to use and your impressions.
crankypuss
Jan 19, 2012, 5:45:38 AM1/19/12
to
dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
Linux and PCLinuxOS. Puppy appears to be more what I'm after but at
first glance it seems a bit light on documentation; PCLinuxOS seems a
bit commercialized and sniffs somewhat of the Ubuntu tendency to install
everything everybody might ever need, but seems to offer several UI's
ootb, its "mylivecd" sounds like an ootb remastersys equivalent (which
took a bit of time for me to get set up under Ubuntu), and as I recall
it uses synaptic as its package mechanism... iow it has the basics but
might require enough deinstallation that I'd just as well stick with Ubuntu.
That's just guesswork from looking at a couple web pages though, I could
have it entirely confused. I should be receiving some more USB sticks
next week and will be better equipped to try them without the risk of
shooting myself in the foot. Will try to remember to report back once
I've actually tried them.
J G Miller
Jan 19, 2012, 9:33:35 AM1/19/12
to
On Thursday, January 19th, 2012, at 03:45:38h -0700, Cranky Puss explained:
> I seem (not entirely sure how since I've looked at what seems like
> dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
> Linux and PCLinuxOS.
One distribution which I forgot to mention that you may also like to
consider for putting on a USB memory stick is Slax.
<http://www.slax.ORG/>
At the end of the day, the best choice is really going to depend on
what you want to do with the bootable stick in terms of day to
day operation, and only you know what is best in those terms.
> Will try to remember to report back once I've actually tried them.
It is always interesting to hear what people decide to use, and more
importantly why, and this information is of course helpful to other
people looking for a similar solution.
> I seem (not entirely sure how since I've looked at what seems like
> dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
> Linux and PCLinuxOS.
consider for putting on a USB memory stick is Slax.
<http://www.slax.ORG/>
At the end of the day, the best choice is really going to depend on
what you want to do with the bootable stick in terms of day to
day operation, and only you know what is best in those terms.
> Will try to remember to report back once I've actually tried them.
importantly why, and this information is of course helpful to other
people looking for a similar solution.
Message has been deleted
sctvguy1
Jan 19, 2012, 2:11:00 PM1/19/12
to
crankypuss wrote:
> On 01/18/2012 08:03 AM, J G Miller wrote:
>> On Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, 01:07:42h -0700, Cranky Puss wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you.
>>
>> You are welcome.
>>
>> It would be helpful if and when you do get a USB memory stick up and
>> running that you report back and say which distribution you did decide
>> to use and your impressions.
>
> I seem (not entirely sure how since I've looked at what seems like
> dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
> Linux and PCLinuxOS. Puppy appears to be more what I'm after but at
> first glance it seems a bit light on documentation; PCLinuxOS seems a
> bit commercialized and sniffs somewhat of the Ubuntu tendency to install
> everything everybody might ever need, but seems to offer several UI's
> ootb, its "mylivecd" sounds like an ootb remastersys equivalent (which
> took a bit of time for me to get set up under Ubuntu), and as I recall
> it uses synaptic as its package mechanism... iow it has the basics but
> might require enough deinstallation that I'd just as well stick with
> Ubuntu.
My wife runs PCLOS LXDE edition on her netbook, I have it on a 4gig memory
> On 01/18/2012 08:03 AM, J G Miller wrote:
>> On Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, 01:07:42h -0700, Cranky Puss wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you.
>>
>> You are welcome.
>>
>> It would be helpful if and when you do get a USB memory stick up and
>> running that you report back and say which distribution you did decide
>> to use and your impressions.
>
> I seem (not entirely sure how since I've looked at what seems like
> dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
> Linux and PCLinuxOS. Puppy appears to be more what I'm after but at
> first glance it seems a bit light on documentation; PCLinuxOS seems a
> bit commercialized and sniffs somewhat of the Ubuntu tendency to install
> everything everybody might ever need, but seems to offer several UI's
> ootb, its "mylivecd" sounds like an ootb remastersys equivalent (which
> took a bit of time for me to get set up under Ubuntu), and as I recall
> it uses synaptic as its package mechanism... iow it has the basics but
> might require enough deinstallation that I'd just as well stick with
> Ubuntu.
stick. I also installed it on an old Dell Inspiron 1000 using the same
stick. It is a wonderful distro, lots of support and NOTHING like Ubuntu.
J G Miller
Jan 19, 2012, 4:19:41 PM1/19/12
to
On Thursday, January 19th, 2012, at 14:11:00h -0500, SCTV Guy 1 wrote:
> Cranky Puss wrote:
>
>> PCLinuxOS seems a bit commercialized and sniffs somewhat of the
>> Ubuntu tendency to install everything everybody might ever need
>
was like Ubuntu, other than having the same tendency to install
by default much more than is required.
--
"I use it for respect!" -- Guy Caballero, President of SCTV
> Cranky Puss wrote:
>
>> PCLinuxOS seems a bit commercialized and sniffs somewhat of the
>> Ubuntu tendency to install everything everybody might ever need
>
> It is a wonderful distro, lots of support and NOTHING like Ubuntu.
Please note that Cranky Puss did *not* suggest that PC Linux OS
was like Ubuntu, other than having the same tendency to install
by default much more than is required.
--
"I use it for respect!" -- Guy Caballero, President of SCTV
crankypuss
Jan 20, 2012, 4:16:21 AM1/20/12
to
On 01/19/2012 07:33 AM, J G Miller wrote:
> On Thursday, January 19th, 2012, at 03:45:38h -0700, Cranky Puss explained:
>
>> I seem (not entirely sure how since I've looked at what seems like
>> dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
>> Linux and PCLinuxOS.
>
> One distribution which I forgot to mention that you may also like to
> consider for putting on a USB memory stick is Slax.
>
> <http://www.slax.ORG/>
Interesting, thanks.
> On Thursday, January 19th, 2012, at 03:45:38h -0700, Cranky Puss explained:
>
>> I seem (not entirely sure how since I've looked at what seems like
>> dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
>> Linux and PCLinuxOS.
>
> One distribution which I forgot to mention that you may also like to
> consider for putting on a USB memory stick is Slax.
>
> <http://www.slax.ORG/>
crankypuss
Jan 20, 2012, 4:18:06 AM1/20/12
to
On 01/19/2012 10:30 AM, Steve Ackman wrote:
> with rpm packages. It's a strange hybrid that *usually*
> works, but frustrated me. Plus, PCLinuxOS is one of
> those fixed distributions that disappears once EOL
> is reached. IOW, if you want to add a package after
> EOL, forget it. The repository simply disappears.
> I ran PCLinuxOS from a flash drive on a laptop. Those
> drives have limited write cycles, so it became
> corrupted after a short time... maybe 200 hours or
> so of runtime.
>
> I'd go with Debian. You can put as much or as
> little on the drive as you want. Go with the
> testing version, and you have a "rolling" distro
> that never has an EOL.
> http://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst
>
> That's what I have on a thin client with 512MB SSD.
> I use the SSD for stuff that gets written more often,
> and use a USB flash drive for stuff that doesn't get
> written to so often. (/usr and /home)
EOL? As in, end-of-line character?
> On Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:45:38 -0700, crankypuss wrote:
>> On 01/18/2012 08:03 AM, J G Miller wrote:
>>> On Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, 01:07:42h -0700, Cranky Puss wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> You are welcome.
>>>
>>> It would be helpful if and when you do get a USB memory stick up and
>>> running that you report back and say which distribution you did decide
>>> to use and your impressions.
>>
>> I seem (not entirely sure how since I've looked at what seems like
>> dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
>> Linux and PCLinuxOS. Puppy appears to be more what I'm after but at
>> first glance it seems a bit light on documentation; PCLinuxOS seems a
>> bit commercialized and sniffs somewhat of the Ubuntu tendency to install
>> everything everybody might ever need, but seems to offer several UI's
>> ootb, its "mylivecd" sounds like an ootb remastersys equivalent (which
>> took a bit of time for me to get set up under Ubuntu), and as I recall
>> it uses synaptic as its package mechanism... iow it has the basics but
>> might require enough deinstallation that I'd just as well stick with Ubuntu.
>
> PCLinuxOS uses a version of synaptic that ~works
>> On 01/18/2012 08:03 AM, J G Miller wrote:
>>> On Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, 01:07:42h -0700, Cranky Puss wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thank you.
>>>
>>> You are welcome.
>>>
>>> It would be helpful if and when you do get a USB memory stick up and
>>> running that you report back and say which distribution you did decide
>>> to use and your impressions.
>>
>> I seem (not entirely sure how since I've looked at what seems like
>> dozens and not yet tried any of them) to have pared it down to Puppy
>> Linux and PCLinuxOS. Puppy appears to be more what I'm after but at
>> first glance it seems a bit light on documentation; PCLinuxOS seems a
>> bit commercialized and sniffs somewhat of the Ubuntu tendency to install
>> everything everybody might ever need, but seems to offer several UI's
>> ootb, its "mylivecd" sounds like an ootb remastersys equivalent (which
>> took a bit of time for me to get set up under Ubuntu), and as I recall
>> it uses synaptic as its package mechanism... iow it has the basics but
>> might require enough deinstallation that I'd just as well stick with Ubuntu.
>
> with rpm packages. It's a strange hybrid that *usually*
> works, but frustrated me. Plus, PCLinuxOS is one of
> those fixed distributions that disappears once EOL
> is reached. IOW, if you want to add a package after
> EOL, forget it. The repository simply disappears.
> I ran PCLinuxOS from a flash drive on a laptop. Those
> drives have limited write cycles, so it became
> corrupted after a short time... maybe 200 hours or
> so of runtime.
>
> I'd go with Debian. You can put as much or as
> little on the drive as you want. Go with the
> testing version, and you have a "rolling" distro
> that never has an EOL.
> http://www.debian.org/distrib/netinst
>
> That's what I have on a thin client with 512MB SSD.
> I use the SSD for stuff that gets written more often,
> and use a USB flash drive for stuff that doesn't get
> written to so often. (/usr and /home)
EOL? As in, end-of-line character?
Eef Hartman
Jan 20, 2012, 4:29:54 AM1/20/12
to
crankypuss <n...@email.thanks> wrote:
> EOL? As in, end-of-line character?
End-of-lifetime (as in : end of support/updates/patches, etc).
> EOL? As in, end-of-line character?
Most non-commercial distro's have a lifetime of about 18 months to
2 years per release, what happens AFTER that is very distro-specific.
For instance: EOL of openSUSE 11.3 will be end of this month, so I
already made a copy of the base repositories, because they will
disapear from the mirrors at that time.
--
******************************************************************
** Eef Hartman, Delft University of Technology, dept. SSC/ICT **
** e-mail: E.J.M....@tudelft.nl - phone: +31-15-27 82525 **
******************************************************************
crankypuss
Jan 20, 2012, 4:44:34 AM1/20/12
to
On 01/20/2012 02:29 AM, Eef Hartman wrote:
> crankypuss<n...@email.thanks> wrote:
>> EOL? As in, end-of-line character?
>
> End-of-lifetime (as in : end of support/updates/patches, etc).
> Most non-commercial distro's have a lifetime of about 18 months to
> 2 years per release, what happens AFTER that is very distro-specific.
>
> For instance: EOL of openSUSE 11.3 will be end of this month, so I
> already made a copy of the base repositories, because they will
> disapear from the mirrors at that time.
Thanks.
> crankypuss<n...@email.thanks> wrote:
>> EOL? As in, end-of-line character?
>
> End-of-lifetime (as in : end of support/updates/patches, etc).
> Most non-commercial distro's have a lifetime of about 18 months to
> 2 years per release, what happens AFTER that is very distro-specific.
>
> For instance: EOL of openSUSE 11.3 will be end of this month, so I
> already made a copy of the base repositories, because they will
> disapear from the mirrors at that time.
patrick
Feb 12, 2012, 10:53:58 PM2/12/12
to
PCLinuxOS has recently released it's OpenBox
Window Manager 2012 in three versions. Linux
2.6.38.8-bfs kernel included for maximum netbook,
laptop, or desktop performance.
Bonsai - mini
Full - includes many programs
Education - for children
www.pclinuxos.com
An addlocale option allows you to convert PCLinuxOS into over 60 languages.
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