Knoppix To Split Into 'Light,' 'Maximum' Versions

prostoalex writes "Everyone's favorite Knoppix project will be split into light and maximum editions, which should end the argument on whether the Live CD operating system should focus on small footprint, or greater support for external applications." From the linked ZDNet article: "'We will split the mainstream edition of Knoppix into two versions: a 'maximum' DVD edition with a complete Debian installation, and a 'light' edition on CD that contains the most popular desktop and server software only, for older computers or smaller systems that don't have a bootable DVD drive yet,' said Knopper."

Comments

A note on bloat

[Animats]

Operating systems expand to fill the available boot media.

Re:A note on bloat

[Bitsy Boffin]

You are confusing "operating system" with "humungous distribution of non-essential software". Parent post too.

Re:A note on bloat

[Jugalator]

A point that comes up on slashdot here and there, is where do you draw the line with linux?

I personally draw it at 1 CD. :-)

I have a broadband connection so I don't need massive amounts of software bundled. I don't care much about exactly what software it is, although I prefer if what they choose is fairly popular software. If we have special demands, I'm fine with downloading (gasp! what's that!?) it from the Internet.

Re:Windows Manager

[jm92956n]

I'm curious, will Fluxbox be on this "light" disk? I ask because the summary says that the most 'popular desktop'. That would be KDE, but light it is not!

Pure conjecture, but I expect the light CD would include KDE. I think the light CD will be quite similar to the latest Knoppix release, except with a variety of package updates. The maximum CD should have everything, including the token "kitchen sink"

It all depends upon your definition of an "older computer." Theirs, I think, is still in the P-III range (650 mhz - 1.8 ghz). Mine, however, is completely different. My primary computer is a Celeron 500 and I don't expect to upgrade any time soon. KDE is painful on my system, but other lightweight WM's run flawlessly. I beleive they're leave the "really eh'fin old" computer segment to distros like Damn Small Linux (which, incidentally, is a heavily stripped down version of Knoppix).

More the point, who are you?

[gtoomey]

Knoppix has many uses, including:

- run Linux with/without a hard disk
- evaluate latest software
- password recovery - allows you to reset /etc/password or /etc/shadow
- file system fsck
- install to hard disk: you get Debian without the 'orrible Debian installer

Re:bad call

[freeweed]

Step 1: read the article
Step 2: failing this daunting undertaking, read the article summary:

We will split the mainstream edition of Knoppix into two versions: a 'maximum' DVD edition with a complete Debian installation, and a 'light' edition on CD that contains the most popular desktop and server software only, for older computers or smaller systems that don't have a bootable DVD drive yet

Step 3: Try to find mods who also read the article summaries before modding people up.

Re:How will this ultimately turn out?

[Vo0k]

You're forgetting about one thing. This is Free Software. There's no motivation behind releasing crippled versions. You just try to make it best possible within specified limits.

And people will complain, yes. No matter what to do.

I think that this could be a move that will start some off-shoots of Knoppix. It should be very good for Knoppix users.

MORE KNOPPIX OFF-SHOOTS??? NOOOOOOO!
(do you have a clue how many different Knoppix off-shoots are out there? HUNDREDS!)