Small and Effective Operating Systems

[nanite10]

I was wondering if anyone knew of any small and yet effective operating systems? An example of this would be MS-DOS. Replies are greatly appreciated!

[The_Hitman]

Originally posted by nanite10:
I was wondering if anyone knew of any small and yet effective operating systems? An example of this would be MS-DOS. Replies are greatly appreciated!

Linux... BSD... QNX..

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"Windows XP - Brought to you by the letters P and S, and the number 3. Made possible by a grant from the Childrens Television Workshop." - ME

Why Yes! I am a proud member of the SF Linux Hippy Club.
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ABIT KT133A-RAID
Athlon 1.2/266 OC@1330 Mhz (10x133)
512MB PC133 Crucial RAM
2 x Quantum 20GB Fireballs
Voodoo 3 3000 AGP (Still getting 60 FPS baby)
SB Live 5.1
Linux Debian Unstable+
Linux Mandrake 8.0+
Linux Flavor of the Month
Windows 2000 Professional
BeOS 5 just for fun

[sourdaisy]

Exactly.

Without X and a minimal install, you can get it pretty small. It depends what you want to do with it, but there are "mini" versions of the ones mentioned above.

There are several small linux distros that fit on a floppy. I don't remember their names, but a search on freshmeat will reveal many. One that comes to mind is Zipslack. Basically it fits on a Zip disk and can install to a FAT partition.

Another favorite is PicoBSD which installs to a floppy. Most of the floppy based releases run as a RAM drive and are efficient routers because if someone hacks in, you just reboot and viola! You're back right where you were.

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"Software is like sex, it's better when it's free"
--Linus Torvalds

[hobbes2112]

What do you mean? WindowsXP isn't small enough for you? I mean jeez all that bloat does do something...if you find out what though I would like to hear it.

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"Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a fly with a sledge-hammer!"
-MAJ. HOLDREDGE USMC

Why Yes! I am a proud member of the SF Linux Hippy Club.

[RangerBFK]

For lightwieght i like QNX

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"Unix is user-friendly. It's just very selective about who its friends are." Unknown

[BWDAZ]

BeOS http://www.be.com/products/freebeos/

[The_Hitman]

Originally posted by BWDAZ:
BeOS http://www.be.com/products/freebeos/

I would have to say any OS where the GUI ins't OPTIONAL does not quality for his description of "small and effective"..


I will nominate BeOS for the "Best Bang for the Pound" award though.. lots of functionalty for its footprint..

------------------
"Windows XP - Brought to you by the letters P and S, and the number 3. Made possible by a grant from the Childrens Television Workshop." - ME

Why Yes! I am a proud member of the SF Linux Hippy Club.
-----------------------------
ABIT KT133A-RAID
Athlon 1.2/266 OC@1330 Mhz (10x133)
512MB PC133 Crucial RAM
2 x Quantum 20GB Fireballs
Voodoo 3 3000 AGP (Still getting 60 FPS baby)
SB Live 5.1
Linux Debian Unstable+
Linux Mandrake 8.0+
Linux Flavor of the Month
Windows 2000 Professional
BeOS 5 just for fun

[This message has been edited by The_Hitman (edited October 28, 2001).]

[Bolweval]

LOL

Originally posted by hobbes2112:
What do you mean? WindowsXP isn't small enough for you? I mean jeez all that bloat does do something...if you find out what though I would like to hear it.

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ßolweval