When Nothing Will Fit Try This Tiny Linux Distro – Here’s How

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ZDNET Highlights

• Tiny Core Linux is an incredibly small distribution.
• This modular delivery can be customized according to your specifications.
• Tiny Core Linux is not as difficult as you might think.

Most Linux distributions (or operating systems in general) typically range in size from 1- to 5 GB. Granted, by today’s hard drive capacity standards, this is very low. But if you’re working with an older machine or want a Linux distribution that you can keep with you at all times, you’ll want something smaller.

This is where Tiny Core Linux comes into play.

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This lightweight Linux distribution is modular by design and has three editions:

• Core: A terminal-only version that is 17 MB in size.
• TinyCore: A desktop version that uses the FLTK/FLWM graphical desktop environment, 23MB in size.
• CorePlus: A desktop edition that includes seven different desktops to choose from, with a size of 248 MB.

You read that right – it’s MB, not GB.

What is Tiny Core Linux for?

It’s short…hence the name. Also, like many portable Linux distributions, Tiny Core can run entirely in RAM (unless you install it, it runs from your internal drive).

Tiny Core Linux isn’t for everyone. You should have a good understanding of how Linux works, or at least be curious enough to understand it. Tiny Core Linux isn’t that hard; This is completely different.

Why would you want to use such a small distribution?

Tiny Core Linux is incredibly fast. This Linux distribution is fast in a way that most can’t touch it.

If you’re looking to set up a machine to take with you on a USB flash drive, refurbish an old desktop or laptop machine, build a kiosk for your small business, give your kids a PC to use, learn the ins and outs of Linux, or simply want a distribution that’s as fast as any distribution you’re used to, Tiny Core Linux is a great choice – especially if you’re willing to learn something new.

Tiny Core’s quirks

Tiny Core Linux is not for beginners. The primary reason is the modular nature of the OS. For example, when you boot a Tiny Core live instance, you cannot install it. Why? Because you need to install the tc-install extension.

However, if you go with the CorePlus desktop version, it’s a different ballgame. You can still get the same lightning-fast desktop, along with the tools needed to install the OS. With CorePlus, you don’t have to manually configure networking or add installer modules. You simply launch the GUI installer and go through the installation wizard.

Truth be told, the CorePlus installer can put off even new users. First of all, it’s old school. Second, some of the terminology used may irritate you. For example, on the first page of the wizard, you have to choose between Frugal, USB-HDD, or USB-Zip. If you’re installing on a standard drive, choose Frugal. If you’re looking to run Tiny Core from a USB flash drive, choose USB-HDD or USB-ZIP.

Once you’ve selected Thrifty, select Entire Disk, which allows you to select the disk to use, which will likely be listed as SDA.

With the disk selected, click the arrow pointing down to the right to continue.

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In the next window, stick with the default ext4 file system and click the right-pointing arrow to continue.

Do not change anything in the boot options context list screen. Just click on that wonderful right pointing arrow.

In the Install Type window, leave everything as it is (unless you need to add wireless support, in which case select the options required for your system) and click the arrow pointing to the right.

In the last window, review the installation and then click Proceed to start the process.

In my case, setting up Tiny Core as a virtual machine, the installation took about 30 seconds.

An entire OS installed in 30 seconds? how is that possible? Because it is so small.

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Reboot the machine and wait until it appears on the desktop.

Done. Like.

Due to the simple nature of Tiny Core Linux, you will be logged in to a default user account. You’ll probably want to create a new user with a password, and the only way to do so is via the command line, like this:

sudo adduser username

Where USERNAME is the name of the user you want to add.

During this process, you will be asked to enter/verify the password. With that taken care of, you can log out and log in as your new user.

Okay, so you have succeeded in installing Tiny Core Linux. What next? You can open the App Store and then install some apps (which are actually extensions).

Tiny Core Linux is the smallest and actually a lot of fun to use. No, it won’t replace your everyday operating system, but if you’re interested in using one of the fastest OS on the planet, and don’t mind working with something different, Tiny Core is a great choice.

Download CorePlus ISO Official Tiny Core Site And try this Linux distribution.