< Back to index
BasicLinux is a mini Linux distribution that runs from a DOS partition or two floppy disks on very minimal hardware (4 MB or two empty 1.44mb floppy disks.
BasicLinux (or BL, as it is known to its users) is available in 3 different major versions.
BasicLinux is designed specifically for old PCs. It uses a small kernel and busybox to provide a low-RAM Linux, capable of browsing the web, doing email, and functioning as an X terminal. The current release of BasicLinux is particularly suitable for old laptops -- it has PCMCIA capability and includes MagicPoint (a presentation tool similar to Microsoft PowerPoint).
Releases
BL1 was the first version of BasicLinux. Its latest release is version 1.8.
BL2 was the second major version of BasicLinux. Its latest release is version 2.10. Unlike BL1 and BL3, BL2 does not come with a GUI. BL2 is compatible with Slackware 7.1; in fact, once it is installed to a hard drive, BL2 behaves just like a slightly modified Slackware. BL2 ordinarily runs in a ramdisk (which is loaded either through loadlin or with a boot floppy) but may be installed to the root of a Linux hard disk partition.
BL3.32 is the current version of BL. It uses the Xvesa X server to display graphics.
The current release of BasicLinux is 3.40. It comes in two versions: one boots from a DOS harddrive, the other boots from floppies. Both versions have the option to install themselves to a Linux partition on the harddrive. You can download the versions and get more information at their HomePage.
This entry uses material from from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. Disclaimer.