DSL Ideas and Suggestions :: DSL Revisted?



I know John and the DSL team has created DSL with the basic pholosophy of a fully functional yet minimal desktop.

My question would be since the introduction of a "do it yourself" package/module scheme why have the "base" system include games and other "non-essential" packages that use valuable space where those additions could be listed as .dsl packages...where other more "important" packages could be put in thier stead...such as

1.  Wireless tools
2.  Networking tools
3.  More upgraded yet larger lib files
4.  Better apps for (ftp, web, email)
5.  IPTABLES! (It aint linux without a firewall)

Perhaps a revist to the basic philosophy of DSL is in order...if not its still a damn sweet build.

Brian
AwPhuch
Arrrgh I hate typos

Brian
AwPhuch
in reguards to your points.

1. Done. with ndiswrapper, almost any wireless device that works with windoze works with DSL.

2. the netcardconfig script will set up just about any kind of network connection you could want, and there is the terminal-based samba for windows shares. And for the people who demand a GUI, there's the lineighborhood .dsl.

3. the libs in DSL, while not being cutting-edge, they are up to date enough for most purposes.

4. axyFTP works like a charm for people who want a GUI, but I prefer terminal based ftp anyway.
Sylpheed is GREAT. What is there to complain about there?
But the one area DSL is rather weak is the primary browser - Dillo. I HATE Dillo. I use Links and gLinks before I'll ever touch Dillo. Unless I'm on a decent speed connection, then it's firefox all the way, baby.

5. IPTABLES is a great firewall, but since DSL is meant to be run from RAM, Live-CD, or another read-only media, it's really not needed.
Just backup what you need to keep onto a usb pendrive beforehand, and if you get hacked, reboot!

But DSL should keep it's "small and light" philosophy. It's great to see the look on people's faces when you show them what it will do, and then tell them it's only 50mb small. ^_^

-J.P.
SaidinUnleashed
I have to jump in on this one..

I get emails from around the world from DSL users.

Many have really struggled to get a system that will even
run the base DSL .iso , much less the extensions.

Many, many folks are thankful to even have a dialup .

John and Robert have created a distro that provides the
basic needs to get yourself "up and running" from most
any situation..  And provided the user with a wealth of apps
that will run satisfactorily on most anything..
" A useable desktop " is exactly what we've got in DSL.

If "wireless" tools or "firewalls" are what you need in a distro,
the need suggests you already have connections to the internet.
Assuming this to be true, it makes sense to provide a user
with the tools to obtain and add these apps to your system.
DSL does provide..

If better browsers and email tools are what you need, then again..
DSL does provide you with the means to get it done..

But if your not "shot in the a$$ with dimes" , and are doing
your best to get yourself loaded up with the most basic of tools,
then again , DSL is again exactly what you need..

There are some apps that could be removed from the base iso,
and made into extensions.. Most of them would save little in the
way of true useable space, though..  And since we're already
pushing the limit on .iso size, any space we could find would be
better used for the masses by adding faq's and docs..

Many folks using DSL aren't into 10-20-40 MB downloads.
Gettting DSL is challenging enough..

But for those blessed enough to have a nice box, plentiful
ram and HD space, and a fast, reliable dialup or better,
then extensions are the way to go ...  This serves the needs
of everyone, rather than serving only a subset of the users.

I feel that the lighter, smaller apps included with DSL are just
the ticket to grab the userbase that is "left behind" by most modern distros..
John and Robert have done a great service
by keeping it the "most" , and not "the best" when it comes
to choosing packages to be included in the base .iso .

73
ke4nt
"I feel that the lighter, smaller apps included with DSL are just
the ticket to grab the userbase that is "left behind" by most modern distros.. "

Couldn't agree more.
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