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Just like Tom Thumb's blues - Tiny Core Linux

Tiny Core Linux is the champion of the super small Linux distributions, not least because it weighs in at a mere 10 megabytes.

Tiny Core uses a 2.6 kernel, needs a wired connection, and derives its unique character from an entirely different philosophy. Tiny Core includes BusyBox, Tiny X, FLTK, the JWM window manager, and little else. Tiny X contains an X Server, although there is also a 7 megabyte version of Tiny Core, Micro Core Linux, which also forgoes the X-server.

Tiny Core is stripped to the basics, and takes the Tiny Linux philosophy to its logical conclusion. All that is needed is the OS and the minimum requirements for instant boot-up. Everything else can be pulled in from the ecosphere and the Tiny Core repositories and optionally stored for further use.

Shingledecker explains: "Tiny Core will boot and merge in or mount an entire directory of extensions upon boot. The result is a custom desktop based on your choice of applications. Dynamic data, typically your personal data, located in your home directory is persisted with a backup and restore. This too can be automatic and is driven by two files (which) can be easily edited for very fine-grained control."

Tiny Core Linux is suited to more experienced Linux users, and can be used to build lightning fast custom systems without the unused functionality and system rot associated with larger distributions. Tiny Core is highly versatile, and has several modes of operation, which are described in detail on the Core Concepts page of the Tiny Core website. Essentially, Tiny Core extensions can be run in the cloud, loaded into RAM from a partition, or run from disk in memory saving mode. There are several options which are all designed to minimise persistent storage, so that Tiny Core is the ideal route to managing your Linux applications on the move.

The first tool in the box - Parted Magic

Parted Magic screenshot Not all the small Linux distributions are designed to replicate desktop functionality. Some are designed to fulfil more utilitarian tasks.

Parted Magic is the most professional and most practical of the small utilitarian distros. Although the name implies a singular purpose Parted Magic is the perfect tool for rescuing your system and amending the disc problems that are the affliction of those who indulge in distro hopping and multi-booting.

Parted Magic is based around GParted, the GNU Partition Editor, but also includes useful utilities such as PhotoRec, the digital photo recovery program, Partition Image, TestDisk, fdisk, sfdisk, dd, and ddrescue, as well as a comprehensive set of utilities for data retrieval. Consequently Parted Magic has many more uses than the name suggests.

A Parted Magic LiveCD is the perfect introduction for those who are taking the first leap into Linux, and are unfamiliar with the concepts of disc partitioning and dual booting. The Parted Magic wiki offers guided help in resizing, setting up and allocating partitions for Windows and Linux partitions

Because it has a dedicated purpose, Parted Magic does not waste its resources on unnecessary extras, utilising the relatively generous Xfce desktop, and including an extensive collection of file system tools. Parted Magic supports the Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, FAT16, FAT32, HFS, HFS+, JFS, Linux swap, NTFS, ReiserFS, Reiser4, and XFS file systems, and offers wide support for Linux, Windows and Mac systems. Parted Magic is loosely based on Slackware, and as with other small distributions, programs can be added to the existing suite.

Parted Magic is nicely presented, runs in RAM, and should be the first tool in every Linux user's tool box, ideal for sorting the disc and boot problems that can occur at any time - and can be aided and abetted in this purpose by the equally thorough Super Grub Disk and the SystemRescueCD, which cover similar territory.

Next: Super Grub & System Rescue

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