Tiny Core 2.4 review

 Tiny Core Linux is a very small (10 MB) minimal Linux GUI Desktop. It is based on Linux 2.6 kernel, Busybox, Tiny X, and Fltk. The core runs entirely in ram and boots very quickly. Also offered is Micro Core a 6 MB image that is the console based engine of Tiny Core. CLI versions of Tiny Core's program allows the same functionality of Tiny Core's extensions only starting with a console based system.
It is not a complete desktop nor is all hardware completely supported. It represents only the core needed to boot into a very minimal X desktop typically with wired internet access.
The user has complete control over which applications and/or additional hardware to have supported, be it for a desktop, a netbook, an appliance, or server, selectable by the user by installing additional applications from online repositories, or easily compiling most anything you desire using tools provided.

Screenshot

Tiny Core V2.4 is now posted at http://distro.ibiblio.org/pub/linux/distributions/tinycorelinux/2.x/release/

Whats New :
Change log for v2.4

* Updated flwm v1.12, top side titles, aterm compatible, enhanced refresh menu, hotkey,s and color title bars.
* Updated flwm_restart to use new capability of menu refresh.
* Updated appbrowser. Dropped access to tce repository, "Install Local" defaults to optional/
* Updated wbar.sh to read extra configurations from $HOME/.wbar
* Updated flpicsee to v1,0 - replaced Alt with Ctrl hotkyes.
* Updated setbackground to process compressed logo template, saves much space.
* Updated .Xdefaults for aterm transparency mode.
* Updated .xsession to check and start flit and/or watcher.
* Updated .xsession so watcher, now at +0-0, does not overlay flit
* Moved both flit and watcher to extensions.
* Updated tc-config to process dependency files at boot.
* Updated tce-load. Dropped access to tce-repository, fixed out of loops bug.
* Updated /dev/loop to 255 loop devices (0, 254). Note: You still need max_loop=255
* Updated rc.shutdown to remove external call.
* Updated fstype to remove external call.
* Updated tc-config, startx, and .profile to make desktop environment reentrant & better support of microcore.
* New tce-setup to load all tce applications from a tinycore "base norestore text" boot
* Updated tc-config now calls tce-setup, as tce loading has been factored out.
* Updated tc-restore & filetool.sh to implement 'protect' blowfish encrypted backup.
* Updated tc-restore & filetool.sh for default backup to be located in persistent tce directory.
* Updated tce-load to fix bug regarding partial downloads of dependencies
* Updated /opt/.tcrc to tcz repository..
* Dropped 'checkfs' boot option. Use options 'base norestore' to check and fix filesystems and then start up complete system.
* Updated tce-setup, optimized code and calls tce-load via boot flag.
* Updated tc-config with more consistent and streamlined messages at boot. 
* Updated usbinstall to operate better when launched from system menu, added max_loop=255.
* Updated isolinux.cfg to include max_loop=255
* Fixed free loop after copy to filesystem (ram).
* Show extension load errors during boot procedure.
* Fixed doubling of tcz2ran.lst
* Fixed 'base norestore noicons' = no menu update bug.
* New showapps boot code to display extension names while booting.
* Added a wait $fstab_pid before tce access.
* Dropped pci.ids. Use extensions (pic-ids.tcz libpci.tczl).


Files likely in your backup or persistent store that need updating:
.xsession
.Xdefaults
.profile


Notes:

The desktop environment has been moved from tc-config into startx. This allows a microcore boot with base norestore, then manually (tce-load -i) the core elements together with your choice of window manager, wbar, flit, and/or watcher. Upon completion, still at the $ prompt, typing startx will bring up a working desktop environment. You can still exit to prompt, and run startx.

And with the new tce-setup, you can load all your PPR with a single command.
Just boot tinycore 'base norestore text   Then when ready.

$ sudo tce-setup
$ startx

Same with microcore, except, of course,  the text boot option is not needed


Notes: Hotkeys for Color Title Bars for flwm v1.12. ( Thanks to Mike L. for the many improvements to flwm! )

changed Alt+Enter to Alt+F1 to iconize a window

Ctrl Alt arrows moves the window
Ctrl Alt =         grows the window (unshifted + key)
Ctrl Alt -          shrinks the window
Ctrl Alt PgUp   grows the window veritcally
Ctrl Alt PgDn   shrinks the window vertically
Ctrl Alt ,           grows the window hortizontally (unshifted < key)
Ctrl Alt .           grows the window hortizontally (unshifted > key)
Ctrl Alt t           taller (sames as PgUp)
Ctrl Alt s          shorter (same as PgDn)
Ctrl Alt m          maximize widow
Ctrl Alt v          maximize vertical
Ctrl Alt h          maximize hortizontal

flwm now optionally supports environment variable FLWM_TITLEBAR_COLOR to set color for window title bars.
To set use hex rgb, e.g, 20:5F:20 (Currently supports fltk gtk+ scheme.)

Experience:

I think a nice experience because in 11MB it gives a whole desktop experience,credit should goes to Tiny Core developers.It’s a whole new way of running Linux on the desktop.

Multimedia:

After installing MPlayer I didn't find any problem to run my music and movie collection.

Conclusion:

Tiny Core is a new distro. It is developing at a rapid pace and implementing new features along the way. It really can change the way you think about running Linux. This edition is better than 2.3.

Distrowatch.com Ranking: 15

If you want to explore Tiny Core Linux 2.4 then please try it its so small .

Download Tiny Core 2.4