Tinycore Linux

I mentioned Tiny Core Linux Aka TC Linux In my previous hub "How to Switch from Windows to Linux Part 1". As I stated there, it really impresses me that they have done so much with only 10 Megabytes. So, I wanted to write a hub about it. I consider Tiny Core Linux to be an excellent choice for any computer. Especially older ones with severe limitations. This OS can be downloaded for free from here and burned to a CD (see How to Switch from Windows to Linux Part 1). At only 10 Megabytes it is well worth the effort.

There are two options for download. You can either choose the Tinycore version (which does not have an install option), or you can download the "Multi-Core" version which does. Both are Live CD's and are exactly the same except the "Multi-Core" iso has installation options on it.

There are options for install on native Linux systems or Windows systems. You can get instructions for both at the website. The other thing the "Multi-Core" iso has on it is Tiny Core's little sister Micro Core Linux. Mirco Core is a 6 Megabyte text based system which I have not explored yet . You still have the choice whether to run the system from your CDROM drive or installing it. There are instructions on the boot screen for all boot options. See below.

Whether using the Multi Core disk, or the Tiny Core disk, you have the option of saving changes or downloads. You can choose either just saving the files for later use while booting from the CD, or installing the system with a frugal install to the hard drive. In either case there are only 3 files created. A folder to hold all the saved files a folder called options and a compressed file named mydata.tgz, (this is what is meant by frugal install). While booted to the Tinycore system all the files and folders look and act just as you would expect. That is to say you can change directories, add, edit, or delete files and folders just like anyother Operating system. The tree view from outside using any of Tinycore using another Operating System shows just the 3 files and no discernible system. This is all very well done. None of this sounds like a big deal unless you consider the whole thing fits in a space smaller then most applications. Remember it's only 10.34 Megabytes. Keep the small 10.34 Megabyte size in mind as we talk about options below.

The System

The whole system is built on the Linux kernel and uses the X Window system. Busybox is the name of the window manager and the rest of the system is built in C++ code using FLTK or Fast Light Tool Kit, which is available for free download for those who are interested in C++ programming.

The Desktop

The interface icons are at the bottom of the screen and has a Mac style button bar. The button bar can be moved to any side. The options on the button bar is very important to the function of the system. At first it doesn't look like much. There are eight total buttons. The functions are deceptively simple. For explanation's sake I opened all the applications so you can see them working. I will go through a brief explaination of their functions and we will talk about desktop options. The options on the menu bar in order as they appear from left to right are:

1. Exit: When clicked on brings up a dialog box and the options are "Shutdown", "Reboot" and Exit to Prompt. Then there are save and backup options from a drop down list box. The options are: "None", "Backup" or "Safe". See picture below

2. Terminal: The command line interface or shell, which for those who use windows, is like the DOS Prompt, but this is not DOS. You can use administrative privileges from here. *See Note below.

3. Apps Audit: Where you can make sure all dependencies are met and programs are up to date. It will also delete any programs you don't want and has many other features. On the screenshot, it is the right most window at the top of the screen. It is linked to the repositories to make sure all applications are correctly installed and current.

4. Editor: Just a simple text editor without any extras. With certain differences it is comparable to Windows Notepad.

5. Panel: This is the Control Panel which does just what you would think.

6. Application Browser or 'Apps': This is where you download and update your system. It is also linked to the repositories. There are some 6+ Gigabytes of programs waiting to be downloaded for upgrading your system. While that doesn't sound like much, they fit a lot into a small space. Because the system is compressed (as discussed above) and the files and folders are not scattered the system runs very fast.

7. Run: Runs a selected installed program. You can use administrative privileges from here also. *See Note below.

8. Mount: This is the mount tool and it will mount any drive or partition on the system. That is the basic desktop on the live CD before any changes.

Note: For those who are new to Linux, or unfamiliar with administrative or "superuser" privileges in general, let's just say there are different levels of permission to do things. If you ever tried to do something you thought you should be able to do, but couldn't or you received an error saying something (like a website for example) is being blocked, you simply do not have privileges for that function (or website). Learn more about this from the documentation included with your present system or you can find information about Tiny Core privileges by going to the TC Wiki Page.

There is lots you can do from here. You can download whatever you like. I want to add more functionality to my desktop. Now at this point I have not installed anything or made any changes. When I download a program it is held in a temporary folder and I have the option of saving it or not when shutting down or rebooting.

Maybe you want to be able to browse the web. If you are always connected to the web by DSL or cable or other high speed connection you should have no problem. If not you will have to configure Dial-up as usual. You will have to install the PPP program from the Application Browser prior to using a dial-up connection. Open the "Application Browser" click the connect. and search for browsers. There is a huge list of available browsers from the lightest ever browser Chimera2 which is about the lightest graphical browser I have ever seen, to the more modern full featured browsers like Firefox and Chromium (see screenshot). For our example I added Chromium Browser, that is Google Chrome for Linux. After downloading the browser I downloaded Flash right from the repositories so I could have more full featured web experience. Just need to make sure it is put in the right directory to make it work. Directions for proper installation have been provided for you right in the description of the application. Or if you like, Gnash the Gnu/Free software version is also available.

The first screenshot below is of the package manager or "Apps Browser" at work. On the left is an alphabetical list of available web browsers. On the right side of the screen is the package description of the selected item. To get the application I click the Go button. If I want to be able to save my work I click the set button and a list of available locations comes up. That way I can use Chromium next time I boot and it will remember my bookmarks too.

Next screenshot is the start screen for Chromium Browser. As you can see the new icon was added in the menu bar automatically. Next you can see I pulled up the HubPages welcome screen. Notice I already picked out a theme for my browser it took just seconds.

Windows users please note: All the applications available for download have been fully tested for the system and are completely virus free. They are coming to you from the TC repositories and are not handled by third or fourth parties and can be trusted. This is true of Linux distributions in general. Linux is not vulnerable to viruses anyway so it's a moot point but you should know there is a difference. If you're used to windows, you have every reason to worry.

Next I added a real desktop. Tiny Core will not install in Virtual Box because it is looking for a specific hardware configuration. I installed TC Linux. It is very small compared to some of it's cousins. It is run from a compressed file system. More on this later.

The screenshot below shows how small the whole operating system is. this is with several desktops installed, browser, and additional applications.

Desktop Options

I tried LXDE first. It works well. At first I could not find some of the installed items. I installed TC to my hard drive and the problem was fixed. However what I didn't like is there is no way to edit the menu to add items manually. I tried Gnome but it would not install correctly from the CDROM I have yet to try it from a live install. Fluxbox works very well it comes with themes and finding all your applications is not problem. Then I tried KDE4. Like Gnome KDE had trouble from the CDROM install but I believe part of the problem for me is I only have 1 Gigabyte of RAM. I am sure with more all would have went well. Again I will have to try it on a fully installed system. Whether Gnome or KDE do well of themselves or not, I want to strongly emphasize that all Gnome and KDE applications worked great. It was the desktops themselves that were too big. When I try them on a live install I will update this information. XFCE worked great just the way it should but it, Fluxbox and LXDE are too light and have few extras.

Personally, I like a desktop with more pizazz something more flashy and zippy. So I installed Enlightenment, "e17" to be exact. It works very well. Integrates nicely with the Busybox FLTK base system. I also tried several other window managers. The one I liked the most that added was Enlightenment followed by Fluxbox the both add functionality to the operating system while preserving all the features of the default window manager. Of course, it is worth saying that my experience may be different from yours as my system is over ten years old now, see my pictures below:

Actual Installation

Installation is easy. To do this you need the Multi-core CD or Flash Drive. Be very careful! if you don't know how to do this see the documentation on the wiki page there is a link at the bottom of this section. If you are still confused get help to prevent losing data. If that is not a concern, continue on . I have included pictures below.

1. Click the 'Mount icon' and find the drive that has the system. A tool tips message will show you the correct drive. It will say Tiny Core. Click that drive and it will turn green. When it turns green you are ready to start the install process.The whole process is shown below.

2. At the bottom of the screen you will see the TC_Install icon. Frugal is already clicked. That is the only way to install the system.

3. Choose either Tiny Core or Micro Core. A set of screens will get you to the correct file "tinycore.gz". The path is: /mount/correct drive that turned green/boot/tinycore.gz.

4. Select the drive or partition. In our case we selected Existing Partition. Please be very careful here.** VERY IMPORTANT!** If you have an operating system on your hard drive already and want to keep it there and TC will share the partition with the other operating system, DO NOT FORMAT!! Select 'No formatting, use existing. Formatting WILL destroy any information on that partition. Or if your hard drive is not partitioned formatting will wipe out all data on the drive! See documentation on the Wiki Page. If you are still confused, or don't know how to do this safely either get assistance or do not attempt. If you are installing on an empty existing partition or one where you are not concerned about the data continue on.

5. Select install options. You will not be able to change these once your system is installed without starting again.

6. Add TC to your boot manager. If you don't have a boot manager you are likely using windows. You can download a free window manager from sourceforge.net here is the link"http://sourceforge.net/projects/gag/". If you are using Linux there is complete documentation on editing both GRUB Legacy and GRUB2 to get TC working on your system. Click the Wiki link below for more information.

NOTE: For more complete details on hard drive installation of TC Linux go to the wiki site: http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:start

I'll be happy to answer questions if you have any. Just comment below. Enjoy!