Damn Small Linux (DSL) is a revived ultra-lightweight Linux distribution that started as a 50MB experiment and returned in 2024 as a practical ~700MB build based on antiX 23 i386. It targets very old x86 machines - Pentium I-era CPUs and as little as 128MB RAM - and bundles low-overhead window managers (Fluxbox, JWM), multiple browsers (Firefox ESR, Dillo, NetSurf), office apps (AbiWord, Gnumeric) and many terminal tools. Installation follows a standard bootable-USB workflow: download the ISO, write it with tools like Rufus, balenaEtcher, or use Ventoy for multi-ISO drives, then test in a live environment before installing alongside or replacing Windows.
Hands-on testing on a decade-old Dell Inspiron with a 2nd-gen Core i3 and 4GB RAM showed impressive responsiveness: ~15 second USB boot, quick app launches, solid hardware detection for network, sound and USB, and usable web browsing and document editing. DSL struggles with video decoding (YouTube frame drops even at 480p), occasional system crashes that reset UI customizations, and some graphical apps failing to launch; font and UI scaling on modern screens are small and settings can be inconsistent. DSL reliably converts otherwise obsolete hardware into a basic-purpose machine or file server, but it’s unsuitable for smooth media playback or heavy modern web apps.
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Etruscan can be read aloud using its Greek-derived alphabet, but its vocabulary remains largely undeciphered due to the lack of a comprehensive dictionary. Unlike other ancient languages, it is not part of a well-understood language family, making translation difficult despite phonological understanding. (veiledantiquity.com)
Trump has called for a halt to attacks on Russian oil refineries amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine. The situation involves complex negotiations and strategic moves by Russia, Ukraine, and Western allies. (politico.com)
Nicolas Cage refused to sign an AI waiver for Amazon's 'Spider-Noir,' citing his stance against AI use in acting. He indicated he probably won't work with Amazon again but remains open to collaborating with new filmmakers. (variety.com)
CBirds is a C99 program that simulates a flock of birds using Craig Reynolds' boids algorithm, displayed in terminals with braille or sprite graphics. It runs on Linux and macOS without dependencies, offering a creative and visual terminal experience. (github.com)
Proposed changes to the U.S. census could cause a sharp, artificial increase in reported mortality and morbidity rates in 2030, misleading public health data. These changes will disproportionately affect certain groups, including people of color, immigrants, and specific age groups, without any actual health crises occurring. (statnews.com)
Donald Trump suggested Ukraine should have a new president and blamed President Zelenskyy for rising US diesel prices. The statement has sparked discussions about Ukraine's leadership and its impact on US fuel costs. (apnews.com)
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