Mini Distribution Puppy Linux 3.0 Released
The latest version of the Puppy Linux distribution, which weighs in at a mere 100MB, includes useful changes to the boot, configuration and shutdown scripts.
USB capabilities to the max: Puppy version 3.0 reduces the number of RAM backups to flash memory to one every 30 minutes. This reduction in write access enhances flash memory life. The Petget package manager can now install large packages directly in the pup_save file. This removes the need to reboot when the distribution runs out of memory. At the same time, the init script can handle far more boot parameters. Refer to the release notes for more details.
Puppy developer Barry Kauler points to binary compatibility with Slackware 12 thanks to Glibc 2.5, Gcc 4.1.2 and Gtk 2.10.13: "Most of the libraries in Puppy are now from Slackware." This means that Puppy Linux is extensible by adding Slackware packages, without the distribution becoming a Slackware clone. Puppy Linux owes its name to its size: it weighs in at just 100MB and is thus perfect for use on USB sticks.
Besides the new Puppy 3.0 ISO with kernel 2.6.21.7, the developer team offers a "retro" Puppy with an older 2.6.18.1 kernel. For the latest news on Puppy development, check out Kauler's blog.