CRUX Linux 0.9.2 review

by , 24 January, 2002

Recently I gave a favourable review of the lightweight, i686-optimised Linux distribution, CRUX 0.9.1. I also mentioned that CRUX 0.9.2 was to be released before the end of January, 0.9.1 having been released on October 3rd. On the 20th January to my joy, the 0.9.2 ISO was released.

CRUX, you've lost weight!

And now for the best bit. 0.9.1 comes as a 413Mb ISO. Quite a chore for my 56k dial-up! Anyway...

I had sent an email to CRUX's creator, Per Lidén, mentioning the 0.9.1 review and thanking him for his fine Linux distribution, and in the email mentioned:

BTW. A minor suggestion, for us poor deprived dial-up users. Would you be contemplating a source-deprived version of CRUX, to have a CRUX ISO approaching the size of Peanut Linux, and Vector Linux?

To which, he promptly replied:

"I have actually thought about this, but haven't made up my mind yet. Some users want the source on the ISO and some don't. The next version of CRUX will however have a "ports-system" that maybe remove the need to have the source on the ISO since the source can very easily be downloaded using the ports-system. We'll see."

Well, Per (the saint that he is) did see, and did release the 0.9.2 ISO without source. The source after all, being a simple matter to obtain (which is more than can be said for a certain other operating system). As a result, CRUX 0.9.2 has been slimmed down to just 196Mb, 217Mb smaller than its predecessor, 0.9.1. What a difference this makes to obtaining the CRUX ISO on just a dial-up!

So what's new CRUX?

From the site:

"The biggest news in this release is the ports-system, try it using the ports tool (see ports(8) for further information) and a new version of pkgutils."

pkgutils being CRUX's package management system, used to build packages (*.pkg.tar.gz) from source, which can then be installed, inspected, and uninstalled in a snap. For further details, visit the CRUX site.

The ports tool, written by CRUX's creator, is an interesting addition. This from the man page to help shed some light:

"ports connects to a master repository and updates the local copy of a ports collection (using CVSup). A port is a directory containing all necessary files for building a software package using pkmk(8)."

In other words, it enhances CRUX's already nice package management system.

On the software side of things, CRUX receives some welcome updates, like the latest stable kernel, 2.4.17, the latest stable WindowMaker, 0.80.0, the latest XMMS, 1.2.6, and libogg and libvorbis, 1.0rc3. Effectively everything has been updated to the lastest stable version, giving CRUX that nice cutting-edge feel.

On a minor note, CRUX 0.9.2 also sees PPP added. A wise and welcome addition I'm sure you'll agree. No WvDial, but a simple matter for me to install.

Installation

Nothing's changed since 0.9.1 in the installation department, and since nothing needed changing, that's no bad thing. Rather than copy and paste, if you're interested see my last review for details.

One thing I will say is CRUX has turned me into a fan of ReiserFS, recommended in the CRUX installation notes. Aside from ReiserFS giving off a sort of geiger counter clicking sound that takes me fondly down memory lane, to the sound my 512Mb PCMCIA Amiga hard drive made, Ext3 keeps thrashing my hard drive, bring everything to a c-r-a-w-l. In irritation I often have to reboot to promptly get rid. ReiserFS is immune to this, also has the benefit of being a journalling filesystem (for quick crash recovery), and as an added bonus, files overall take up 6% less space on your hard drive. Effectively turning my 30Gb hard drive, into a 31.8Gb hard drive. Nice perk, that.

As for what CRUX looks like when it's up and running, picture WindowMaker with its blue background, XMMS running, and a few terminal windows open and you have CRUX. Nothing fancy, just a good solid base for then customising to your needs.

Is CRUX right for you?

Update: As of the 12th February, 2002, an i586 ISO image of CRUX 0.9.2 is available.

First off it's been optimised for the i686, so for other architectures it won't work. Secondly CRUX makes no pretence, to cater for the newbie. So avoid unless you're an experienced user. And thirdly be aware that CRUX fully lives up to its claim of being lightweight. This means there's only WindowMaker and no office applications. So if you're stuck big-time on the likes of KDE or GNOME, then you'll likely want to try another distribution. Personally I think it's best, not to get too stuck on the one GUI, and play with as many as possible.

The verdict

I think it's more than clear CRUX has won itself a fan. It's lightweight to the point of near-perfect. This in my mind being an important thing, and I have a fellow Linuxdot staff member to thank for really stressing the importance of lightweight over bloat, by endlessly singing praise to the likes of Peanut Linux and Vector Linux and the wrongs of all major distributions. The "everything and the kitchen sink," he calls it. You could do worse than to listen to Bill every once in a while. :-)

With its stripping (removal of debugging information) of binaries, removal of info pages and /usr/doc/ files, and wise choice of packages, if Linuxdot.org was to issue awards, then CRUX would win hands-down for the Lightweight Distribution of the Year Award.

It's i686-optimised. For a non-i686 user that's a bummer, but hey there's another 99 Linux distributions you can try instead. For an i686 owner though, this is a big-plus. It sure is nice to know your distribution is optimised, like a tailor-made tux, for your CPU.

As I mentioned in my last review, one of CRUX's best features is the use of devfs, something all distributions should promptly move toward. Tied in with all the latest stable packages, and it's own impressive package management system, CRUX won't fail to impress.

Last time I gave CRUX the thumbs-up. This time I give it the full thumbs-up. Per Lidén, you have a winner.

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