Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SparkyLinux VS Damn Small Linux

Compare SparkyLinux VS Damn Small Linux and see what are their differences

SparkyLinux logo SparkyLinux

The project page of SparkyLinux distribution

Damn Small Linux logo Damn Small Linux

Damn Small Linux is a very versatile 50MB mini desktop oriented Linux distribution.
  • SparkyLinux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-01-09
  • Damn Small Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-05-16

SparkyLinux features and specs

  • Lightweight
    SparkyLinux is designed to be lightweight, making it well-suited for older hardware and systems with limited resources.
  • Diverse editions
    Offers multiple editions, including Minimal, GameOver, Multimedia, and more, allowing users to choose one that best suits their needs.
  • Rolling release
    Uses a rolling release model, providing users with access to the latest software updates without needing to wait for a new version release.
  • Debian-based
    Being based on Debian, it inherits a strong stability, large community support, and access to a vast number of packages.
  • Customizable
    Highly customizable, enabling users to adjust the system to their preferences and needs easily.

Possible disadvantages of SparkyLinux

  • Limited documentation
    Compared to larger distributions, it may have limited documentation and community support resources available.
  • Potential stability issues
    As a rolling release distribution, it may occasionally face stability issues with new software updates.
  • Learning curve
    May have a steeper learning curve for users who are unfamiliar with Debian-based systems or new to Linux in general.
  • Less mainstream
    Not as widely used as some other Linux distributions, which may result in fewer third-party resources or tutorials.

Damn Small Linux features and specs

  • Lightweight
    Damn Small Linux (DSL) is extremely lightweight, with a size of just 50MB, allowing it to run on older hardware and systems with limited resources.
  • Fast Boot Time
    Due to its small size, DSL offers fast boot times, which can be beneficial for quick access to a working environment, particularly on older machines.
  • Low Resource Consumption
    DSL is designed to use minimal system resources, making it suitable for machines with low RAM and slow CPUs.
  • USB Bootable
    DSL can be run from a USB stick, allowing users to carry it as a portable operating system and use it on different machines.
  • Customizability
    DSL provides tools for users to customize and install additional applications, despite its small size, catering to specific needs.

Possible disadvantages of Damn Small Linux

  • Outdated Software
    DSL has not been actively updated in recent years, which means it may not support newer hardware or provide the latest security patches and software.
  • Limited Functionality
    Given its focus on minimalism, DSL's default software selection might not meet all users' needs, requiring additional customization or installation of software.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    The installation and configuration of DSL might be complex for Linux newcomers, as it often requires more command-line interaction compared to modern, user-friendly distros.
  • Limited Support and Documentation
    Due to its niche status and reduced community engagement, there is a limited amount of recent support and documentation available online.
  • Compatibility Issues
    As technology progresses, DSL may face compatibility issues with newer hardware or network configurations, which could limit its usage.

SparkyLinux videos

SparkyLinux - Fast, User Friendly and Brilliant

More videos:

  • Review - SparkyLinux - Fast and Lightweight Debian

Damn Small Linux videos

Damn Small Linux Review

More videos:

  • Review - Damn Small Linux - DSL - Fastest and Smallest Linux Distribution - Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SparkyLinux and Damn Small Linux)
Operating Systems
73 73%
27% 27
Linux
68 68%
32% 32
Linux Distribution
65 65%
35% 35
OS & Utilities
72 72%
28% 28

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SparkyLinux and Damn Small Linux

SparkyLinux Reviews

13 Best Linux distros for gaming in 2022
Overall, if you’re an avid gamer inclined towards playing games on an emulator, it’s a game over once you install the SparkyLinux – Gameover edition.
Best Linux Distro for Gaming
SparkyLinux is a lightweight Linux distro with a special release for gaming – the GameOver Edition. It’s based on Debian Stable and it uses the Xfce DE. Similar to GamePack, it’s a distro with a lot of games and emulators pre-installed. If you prefer a lightweight Linux gaming distro that you can also use as a daily driver, this might be a good choice for you.
Source: linuxstans.com

Damn Small Linux Reviews

We have no reviews of Damn Small Linux yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SparkyLinux should be more popular than Damn Small Linux. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SparkyLinux mentions (2)

  • GamerOS Renamed to ChimeraOS
    Https://sparkylinux.org/ that one I guess. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • will kubntu be faster on my laptop than windows 7?
    Go with Debian or one in its derivative, sparkylinux is a good one, I would pick the 5.14 LXqt iso. Source: about 4 years ago

Damn Small Linux mentions (1)

  • Very lightweight distro with GUI that can be run from live cd. 128MB of RAM or less OLD desktop
    I'd say what you need in this case is Damn Small Linux. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SparkyLinux and Damn Small Linux, you can also consider the following products

Garuda Linux - Garuda Linux is an appealing Arch Linux based Distro with BTRFS (modern filesystem), Linux-zen kernel, auto snapshots, gaming edition and a lot more bleeding edge features..

Anarchy Linux - A distro that helps setting up a Archlinux system.

Manjaro - Manjaro Linux is a linux distribution which is based on arch linux. It uses the PACMAN package manager.

Linux From Scratch - Linux From Scratch (LFS) is a project that provides you with the steps necessary to build your own...

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

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