Puppy Linux distribution

Created in 2003, Puppy Linux is a small Linux distribution conceived for use on computers with low RAM.

What is the specialty of Puppy Linux?

Today, it is available in three flavors: official releases from the development team, which are often used for simple tasks; woof-built Puppy Linux releases, which may contain additional packages to enhance the system's capabilities; and unofficial releases, also called "paplets," which are reworks of the official versions created by enthusiasts.

Boot images range in size from 300 MB for 32-bit systems and 600 MB for 64-bit systems. After downloading the image, the installation device can be removed and the system is fully loaded into RAM. Starting with version 6, the distribution is based on Ubuntu and uses its repositories.

Advantages of the distribution

One of the main advantages of Puppy Linux is its small size - boot images are usually only 300-600 MB in size, while other distributions can weigh several gigabytes. This allows you to quickly boot and work with the system on low-performance computers.

It's also worth noting that Puppy Linux can be booted from a bootable USB device or CD/DVD, making it portable and easy to use on any computer.

Another advantage of Puppy Linux is that it is accessible to Linux beginners, as it has a simple and intuitive interface. Of course, there are more advanced features for advanced users, but beginners can easily get used to the system.

Finally, it's worth noting that the distribution supports a wide range of hardware and drivers, making it more versatile and user-friendly.

Disadvantages of Puppy Linux

Like any operating system, Puppy Linux has some disadvantages:

1. Limited features: it is designed to be used on outdated, low-end computers. This means that it has limited features and functionality that may not be sufficient for advanced users.
2. Limited support: Puppy Linux users are in a small community, which can lead to limited support and resources to resolve issues.
3. Not fully compatible with Debian and Ubuntu: Puppy Linux is based on the Ubuntu and Debian systems, but is not fully compatible with them. This can lead to application installation and customization problems.
4. Not beginner-friendly: the operating system can be difficult for beginners because of its features and unusual interface.
5. Not suitable for working with games and graphics: due to its limited features, Puppy Linux is not the best choice for working with games and graphics.

How to install Puppy Linux

There are several ways to install Puppy Linux. Here's one of them:

1. Download the ISO image from the official Puppy Linux website to your computer.
2. Create a bootable USB drive or DVD from the downloaded ISO image using a disk burning program (such as Rufus for USB or ImgBurn for DVD).
3. Connect the bootable media to the computer on which you want to install Puppy Linux.
4. Boot your computer from the rescue media. You can do this by selecting boot from media in the system's BIOS or UEFI settings.
5. Run the Puppy Linux installation. For most Puppy Linux distributions, the installer is available in the menu of the running system.
6. Follow the installer's instructions: select language, installation disk, partitions, formatting, etc.
7. Once Puppy Linux has been successfully installed, restart your computer.
8. Done! You can start using Puppy Linux.

Please note that installing the operating system may delete all data on your hard disk, so it is recommended to back up all important data before installation.