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TinyMe another PClinuxOS

By Ian Urie

A recent cut-down version of PClinuxOS has been up for download for a while before the latest version of the main distro.
The title names it, TinyMe.
Unfortunately, the latest version will be the last that is directly associated with PClinuxOS.
According to the developer's blog, he has had a rift with the PClinuxOS team and is unable to resolve the differences, so will move away from the main distro for the next version.



Again, you'll notice the initial grabs were done on a virtual machine.
The boot screens are practically identical with PClinuxOS.



Since it follows the main distro almost faithfully, it didn't have any problems with hardware 
The log in screen is where you start to notice a difference.



The ISO is only 150mb for the distro.
Compare this with the full blown PClinuxOS at nearly 700mb.
You might wonder how they managed to scale the distro down..........



Yup, KDE is no more.
The window manager is Openbox.



Again, as with PClinuxOS the Internet connection configured itself.
So what comes with TinyMe ?



Most of the control center for PClinuxOS, that's what!









This, in itself, is quite a feat.
Lots of configuration options.
I like live distros to show off the capabilities of the CD, and Linux.



The distro can be remastered after you download goodies onto it.
I said, after you download, and I meant it.
The distro has console tools but is bereft of apps with a GUI.
It doesn't even have a browser built in (a standard browser).

Luckily, it still uses Synaptic to install.







I decided to install Opera, the only browser listed.



It didn't look promising , all that extra output showing errors.
After it had finished, I checked the menus.
Nope, no new menu entry.
I tried a console and typed opera.........



Yeah, success!
So, it can be done.
The distro blurb explains it is a minimalistic distro like Damn Small Linux and Puppy.
I'm afraid I didn't find it anywhere near these two.
Both of the two named are fully fledged distros , in that they include all manner of apps straight from the ISO ready to run.
This has none of that.
I'd compare it to a roll your own type of experience.
It gives a base where you would customise to install the apps you felt you needed then remaster it.
I'm afraid the point of this passes me by.
It seems more like a novel experiment rather than a serious contender for a small lightweight distro.
Want something small that's ready to roll?
Don't bother with this then.
Sorry, it just didn't do anything for me.