Crunchbang 9.04.1 Released

Crunchbang is an Ubuntu derivative distribution that defaults to lightweight alternatives of the pretty heavy GNOME desktop systems and GNOME applications provided by the default Ubuntu install. Crunchbang is not lightweight enough to be installed on very old computers, but it might be just what you need to be able to comfortably use your single core hardware from around ten years ago.

The latest release is 9.04.01, based on the latest stable Ubuntu release. Downloads availble here.

8 comments:

Lo0m said...

hey, #! is my distro of choice for last half a year.. it's great, but be sure to know that's it's not open-source by default (it's bundled with proprietary codecs, etc.).. im running #! 8.04 on celeron 1.2Ghz/256 MB RAM without any problem (even compositing works).. but i'll replace that with the Lite version anyway...

Mikko said...

That's a good point. Furthermore, I don't really see the point of using a lightweight Ubuntu derivative distribution as one can always use Debian.

Lo0m said...

Mikko: yes and no... if one can always use Debian then "one" has to be a person with some knowledge about how linux really works.. #! as Ubuntu is a lot easier to use/install and Ubuntu is well known for its massive community (99% of howtos on ubuntuforums are aplicable on #! as well - that's not true for Debian).. Debian is also (Stable branch) very secure and because of that it's somehow outdated.. Ubuntu has better release cycle (yes, that's just my opinion)... so yes - a person with knowledge about linux or seeking that knowledge can (or even should) use Debian instead.. but I believe both Ubuntu and #! are produced for the masses with little linux background (and that goes hand-in-hand with packing proprietary software with #!)

Mikko said...

Ubuntu used to be a lot easier than Debian to install, but in my opinion the difference is not anymore so obvious. Debian's graphical installer has made the installation process much less intimidating to now users compared with the old text moder installer, which I BTW still prefer :-)

But of course, the needs and tastes vary between the users. Some of us are geeks or want to become geeks, some of use just want to get their everyday computing done without the OS getting in the way. For the latter I certainly would recommend either Ubuntu or openSUSE.

10ksnooker said...

OK, Why not just load openbox as a graphics shell option on plain Ubuntu? It still uses the same old slo-Fox browser and the rest, right? Are there any real significant changes that make it faster than standard Ubuntu...?

My way too old 3.0GHz PIV wants to know ... What's the best way to get some more mileage from this old box, I just don't have the money for shiny new right now. Ubuntu is just over the acceptable line, but would like something a little bit faster.

Lo0m said...

10ksnooker: #! on 3.0Ghz P4 will be fast as hell.. And if that won't be enough, download the Lite version.. the difference betwen #! and "Ubuntu with openbox" is that #! uses Openbox as default and does not contain many gnome dependencies by default...

and for the browser - i use firefox/vimperator on the fastest machine, dillo2/elinks/"links2 -g" combo on slower ones..

Mikko said...

You call a PC with 3.0 GHz an old box?

I use Debian with 600 MHz + 384 and I'm completely happy with the performance. Another PC I own (1 GHz + 256 MB) has AntiX and it is fast enough for me.

10ksnooker said...

Lo0m ... Thanks appreciate the explanation -- I will give #! a go.

It seems all the Ubuntu creeping features come with a price.