• Getting Started

• Building OS/1337

• Project Goals

• Roadmap for OS/1337 development

• Acknowledgements of external helpers

• Further Sources to read into

• License

  • TLDR: It's 0BSD as created by Rob Landley and used for toybox.

    • Please note that this does not apply to all parts of OS/1337 - notably the Linux Kernel!

80x25 terminal (per default) with options to even run in 80x24

• 25th line is used as menu- / navigation- / statusbar
  • as customary from Terminals like the DEC VT320

• Lack of X.org/Wayland/... and 'bloated' GUI apps per default make it extremely low-power friendly.
• Can run on extemely low powered systems.
  • Can be run entirely from RAM

Besides the basic core system, it's kept very lean just to enshure it's not bloated, with only concessions being made to reduce avoidable and burdensome inconveniences and incompatibilities.

Simply because a battle-tested, well maintained, versatile and with ample drivers equipped Kernel exists and rewriting it solely for the purpose of not using it is at best childish if not foolish.

• OFC there are various other kernels that could also be used, like the ones of OpenBSD & FreeBSD or even Illumos [nee OpenSolaris] but that would just exceed the scope of this project. Feel free to DIY tho...
  • Linux as a Kernel however has by far the most versatile support for architectures and hardware installed.

Simply because the absolute bare-minimum System should comfortably fit on a 1.440kB FDD.

• Toybox also includes the most essential functions and tools so the bare minimum system is the Toybox binary which would include the Kernel and C library.
  • Not to mention Toybox is easy to setup and build from scratch, which is desireable for those wanting a system that can be audited at a lower cost.
    • OFC one could use BusyBox or even a *BSD Userland if they so desire...
      • But that's NOT THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT!

Because Glibc is a mess that tends to brick systems at the slightest minor version update, basically requiring recompilation or everything.

• This is totally impractical for anyone having to work with CCSS aka. Commercial Closed Source Software and thus only gets binaryblobs to execute.
  • Also uClibc and uClibc-ng are basically Abandonware at this point.

After all, even a simplistic system should have the ability to install and uninstall applications.

• It's very bare-bones, but it does it's job...
  • And yes it's a fork of SSPM.

Because a Package Manager without Repository is pretty much pointless.

• Even tho it mostly contains just binaries to yoink and use.

To allow for easier setup and customization...

• Also helps finding misconfigurations.

To enable reproducible builds and spins.

• Furthermore delivering transparency.

• To be used on Systems that are being accessed via Terminals like:
  • DEC VT320
  • violence.works VT-69
• "Slim Clients" & "Thin Clients"
  • hp t620
    • OFC that thin client is still fast enough to run BunsenLabs Linux and Tails but that doesn't mean it'll remain this way for very long...
• Legacy Systems too slow or never designed to even run any GUI
  • Netbooks
    • VAIO P series
      • Sony VAIO P11Z
        • Mostly due to Intel's Fuckup that is the GMA500 Onboard-GPU.
    • VIA OpenBook
• Select SoC's and Embedded as well as legacy devices.
  • Raspberry Pi Zero W
  • more depending on whether or not someone wants to build for and maintain them.

In theory it could also be used as a "Rescue System" or similar, but there are better tools out there like Rescatux and Trinity Rescue Kit.

Please realize that this isn't intended for people freshly switching to Linux.

• Unless you have like decades of Unix Experience, this will be hard.
  • Espechally since this is is an Embedded Linux Distribution, not a mainsteam distro, and is thus closer to ELKS than Debian.

So please shift your expectation accordingly!

If you just want a lightweight & Portable Desktop OS, consider Tails, BunsenLabs Linux or if you want something for guest and strangers to use, Porteus Kiosk.

• OS/1337 wants to make TinyCore look "phat" in comparison.
  • OFC this is achieved by virtue of sacrificing a Xorg/Wayland-based GUI!

• The "base" system only adds dropbear, enc, ne and nail.
• The "main" system offers tmux, curl, lynx, aerc, btop, mc, aria2 on top of that.
• The "xtra" system then includes all packages except "servers" and "development tools".

Your experience with any *DOS won't help you here...

It's a wordplay upon OS/2, OS/360, OS/390 & z/OS.

• Naming it OS/3 or OS/420 was deemed too risky from a trademark standpoint, and one could reason it's meant to spread confusion among users of OS/2 or the OS/360 - z/OS family.
  • Exacerbated by the fact that it's neither made nor endorsed by IBM and doesn't support the same z/Architecture as the aformentioned Mainframes.
• It's a homage to old terminal Systems as well as to the clichee of "Hackers" that must always work with amber and/or green consoles on their ThinkPads and MacBooks wearing Fawkes Masks and black Hoodies.

Floppinux is a minimalist Linux distro designed to run from a single 3,5", 1440 KB Floppy Disk.

• It's based on BusyBox and a current Linux Kernel.
  • But strips basically most of the unused features out of it.

Ready-to-Use Binary Versions are only distributed via magnet: links over BitTorrent in order to enshure resilient availability and speed for everyone.

• Just use Transmission or LibreTorrent for Downloading if you don't know how.
  • If your ISP blocks BitTorrent get rid of your ISP or use a VPN.
• Just don't be antisocial and use Tor to Torrent because all you'll do is exhaust valuable bandwith of exit nodes whilst compromizing your own anonymity.
  • This is free software, not some pirated stuff!
    • If you think BitTorrent has no "legitimate use" then you are banned from using OS/1337.
  • Same goes for those that just download from the severely bandwith-restricted webseed and/or only leech the torrent.

• Liz Fong-Jones has done a pretty good 3 part explainer series why you should never use them at all and in a way more concise and understandable form without ranting than I could do.
  • After all, the current maintainer pushed for #DropKiwifarms on other occasions.

• Espechally if these are knowingly and willingly supporting Terrorism by their own admission and are more part of the Problems than Solutions.
  • "Protecting the Good Guys for free" doesn't make said business less of a protection racket as they knowingly and willingly also host attackers wanting to extort others for ransom.

Frugal Computing