Tiny core linux is the smallest one I know of that is fully packaged (at 11MB). I use it for a similar purpose.
Another option is to install a server version like debian and add back only those pieces you need.
Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
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Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#12"A really lightweight Linux distro", this doesn't makes sense at all. The Linux kernel is the same for everybody, it depends on what your are running on it.
Pick your favorite distro, just install a tiny window manager, avoid running background applications and that's it.
If you don't have a favorite distro, then all depends on your Linux skill and/or the time you have. Good distros have already been given in this thread.
Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#13If you're not afraid of the command line (or are willing to learn), Arch is as lightweight as you want it to be. The initial install is very minimalist and the package management system makes it almost trivial to build up from there. Install Openbox and Chrome and you're all set with a pretty lean system. http://wiki.archlinux.org/
I'm not scared of the command line, but I'd rather not spend a long time setting up stuff like wifi, sound, etc. Is all that pretty easy to get going?
I'm also a huge Arch Linux fan. It's my only OS, and for the same reasons you're looking for: I just wanted the bare minimum.
After you get the base installed, just type "pacman -S chromium", and it'll just install the dependencies, and voila.
Then you can just put "exec chromium" in your .xinitrc and type `startx` each time you boot up, if you want to run a browser.
Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#14ubuntu 10.04 netbook edition runs very well on my 5 year old laptop (thinkpad x41, the 'netbook' of its day).
Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#15Try Meego for Netbooks (http://meego.com/downloads/releases/1.1/meego-v1.1-netbooks-...).
It comes configured with easy Wifi tools, works with my Netbook's Volume up/down button. Chrome is pre-installed. A different look than the other distros.
Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#16Has anyone tried out chromium OS? Its difficult to tell how complete the project is yet but it seems like the ideal solution.
Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#17You may want to tell us which netbook it is. There is a big difference between the original Eee PC and netbooks with the latest Atom CPU.
Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#18If you're not afraid of the command line (or are willing to learn), Arch is as lightweight as you want it to be. The initial install is very minimalist and the package management system makes it almost trivial to build up from there. Install Openbox and Chrome and you're all set with a pretty lean system. http://wiki.archlinux.org/
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Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#19If you're not afraid of the command line (or are willing to learn), Arch is as lightweight as you want it to be. The initial install is very minimalist and the package management system makes it almost trivial to build up from there. Install Openbox and Chrome and you're all set with a pretty lean system. http://wiki.archlinux.org/
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Re: Ask HN: Looking for a really lightweight Linux distro for my netbook
#20You could just install Ubuntu server and then add the GUI stuff you want.
More accurately, you could do a command-line only Ubuntu installation with the Ubuntu alternate CD, which isn't the same thing as a server installation, and then add what you want. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/LowMemorySyst... has more information.