Top 10 FASTEST and FREE open source OS

DAMN SMALL LINUX (DSL):

Lets start this list by featuring the most popular lightest OS available in the Linux distro, which is the DSL or Damn Small linux.
Damn Small Linux or DSL is a free operating system for the x86 family of personal computers. It was designed to run graphical applications on older PC hardware for example, machines with early Pentium processors and very little memory.
DSL is a Live CD with a size of 50 MB. What originally started as an experiment to see how much software could fit in 50 MB eventually became a full-fledged GNU/Linux distribution. It can be installed on storage media with small capacities, like bootable business cards, USB flash drives, various memory cards, and Zip drives.

CHROME OS :

Or what is official called the CHROMIUM OS  is an open-source project that aims to build an operating system that provides a fast, simple, and more secure computing experience for people who spend most of their time on the web. Here you can review the project’s design docs, obtain the source code, and contribute.

This OS is yet to release its beta version soon. Some of the main feautres were showcased in a google tech talk a month ago. The video below shows ” What is Chrome OS?”

JOLICLOUD OS:

Easy one of the most beautiful and clean looking Linux based netbook OS which has all the feature of the browser with easy to use built in apps.
Jolicloud is currently in open beta testing, and it’s already built a large, supportive following. Its foundation is the Ubuntu Netbook Remix, but Jolicloud adds a social layer and a nice, easy-to-use repository of web-based apps (like Gmail, Facbook, and Twitter) and locally installed ones (like VLC and Skype).

MOBLIN OS:

Intel’s backing gives Moblin a big boost publicity-wise, so it’s quickly become a key player in the netbook/ultraportable Linux game. Moblin V2 and 2.1 were big improvements over the first release, and the Mozilla-based web browser keeps getting better. Moblin boots quickly, and you can run it from an optical drive, USB flash drive, or install it onto your HDD or SSD.

XPUD :

A Firefox OS with App Store.

Power on, get online, start surfing or playing music and movie, within seconds. xPud is tiny – about 50/60MB – and it boots in about 10 seconds. In addition to Firefox, xPud also include MPlayer , and it has now added Chrome-style web app shortcuts as well. Using opt-get you can easily download a few other apps like Transmission, DropBox, Skype, and OpenOffice. More apps are on the way!

Slitaz

: Boot baby… boot!

SliTaz is a free operating system, working completely in RAM and booting from removable media such as a cdrom or USB key. SliTaz is distributed as a LiveCD, and weighs less than 30MB. The system is quick and responsive, clean and robust. SliTaz is simple and intuitive, providing a lightweight, elegant desktop, detailed documentation and easy to use configuration tools.

Browser Linux

BrowserLinux is a fast and small (77 Mb!) linux distribution for surfing the web.

MacPup Foxy (pictured)

Macpup Foxy 3.0 is the latest from the Macpup team. Macpup Foxy 3.0 is based on puppylinux 4.31.1 (k2.6.30.5) a bug fix version by Ttuuxxx. It also includes all the updates from the 4.3.1 servicepack.Fox 3 has all the apps from 4.3 plus Firefox (updated to 3.5.4) and Gimp 2.6.3. Fox 3 also Has Dbus 1.2.16 & Sakura 1.2.3 compiled and installed from source. The Enlightenment e17 window manager version .062 was also compiled and installed from source.You can also use jwm. Use the exit menu to change window managers, In e17 that is the exit icon on the desktop. Please note that not all the options in the e17 system shutdown menu work with puppy linux. That is why the exit menu was added.

MacPup Opera video

Macpup Opera is the latest from the Macpup team. It is based on Ttuuxxx’s 4.2v2 Deeper thought, a “no Bling” version of puppylinux 4.2 with all of the current updates. It has dbus 1.2.4 compiled and installed from source and the Enlightenment e17 desktop version 0.17.999.060 compiled and installed from source with the updated version of librsvg 2.26.0 . Also included is the Opera 9.64 browser compiled by Ttuuxxx.Works with both Xorg and Xvesa video drivers. Runs all the latest e17 themes and backgrounds. There is an option on the exit menu to switch back to jwm, if required.

SLAX

Slax is a modern, portable, small and fast Linux operating system(200 mb) with a modular approach and outstanding design. Despite its small size, Slax provides a wide collection of pre-installed software for daily use, including a well organized graphical user interface and useful recovery tools for system administrators.
If you are a beginner or you’re just too busy to make it yourself, follow a few steps to build your own customized operating system by using web-based interface here.

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