hal91

I recently had the chance to test out hal91, an interesting distribution of Linux created by Øyvind Kolås from Norway. While the creator has stopped working on hal91, it still remains available for use despite his website being down permanently.

One of the standout features of hal91 is the fact that it can be used on almost any PC with a 486DX or Pentium processor and fits onto a single floppy disk. That's right - you don't even need to modify your hard drive in any way. All you need to do is create a hal91 floppy disk and start up your computer from it.

However, it's important to note that hal91 does not have a graphical interface. You won't find X Window System, KDE, or GNOME on this distribution. Additionally, hal91 hasn't been updated since 1998 and lacks many of the parts that most people expect from a Linux operating system.

If you're planning on trying out hal91, it's worth noting that it runs off a RAM disk. While it may take a few minutes to start, it runs quickly once it gets going. Just keep in mind that if you edit any files on the hal91 disk or add any files to it, your changes will be lost once you shut off your computer. However, the hal91 user's guide offers a workaround for this issue.

Another potential drawback is that you'll need to use the "mount" command to access your hard disk on hal91. Unfortunately, this command can be tricky to use, and it doesn't work for users on Windows NT, 2000, or XP. Finally, hal91 will not be compatible with a 486SX or a 386, as it requires a math coprocessor.

Overall, hal91 is an interesting option for those looking for a lightweight and minimalist Linux distribution. Its lack of a graphical interface and older technology may not be for everyone, but it's worth checking out if you're curious.