What is Puppy Linux?

Puppy Linux is an operating system for computers. Other well-known operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Apple OSX, and MS-DOS. Puppy Linux is based on GNU/Linux. It is completely free and open source software.

Is there a HowTo?

Chief Developer Barry Kauler has a HowTo for Puppy Linux. Also try the Puppy Linux FAQ, or the Getting Started in the Forum. Last but not least, there is an English Manual here.

How is Puppy Different?

  • Small size, ~100MB! This lends itself to some very useful and unique features.
  • 'Live' booting from CDs, DVDs, USB flash drives, and other portable media.
  • Runs from RAM, making it unusually fast even in old PCs and in netbooks with solid state storage media.
  • Very low minimum system requirements.
  • Boot time is well under a minute, 30-40 seconds in most systems.
  • Includes a wide range of applications: wordprocessors, spreadsheets, internet browsers, games, image editors and many utilities. Extra software in the form of dotpets. There is a GUI Puppy Software Installer included.
  • Puppy is easy to use and little technical knowledge is assumed. Most hardware is automatically detected.

What are Puppy's Aims?

Puppy Linux Mission Statement (Adapted from Barry Kauler):

  • Puppy will easily install to USB, Zip, hard drive or other storage media.
  • Booting from CD (or DVD), Puppy can load itself totally into RAM so that the CD (DVD) drive is then free for other purposes.
  • Booting from DVD (or CD), Puppy can save all work to the DVD (CD).
  • Booting from USB flash drive (or other flash media), Puppy will minimize writes to extend its life.
  • Puppy will be extremely friendly for Linux newbies.
  • Puppy will boot up and run extraordinarily fast.
  • Puppy will have all the applications needed for daily use.
  • Puppy will just work, no hassles.
  • Puppy will breathe new life into old PCs.
  • Puppy will load and run totally in RAM for diskless thin stations.

How is Puppy organised?

It depends on what goal is to be achieved.
Barry Kauler is chief developer who leads the development of official releases, the latest being version 4.3.
Community Editions (official CE versions) are run by project leaders, the recent 4.2/4.2.1 version was run by Warren Willson (whodo).
Projects are run by individuals or groups and posted/discussed in the Forum.
Because Puppy is both flexible and fast, it can set up an organization as required for a given aim.

Who owns Puppy?

We all do. Puppy is covered by the GPL/LGPL license.

Who created Puppy?

Puppy Linux was first released in June 2003 by Barry Kauler The community that later developed is completely open, without any formal agenda or structure. It often takes newcomers a while to realise that, other than being friendly, there aren't really any rules to Puppy. If you want to do something, make a new Puplet, offer your skills or take things in a new direction, just do so and be surprised that support will be around. However, questions will be asked so be ready to defend your ideas.

Where does the name come from?

      The real puppy
Puppy as immortalized
in Barry Kauler's avatar

"The real Puppy, the mascot for Puppy Linux, was a very tiny dog, a Chihuahua, but totally fearless. He didn't seem to know that he was vulnerable because of his small size. Once when my sister was visiting my country property, she brought her Blue Heeler, a very solid middle-sized dog named Muti. We were out walking, and suddenly there was a substantial rustling of branches of a large bush, something was in or behind the bush. Muti took fright and ran back behind the legs of my sister, whereas Puppy got into launch position in front of the bush and barked furiously. It turned out to be my dad playing a trick on the dogs. Puppy used to chase kangaroos and other big wild animals. Anyway, Puppy Linux is like that, reckless, unshackled, in memory of the mascot" - Barry Kauler


Pages: