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Linux Alternatives and Minimalist Software Recommendations

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This repository provides recommendations for lightweight, efficient Linux distributions, browsers, editors, and other tools.

Distributions

Here’s a list of Linux distributions that offer alternatives to systemd and prioritize simplicity, modularity, and efficiency:

  • Alpine Linux: A minimalist, security-oriented distribution known for being lightweight.
  • Devuan: A systemd-free version of Debian, offering the familiar APT package manager.
  • Artix Linux: Arch-based, but uses runit or openrc as init systems instead of systemd.
  • Void Linux: An independent distribution that uses runit and features a very active and welcoming community.

Browsers

For a more minimalist, efficient browsing experience, consider using these alternatives:

  • Abaco: A graphical web browser for Plan 9, supporting most of HTML 4.01.
  • Dillo: A blazingly fast graphical browser with basic CSS support.
  • ELinks: A feature-rich fork of Links, without a graphical mode.
  • netsurf: A fast graphical browser with a custom engine and near-perfect CSS support.
  • surf: A WebKit2-based browser that can be embedded into other applications.
  • w3m: A text-based browser that can view images in the terminal (with X11 hack).

Text Editors

Minimalist and efficient text editors:

  • acme: A framing text editor for Plan 9 by Rob Pike.
  • helix: A post-modern modal text editor based on Kakoune, written in Rust.
  • micro: A terminal-based editor with familiar keybindings (e.g., ctrl-c for copy).
  • vim: The iconic text editor with extensive customization options.

Desktop Environments

If you prefer desktop environments over window managers, here are some lighter options:

  • XFCE: A classic, lightweight desktop environment with a good balance of features and performance.
  • MATE: A fork of GNOME 2, lightweight and user-friendly.
  • LXQt: A lightweight, modular desktop environment based on Qt.
  • LXDE: Designed to be lightweight, with a focus on simplicity and performance.
  • Enlightenment: An advanced, configurable desktop environment.

Window Managers

For an even more minimalistic setup, consider these window managers:

  • DWM: A highly customizable and minimal window manager, customizable via code.
  • i3-gaps: A tiling window manager customizable via config files.
  • bspwm: A tiling window manager based on binary space partitioning.
  • IceWM: Known for its speed, simplicity, and low resource usage.

Terminals

Efficient terminal emulators for minimalist setups:

  • ST: Lightweight and customizable, requires patching to add/remove features.
  • Alacritty: A GPU-accelerated terminal for speed and performance.
  • Kitty: A fast, feature-rich terminal emulator.
  • rxvt-unicode: A lightweight and customizable terminal.

File Managers

For file management in the terminal:

  • Ranger: A command-line file manager written in Python, with a visually appealing layout.
  • LF: A command-line file manager written in Go, a faster alternative to Ranger.
  • NNN: A minimalist file manager written in C, focusing on speed and simplicity.

Media Players

Command-line and GUI media players that are lightweight and efficient:

  • MPV: A flexible media player with command-line and graphical capabilities.
  • ncmpcpp: A text-based music player, ideal for minimal setups.
  • moc: A console audio player with a simple interface.

Image Viewers

Minimalist and efficient image viewers:

  • feh: Highly customizable, and can also set desktop backgrounds.
  • sxiv: A simple and lightweight image viewer.

Password Managers

Secure, minimalist password managers for your terminal:

  • pass: The standard UNIX password manager.
  • spm: A simple password manager written in Rust.

Recommendations for Other Tools

  • Mail clients: mutt, aerc
  • Static web servers: quark, darkhttpd
  • Media players: MPV, mocp
  • Terminal multiplexer: mtm – the smallest useful terminal multiplexer.