I just downloaded the version 10 of Crunchbang linux. Sometimes the distribution is also referred to as "#!" from the characters used in the linux command prompt.
This is a lightweight and very usable linux distribution, that was also recently featured on Linux Journal's Blog.
I installed it as a Vmware Virtual Machine on a Macpro, but I only gave it 512kb of RAM since this distribution is touted as a lightweight operating system. I chose the openbox window manager installation. There is also an xfce4 option as well. One of the benefits of running an operating system as a virtual machine, is after your initial configuration, you can copy the virtual machine and instantly roll-back to a fresh, clean installation at any time.
The first installation screen gives you a few options, including a live installation that doesn't touch any of your files, or a full hard-hard drive installation, using a graphical installation:
If you choose the Graphical Install option, you are then guided through the installation:
When the installation is complete, the system reboots and then after you login, a post-installation script runs asking you if you would like to install any additional components:
This is what really makes this distribution useful. Now you have the option of configuring a web-server and setting up your Drupal development environment! Similar to a "WAMP, MAMP, or XAMP" installation, you will be able to access your server from localhost/
After hitting any key, the script updates all of the software installed on your system. After the updates, a series of prompts ask you about various other software packages to download and install for printers, java, and the liquorix experimental kernel.
After that portion completes, we now get in to the section that will interest us Drupal folks; the development software section:
The first package you are asked about is Git, the version control system that Drupal.org just switched to.
Following that, SSH, and then the Holy Grail, a LAMP Stack!
Hit any key and you've got Apache, Mysql, and PHP installed for you. Essentially everything you need for a web-development environment. You are also asked if you would like to automatically set up symlinks for the environment.
Open a web-browser, Chrome is included by default, and visit "localhost".
Your Web Server is already running and you can now add files to your htdocs directory.
After installation, you'll find the desktop is sparse. This is by design!
Now, simply right-click to open the menu:
It performed very quickly even with this very low amount of memory available.
Since it is Debian based, updates and software installations are quick and easy through the Synaptic Package Manger.
This linux distribution may also be very useful for beginner handouts at Drupalcamps, since it would cut down on installation of MAMP and XAMP on attendees computers. The installation could be customized to include whater linux installation you want to use, packaged to a live disc, and then handed to participants.
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