Linux Alternatives and Minimalist Software Recommendations

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

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Image Viewers

Minimalist and efficient image viewers:

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

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Password Managers

Secure, minimalist password managers for your terminal:

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

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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.