Distrowar: TinyME vs. Sidux - A month has already passed since our last distrowar, so we are at the right moment to bring it on again. This time, two equally capable Linux distributions that I have recently tried and tested will battle it out to determine who has the upper hand.It’s TinyME against Sidux for today's main event. Now, without further ado, let’s get ready to rumble! It's showtime!
Distrowar Arena (Test Machine Specs):
Board: Intel Corporation D102GGC2
Processor: 3.40 GHz Intel Pentium D
Hard Drive: Samsung 80GB ATA
Memory: 2GB DDR2 RAM
Display: ATI RADEON X1050
Tale of the Tape:
Distro Name: Sidux/ Weight:448MB/ Country Origin:Germany/ Distro Origin:Debian/ Package Mgt.:DEB/ Default Desktop:KDE/ Distrowatch Rank:#23
Distro Name:TinyME/ Weight:199MB/ Country Origin:USA/ Distro Origin:PCLinuxOS/ Package Mgt.:RPM (APT)/ Default Desktop:Openbox /Distrowatch Rank:#51Speed Test:
Download Time- Winner, TinyME!
Boot/Startup Time - Winner, Sidux!
Responsiveness- Draw!
Decoding:
Obviously, TinyME is the winner in the “Download Time” category because of its smaller-sized installer. I consider it a plus for a distro that has lesser size and hence can be completely downloaded in lesser time also. Sidux boots surprisingly faster than TinyME, but only around 8 seconds separated their startup time speed. It’s a tie for “Responsiveness” because they were both quick performers.
Obviously, TinyME is the winner in the “Download Time” category because of its smaller-sized installer. I consider it a plus for a distro that has lesser size and hence can be completely downloaded in lesser time also. Sidux boots surprisingly faster than TinyME, but only around 8 seconds separated their startup time speed. It’s a tie for “Responsiveness” because they were both quick performers.
Aesthetics:
Default Theme- Winner, Sidux!
Extras- Winner, Sidux!
Artwork- Winner, Sidux!
Decoding:
For "Aesthetics", it is really hard to decide because they both look good. Nevertheless, Sidux seems to have a slight edge against TinyME in every "Aesthetics" sub-category so I made it the winner.
For "Aesthetics", it is really hard to decide because they both look good. Nevertheless, Sidux seems to have a slight edge against TinyME in every "Aesthetics" sub-category so I made it the winner.
Features:
Pre-installed Applications- TinyME!
Available Packages from Repo- TinyME!
Ease of Use- Winner, TinyME!
Decoding:
I have to give it all to TinyME for the “Features” category for the following reasons; it has better line-up of pre-installed software applications and utilities, it has more available software packages from its repositories, and it is relatively easier to use compared to Sidux.
I have to give it all to TinyME for the “Features” category for the following reasons; it has better line-up of pre-installed software applications and utilities, it has more available software packages from its repositories, and it is relatively easier to use compared to Sidux.
Stability:
Hardware Detection- Draw!
Software Maintenance- Draw!
Error Handling- Draw!
Decoding:
They both performed smooth and steady on my test machine. Accordingly, I can only give a draw verdict for the “Stability” category. Also, I know that an extensive use is required for me to accurately judge their constancy. So, I will just leave it to those that may have used Sidux and TinyME for a much longer period of time than I had and can precisely compare which is more stable among the two.
Final Score:Sidux = 4
TinyME = 4
*Draw!
Conclusion:
For the first time ever in the history of distrowar, we have a tie. This only means that Sidux and TinyME may differ in strengths and weaknesses, but in the end, they are in the same way competent.
As always, let me remind you that distrowar is just for the spirit of fun and should not be taken seriously. However, you can always take it seriously if you want to. :)
For the first time ever in the history of distrowar, we have a tie. This only means that Sidux and TinyME may differ in strengths and weaknesses, but in the end, they are in the same way competent.
As always, let me remind you that distrowar is just for the spirit of fun and should not be taken seriously. However, you can always take it seriously if you want to. :)
Funny article. It would have been nice if Sidux wins on a split decision... :)
ReplyDeleteTinyme is still at the test stage. Another test release is due in a few weeks that will blow the previous version. If you thought this version was good, wait until you see the next one ;)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't think that the "7000+" packages advertized by pclos on its main web site are more than the 18000+ official packages of debian, that become even more by adding the sidux ones and a couple of unofficial but well-tested repos, like those from debian-unofficial.org or debian-multimedia.org (I see 22479 packages on my enabled repositories).
ReplyDeleteIf you counted only the sidux ones, then the comparison is unfair, because sidux IS a debian and is MEANT to use the full "unstable" debian repositories.
It's sidux not Sidux, no capitalization, as can be seen on the sidux website, and the icon posted near the top. Both distros here are great, I recommend both.
ReplyDelete