💾 FLOPPINUX: A Minimalist Linux Distribution

Welcome to the repository for FLOPPINUX, an ambitious project that squeezes a fully operational Embedded Linux environment onto a single, classic 3.5" floppy disk.

"Think of it as the 'Linux From Scratch' equivalent for those aiming to create a distribution that fits on a single floppy."

🐧 Project Overview

FLOPPINUX is a functional Linux OS engineered for extreme hardware constraints. It provides a direct boot into a working command-line interface, offering both essential utilities and a small area for persistent data.

🛠️ The 2025 Workshop (v0.3.1)

The project currently features a comprehensive tutorial designed to guide users through the process of building their own version of FLOPPINUX from the ground up.

⚙️ Technical Specifications

FLOPPINUX is designed to breathe life into ~~modern bloated systems~~ ancient hardware and embedded devices.

Hardware Requirements

To run this distribution, your system must meet the following minimums:

Component	Minimum Requirement
CPU	Intel 486DX @ 33MHz (or newer 32-bit x86)
RAM	$20\text{ MB}$
Storage	3.5" Floppy Disk Drive

Core Capabilities

Kernel: Utilizes the latest Linux kernel 6.14.11 with specific i486 support.
Footprint: Fits entirely within $1.44\text{ MB}$ .
Storage: Includes $\approx 264\text{ KB}$ of persistent storage for user files.
Tooling: Comes equipped with the vi text editor and critical file management tools.
Compatibility: Fully operational on both physical legacy hardware and various emulators.
Nature: Completely hackable and customizable.

🗺️ System Architecture

The following diagram illustrates the simplified boot and operational flow of FLOPPINUX:

📚 Resources & Documentation

📥 Downloads & Source

Binary: [Latest Floppy Image (1.44MB)]
Code: [GitHub Repository]

📖 Learning Materials

The project provides guides in multiple formats: MD, ePub, and Online HTML.

Tutorials:
- Review the 2025 Update (v0.3.1)
- Study the Original 2021 Tutorial
- Learn to Create Sample Applications
- Guide: Building 32-bit FLOPPINUX on 64-bit Hosts

🌐 Community & Press

FLOPPINUX has been featured and discussed across various tech platforms:

Deep Dives: Action Retro and dscp46 (Alternative DMF Layouts).
Media: Featured on hackaday.com, xda-developers.com, and the Adafruit Blog.
Discussions: Active threads on Hacker News and Mastodon.
Mirrors: A community fork is available on GitLab.

💝 Support the Project

FLOPPINUX is developed as a free and open-source endeavor under the CC0-1.0 license. If you appreciate the effort to keep legacy computing alive, consider supporting the developer.

Support via: Liberapay

💻 Visual Representation

Floppy Disk Concept

 _________________ 
/_/ FLOPPINUX /_/; 
/ ' boot disk ' // 
/ '------------' // 
/ .--------.     // 
/ / / / // .___/_________/__// 
/ 1440KiB '===\_________\==' 
/ 3.5"

Now, go forth and create something fascinating!

Official Homepage: https://krzysztofjankowski.com/floppinux/