Damn Small Linux (also known as DSL ) is a Debian/Linux distribution for the x86 architecture, originally in a bootable business card LiveCD format, it is now also capable of being installed to and run from the hard-disk, a Usb-key, a ?CompactFlash card, inside a Microsoft Windows or Linux host environment via ?Qemu or just about any other bootable media that can contain the required 50 MB.
Although the DSL project has maintained its 50 mb size limit, it still includes many essential desktop applications. Damn Small Linux was originally conceived and maintained by John Andrews, but has grown into a large community project with many contributors, most notably Robert Shingledecker for the creation of the MyDSL system, DSL Control Panel, and tons of other stuff.
Origins
Although based DSL originally on Model_K, a 22mb hack-down of Knoppix, DSL is now based on Knoppix proper, allowing much easier remastering and improvements.
Status of project
The last version was released 2008
See also: LiveCD