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Fatdog64 Linux is a small yet versatile 64-bit multi-user Linux distribution. Originally created as a "fatter" (=more built-in applications) derivative of Puppy Linux, Fatdog has grown to become an independent, mature 64-bit Linux distribution while still keeping true to Puppy Linux spirit: small, fast and efficient.
One of my readers recommended me Fatdog64, a lightweight live USB GNU/Linux distro. I figured out I should definitely try it, as it has some intriguing concepts. It is based on GNU/Linux from Scratch 8.2 featuring the GNU/Linux kernel 5.4.152, which makes it more lightweight than the other live USB distributions out there. I must mention the developers have the "eat your own dog food" principle, so they use their own builds of Fatdog in their daily lives.
By default, the root system is read-only. It uses save files that are loaded upon boot to store your data. It resembles TAILS in a way, although it doesn't use a partition for saves but files. The save files can be encrypted and stored anywhere you like. Fatdog's filesystem is AUFS, a stackable filesystem. The Fatdog developers go in depth about AUFS and SFS in their documentation, including how save files work, so if you're interested in that check the link below.
Fatdog uses the same packaging as Slackware, but isn't based on Slackware, so compatibility isn't 100% guaranteed. It also supports squashfs packages. If you don't find a package yourself, you can obviously compile it.
When you first boot into Fatdog, you'll be prompted with the boot menu. It uses GRUB, and features a plethora of options, like disabling specific GPU drivers, booting with support for LVM, loading a save file, or booting without a GUI. After choosing your favorite boot option, you'll be greeted with OpenBox, if you chose the GUI variant.
Fatdog's default DE with OpenBox
The first thing one should to is to go through the quick setup. It can be launched from the desktop or the control panel. It'll prompt you to set up your locale, keyboard layout, the hardware clock, which by default is set to the local timezone to be compatible with Microsoft Windows, but you can change it to UTC, and the timezone. Afterwards, it'll prompt you to restart your X server.
Fatdog has many preinstalled programs, the default terminal being urxvt and the default browser is Seamonkey. While looking in the menu, in the internet category, I saw Mozilla Firefox and spyware from Google. I instantly thought, why would they install such spyware, but after clicking around I found out Firefox and Chrome are not installed but it prompts you to download them via their package manager, Gslapt.
The default repositories in the package manager use HTTP, although that can be easily changed to HTTPS via Gslapt. You have to go to edit > preferences > sources and edit the sources. All packages are signed using GPG, but HTTPS is still a good added security measure, because in the past as we've seen exploits that were possible only because of HTTP, even if the packages were signed.
It features LibreOffice, GIMP, CUPS, FTP clients, Geany, and more. If you like using GUI programs, you can do your workflow in libre programs without any issue. There are also a few games installed, namely Xinvaders 3D, Pipe Panic, gtktetris and Armagetron Advanced. It also features a clipboard manager, Glipper-lite, so don't copy your passwords into the clipboard, or don't forget to clear it.
Fatdog auto logins you by default, to be convenient, as root. The developer's stance on this will be put below. I personally disagree with them, and think you should use unprivileged user accounts. Fatdog obviously doesn't stop you from doing that if you wish. All network programs run under a non privileged user called "spot," which has very limited access. If you do compile a program which needs network access, this won't be the case and you'll quickly open holes in your operating system, which is why you shouldn't run things as root.
Before you say that logging in as root is "unsafe", please ask yourself - "unsafe" from who? Remember this is a home desktop computer we are talking about, not a shared server in large networked environments. In this context, logging in as non-privileged user only protects you from one person - yourself (ie from your own mistakes). It also protects you from doing exactly one thing: destroying the system.
Fatdog's developers about root
Fatdog is definitely an interesting Puppy GNU/Linux alternative, and it's good for anyone who wants a portable, very lightweight GNU/Linux distribution, featuring all the tools they need, especially if you're familiar with the Slackware packaging. If you like terminal programs, like me, you can definitely replace the default Fatdog ones, but it'd be quite a task. Aside from that, Fatdog has interesting concepts. If they appeal to you, please do give it a try and show the developers support.
