FAQ

Why is there boot setup functionality at all ?
The boot setup functionality allows to add or drop some specific programs in the loading process during the boot. By eliminating the programs you won't need at that specific day, you'll speed up your system, and even more importantly, you can keep the size of the RAM you need low (which is essential for OS's that boot from RAM).

What's the point in having boot setups, even if you use it to add or drop (heavier) programs to increase speed ? Isn't it better to just have lightweight versions of the programs you're using instead (say mplayer2 or xmms instead of the mpv program you're using) ?

Well, no. We have considered that approach, but there are issues with it. First of all, programs are developed by independant coders, so they're not always looking to make it particularly suited for use in a lightweight distro like TAZ (instead they may want to make it for heavier distro's of which the users use computers with very high system specifications (meaning that however heavy they make their program, it won't even be noticed by their users). Sadly, lightweight distro's like ours can't use it then, if all programs (for all individual tasks) would then be loaded, so the only way to still be able to use these programs is by not loading whatever program you won't need at that particular time. Using lighter-weight programs (that have fewer functions, are older/no longer up-to-date, are less convenient in use, ...) can adress this issue while allowing the user to still load every program on his harddisk, but few people will actually want to use such programs.

Can I support TAZ somehow ?
Glad you ask. Yes, you can. You can offer to help out in the coding work (contact us via e-mail).
You can also become a patron via our patreon site if you're not a programmer and can help out this way. Note that the first option will help us out the most at present.