Best small barebones linux distro
 

Hi everybody,
I need to make a computer that does one thing, run an automatic clamav scan on a flash drive when it's inserted into the computer.
Right now I'm trying it with OpenBSD, but Dazuko (the on-access scan module for ClamAV) only works on Linux.
What simple Linux distro would give me the necessary tools for the job (BASH prompt, gcc) and NOTHING ELSE?
Thanks

I like using debian for that sort of thing because I'm familiar with it, it's easy to upgrade as newer releases come out (and they don't come out very often), and it's usually small *enough* for me. Use a netinst iso - those are under 200MB, I think, and the installer will let you choose not to install most everything.

You can also install debian directly into a chroot, so you don't need any iso, using debootstrap or cdebootstrap, but that's mostly for if you already have a running debian system.

If you want/need even smaller than that, there's "damn small linux", which I haven't used but have heard of. linky: http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

I've done a fairly small (~300MB installed) centos install into a chroot, too. I can dig up the details of that if you're interested. I usually prefer debian because I trust Apt more than Yum.

I would second the idea. Debian would run the best (my preference really). But as far as viruses are concerned I can simply delete as regular files under linux (strictly speaking ofpen drives). I believe the same should happen with bsd. Whatever I did not download I simply delete.

Hope this helps.

Debian is a good idea, but if you use Arch you will get an even smaller base install. The most basic system you can get with Linux from Scratch.

I'm gonna give DSL a try.

What's DSL? I thought it was only the phone co's system for broadband over twisted pair.

Damn Small Linux
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

Kind regards