Many Linux distributions are based on established variants of the free Linux operating system and therefore incorporate proven technology. Increasingly, however, independent Linux derivatives are being developed. These are cropping up mostly for users looking to put slim systems on older hardware. The very young Void Linux [1] hails from Spain, and its second version was just recently released. This distribution is intended as an all-around solution for a broad range of hardware platforms. In addition to its resource-frugal design, "The Void" distinguishes itself with a multitude of newly developed core components that extend into the package management and even the init system.

Void Linux comes in variants for conventional computer systems with 32-bit and 64-bit architectures and for ARM-based computers like the Raspberry Pi. The developers have accommodated the older, ARMv6 design [2] for the ARM distribution. As a result, even first-generation Rasp Pis run easily with Void.

The minimal hardware required for Intel-based systems would be a Pentium 4 computer with just 96MB working memory and 350MB disk space. The RAM and disk space requirements do not increase for 64-bit computers. However, the developers recommend 256MB or 512MB working memory for graphical desktops.

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