Small linux distro with combo Web browser/file manager/word processor-but no X-window
 

Alright, I am wondering if their is a way to hack an existing distro-"Slax-Frodo"-for example, and have a web browser/file manager/word processor but no Xorg, etc?
I'm asking cause I am trying out different distro's on my Toshiba 7000CT(160MB RAM/small 4GB HD, no CDROM, 1 USB(won't boot from), and 1 floppy).
Anyway I have tried several installs including--
DSL-freezes and won't work
Feather-same
DSL-N-worked but couldn't load X-window after install
GoblinX-works but has minor issues
Wolvix-works great-probably go with this one
Crunchbang-lite 8.04-also works great, but uses excessive RAM and fills up 1.8GB + of my 4GB HD
Slitaz-freezes at "cant configure sound card"???
Austrumi-can't find itself
Deli-Linux-can't find itself
PupFlux412-works great but limited packages
I'm running out of options, so that's why I just wanna hack one of them so it will run low-ram and have a small installed footprint.
"Frodo" is cool, but no install and just Midnight Commander...right?
Can Slax be installed??It runs well even with KDE, but can u install it?
I really don't need the X-window, 'cause it's only gonna be used for writing fiction, some light python/perl/Gambas2/html programming, and limited web browsing(optional)
So-what apps can run without X(Xorg,etc)?
Thanks!

If you want "GUI" applications, then you have to have X-Windows or something like it.

There are command-line web browsers and file managers, but I have never heard of a true word-processor that did not use a GUI.

What problem are you trying to solve?----eg: Why do you not want X? (Ah--I see now the part about only 160MB of RAM-----How about simply installing more RAM?)

Far as I know-the RAM is maxed out at 160MB.
Almost all the distro's make the fans run incessantly, sometimes even sitting idle. Crunchbang runs at about 50-100MB RAM, the others about 15-50MB RAM-except when running abiword, etc-then it's about 30-80mb ram for all but crunchbang-which gets to between 50-120mb RAM running apps.
Also-only crunchbang/wolvix/goblinx get close to the 800x600 res I need to "click" buttons, on most the buttons are offscreen and unreachable.
I'm really trying to learn how to use the command-line/terminal, and programming-so no X will help me to learn without "training wheels".
As I said-really I just need to be able to use either a text editor(geany?) or word processor(don't need formating-can do that on the desktop PC), and programming-again I basically need a system that has a text editor that can also do programming, a file manager and other apps not requiring X.
I would like to somehow get a minimal Slackware 12.2 install, or maybe Debian Lenny...as I have a USB CDROM and can trick any distro with the anaconda installer by booting the usb, then when it can't find the source device I unplug the usb, insert the CDROM cable and then it works.
So, I know something will work-it's just putting it together.
Any suggestions are appreciated!Thanks

OK---text editor, not word-processor.....Why not something like nano?

Also, I know nothing about it, but I have the impression that Emacs might be part of what you are looking for.

In general, I would avoid multi-purpose apps---Keep it simple.

Few more.
 

Slackware works ok on my compaq presario 1247 with 196 megs ram. Debian was a little slow (but I probably just needed to customize and recompile the kernel). Currently running Gentoo, but only if you don't mind the compiling time. Originally was running a non X setup but found xorg, icem, pcmanfm, opera (with all plugins), and OpenOffice (might not be able to compile with the 4 gig hd) run acceptable on the system with Slackware and Gentoo (With Gentoo watch the hard drive space and slackware do only a minimal install and add exactly what you want...almost filled up my 3gig hd.)

Slax will install just have to read the manual at their site. If it does everything you want might be the easiest initial choice.

You can tailor most any distribution to your laptop depending on what you want. With current Gentoo installation on my laptop idles at 0.3%CPU usage 50% memory and 0% swap. This is with hal and dbus enabled.