LinuxQuestions.org - Syncronizing 3 distro's into one design; but how to "manage"/lower livecd ram use?

OK

When testing my 3 versions of nFlux; http://linux.softpedia.com/progMoreB...isX-31789.html

the Debian Squeeze version
is always the best at keeping ram use low during livecd boot.
The Ubuntu 10.04 and Slack versions use slightly over 100MB
while the Squeeze version sails along at 60-80MB!

The buntu/slack versions are slightly bigger(698MB/672MB) than the Debian version(588MB), but I dont think
thats where most of the ram is being used..
Services and such are close to identical between the 3..

Heres comparo:

Debian installed-to-hdd Squeeze nFlux:

Code:

guest@nflux:~$ free

            total      used      free    shared    buffers    cached

Mem:        774456    131720    642736          0      8124      65076

-/+ buffers/cache:      58520    715936

Swap:      2273156          0    2273156

Debian live system at fresh boot: (588MB LiveCD)

Code:

guest@nflux:~$ free

            total      used      free    shared    buffers    cached

Mem:        774436    290524    483912          0      45428    175556

-/+ buffers/cache:      69540    704896

Swap:      2273156          0    2273156

Ubuntu 10.04 installed-to-hdd nFlux

Code:

guest@nFlux:~$ free

            total      used      free    shared    buffers    cached

Mem:        961772    248296    713476          0      62300    117628

-/+ buffers/cache:      68368    893404

Swap:      3123532          0    3123532

Ubuntu live system at freshboot: (698MB LiveCD)

Code:

guest@nflux:~$ free

            total      used      free    shared    buffers    cached

Mem:        767640    561028    206612          0      93028    352436

-/+ buffers/cache:    115564    652076

Swap:      2273156          0    2273156

Slackware current installed-to-hdd nFlux:

Code:

bash-4.1# free

            total      used      free    shared    buffers    cached

Mem:        772884    190736    582148          0      13444      94344

-/+ buffers/cache:      82948    689936

Swap:      2273156          0    2273156

Slackware live system at fresh boot: (672MB LiveCD)

Code:

bash-4.1# free

            total      used      free    shared    buffers    cached

Mem:        772216    557444    214772          0      83696    343012

-/+ buffers/cache:    130736    641480

Swap:      2273156          0    2273156

So, how does one conserve or lower ram usage when a system is made
into a livecd?
And why does the Debian version run at such lower ram?

I really need to get the Slackware version's ram use down
but how?
any help appreciated!