Brit Linux distro CrunchBang calls it quits

The British developer behind the CrunchBang Linux distribution has called it quits.

Philip Newborough, aka @corenominal, posted his decision to stop work on the distro last Friday.

“I’m leaving it behind because I honestly believe that it no longer holds any value, and whilst I could hold on to it for sentimental reasons, I don’t believe that would be in the best interest of its users, who would benefit from using vanilla Debian,” he wrote.

CrunchBang's a Debian variant optimised for the desktop and back in 2009 we rated it a contender for use on Netbooks. Newborough wanted it that way: his aim was to create a lightweight distro at a time few existed.

As he notes in his post, plenty has changed since he first created CrunchBang and Linux users now have a few alternatives from which to choose.

If Reg editorial decisions are any guide, CrunchBang never threatened the upper echelons of the Linux distro hit parade: we've mentioned it only once since 2009, and then in passing. One reason for our reticence could be the slow pace of development: the last version of CrunchBang, v. 11 aka Waldorf, emerged in May 2013 (CrunchBang releases were named for characters from The Muppet Show).

“This has not been an easy decision to make and I’ve been putting it off for months,” Newborough wrote. “It’s hard to let go of something you love.”

But let go he has. And love has been his reward with the thread following his announcement full of warm compliments and thanks. ®