Tools for Linux Optimization: Making your System Run Faster and Lighter

Linux has become great because of one simple fact. You can customize it as much or as little as you want to. That is good news for anyone who really loves their system because it means that you can make your system run as lean as possible. Today, we are going to look at some of the best applications to help you do just that.

Prelink is an application that exists only to speed up other applications boot time. If you find that your system performs well, unless it has to open a new program, then Prelink can help to speed things up. It will reduce your load time for opening an appliction by partially pre-opening your commonly used applications. That way you do not have to wait for the whole load, just a partial load.

Thunar is a file manager. Granted, you already have one of those. The odds are that it is pretty big. One way to reduce the lag to your system is to run with a smaller file manager. This puts the focus of the system resources to searching through the files. Instead of worrying about opening the application to search the files. Before you go swapping it out, just be sure that Thunar is smaller. There are a few that are about the same size. If you are in that category, it may be best to stay with what you have.

If you use Linux as a server, then you probably will not have too much of an issue with booting the system. If you use it as a desktop, particularly on an older machine, then you may notice an absymal boot time. Sure, you could just go and get a soda while the system boots, but you won't always be thirsty. If you want a less patient solution then consider Parallelize. This software was developed by IBM, and comes with some serious install instructions that you need to read before you try to install the software.

Now that you know what applications can help you to speed things up, you can enjoy your speedy system. Just be sure to only use the applications that you need. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.