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Today's static storage devices (Flash RAM, etc.) are big. It is already getting hard to find 32MB Flash cards, while the 64MB cards are just marginally more expensive. Cards that can store hundreds of MB are still quite cheap, while the 1 GB barrier has been broken already. It is therefore unnecessary to save space at the expense of functionality, features and ease of development.
RCLinux has been designed to run on systems that are pretty close to the traditional PC architecture, with the exception of storage: instead of using normal hard-drives, RCLinux uses Compact Flash cards or similar. Of course, hard-drives can be added to such a system, for the purpose of storing various temporary data files, but the main storage device is typically a Flash card.
Most existing motherboards should be supported, however an RCLinux system will typically use a micro-ATX board or other miniature formats.
All the usual Intel-compatible CPUs should run out-of-the-box, but RCLinux is geared towards the usage of low-consumption processors such as the mobile CPUs (Pentium M, Mobile Athlon, VIA C3, etc.).
In general, an RCLinux system should use miniature components, with reduced energy consumption. Fanless components are also important for an appliance, since fans and other mobile parts are typically the first ones to fail.
Running RCLinux on a completely fanless, miniature PC (the size of a cereal box or smaller) is normal - this is the situation RCLinux was designed for.
Pre-alpha.
What is currently named RCLinux is a reorganization of an earlier effort. Many things are changing currently, so the project is in flux. Still, it is working and it actually is very stable, rock-solid, on the main development platform (VIA EPIA). However, unless you are a Linux expert, do not expect to be able to install and configure RCLinux easily.
Once installed and configured, though, RCLinux is as good as any other Linux distribution, in terms of ease of use.