linux is really just a kernel, it doesnt make sense to say its bloated. The desktop environment (KDE, GNOME, or XFCE) could be, but bloated usually describes overun software packages. Fortunately Linux is a modular system so the components are interchangeable. Linux is about choice, the user can choose a distro like DSL or the Knoppix DVD. BTW Knoppix, although being probably the most bloated distro, performs incredibly fast in my experience! B)