In the last weeks, I did invest a lot of time to shrink my (refractasnapshot)isos with the most functions I need myself to work...
I did use 2 ways: refracta base / gnuinos base.
Refracta based small isos work / gnuinos based one don't work but are (a bit) smaller.

A bit seems for people installing full their Linux not important.

For those like I starting fresh with a live iso each time they boot the PC, it can be very attractive.

For this reason I would be very interesting to continue my (successful, using Refracta mini isos) experimentation with GNUinOS and to learn about the wonderfull but not comptatible packaging system on it.

The main problems with GNUinOS was always:
a. no mini-ISO to install online from CLI environment
b. no compatibility with other depositories, only the name of the level (Deadalus for. ex.)
c. unclear what consequences in case you have to complete the installation compiling a/the rest (not being to find at the GNUinOS depository)
d. (how to avoid stuff not beeing completely free and compatible with the GNU needs)
e. what is with testing and experimental branches?

Of course are a. and d. the most important open questions.