Hi, On Tue, 16 Feb 2016 22:39:51 +0300 mak umba <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi all! I've read parts of LFS, but I know very little about making > distributions overall. That was and to a large extends still is my case ;) > Usually, I use Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, and now trying GuixSD. > The BIG PROBLEM that I have with distributions, is that I often find > myself jumping from one to another because of something that's > available on a distro, and not on others (or because I hate some > distro decisions, such as Debian for using systemd). This is so common that it has a name distro-hoping ... In my case I jumped when the other one started stinking badly for my use case. > I really hate > this, because what I like about the GNU operating system is that I > can choose what packages I want (at least in theory). But this is not > the case with distros... in fact it seems to me that I must use > what's already been packaged, and I can't replace something very > easily. Sure thing, don't we all ;). You have to understand what a distro is ... a custom Linux system. It is build for a particular taste or idea and the people making it try and make sure it all works together. You can do this alone but it requires a lot of knowledge and time and persistence... I read the LFS book myself and started down that rabbit hole a few years ago. Needless to say following a more dozen projects you deem ultimate and the linux kernel and making sure it all works together does not seem very enticing. > I was wondering first of all if it's possible, and secondly > if somebody reading this list is able / wants to work on, what I'd > consider the "ultimate gnu distro". You have to understand that there is no __ultimate__, ultimate is different to different people. > Basically, an "essential" distro > that I can build on-demand with the software that I want, chosen from > a list. It could be something very basic, a list where I can choose > which kernel I want, which init system, and basic tools. I have never used them but what about Gentoo and Slackware??? They seem like the sort of thing you're looking for. > Once I have > an "essential" distro build on demand (with only the basic tools), > then I can install whatever application I want. What if your list of applications/tools does not compile, run or like your kernel that you chose??? What if one of your ultimate applications works great with the kernel you like but another one which is the "top" and latest version hates that kernel and dies every time you try to use the super cool feature... not possible you say??? > But what I'd really > like is a basic distro that I can build (choosing the basic component > from a list). Would this be possible? Is my email clear enough? > Thanks! If you hate systemd and glibc try ArchLinux it is definitely missing glibc and I think systemd as well the installer reminds me of OpenBSD's one and it is a snap to install. If you want to try something really different try a BSD it is quite different from Linux but the base system contains the basic tools you have more help building a custom thing on it. Building packages from source is possible as well as installing binaries, as well as building a package repository. I am talking about FreeBSD but they are all similar in this aspect. Quite naturally you can achieve the same with Linux and a distro of your choice or learn a lot and make more target choices for your ultimate distro, like it happened to me to an extend. This is what books like LFS are good for getting your ideas right and giving you a boost to start. But no I am not interested in building another Linux distro I know what it means and I am weak and choose to suffer from time to time, using my default Xubuntu, for my personal needs due to the barriers of entry (see above) I am not able/willing to jump over. Good luck, whatever you decision might be. George -- http://lists.linuxfromscratch.org/listinfo/lfs-chat FAQ: http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/faq.html Unsubscribe: See the above information page
