Linux From Scratch

[OriginalJoeCool]

I think I'm going to give this a try. This site http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/ has detailed instructions on custom-building your own Linux system from scratch. I wonder what the best way to do it would be ... new partition or inside a VM?

 

[Rob Williams]

A VM is fine, but just don't expect a super-smooth time when it comes to figuring out the proper kernel modules to use. When I installed Gentoo to both VMware and VirtualBox a couple of months ago, I had to spend a fair bit of time figuring out which kernel modules would work with my faux hardware.

I never used Linux From Scratch before, and it sounds complicated as hell. Looking forward to seeing how you make out.

 

[Kayden]

I tried using a VM for my first time, it's good if your getting the basics down for gentoo, but like Rob said not everything installs right for the kernel. If you use premade like gnome or something that it should be fine. Hope that helps man.

 

[OriginalJoeCool]

I'm unsure at this point which way I'll go. I need a host Linux system, so I might just create a new partition.

 

[RainMotorsports]

Used to be an ISO for core linux. You compiled the kernel and bootstrapped and all that mess and pretty much had a minimal installation after it was over with.

 

[OriginalJoeCool]

I'd like to compile all the GNU packages myself. I'm doing this for learning as much as customization.

 

[Rob Williams]

It's a great way to learn, that's for certain. Just expect to run into some major roadblocks. There's a lot of software out there that never wants to compile as cleanly as it should.

 

[OriginalJoeCool]

Don't worry! I have plenty of experience wracking my brain over cryptic error messages!

 

[Glider]

I tried LFS once... It was like Gentoo with the dependency hell...

LFS isn't hard if you know what you are doing, just make sure you check dependencies... And it is a hell to keep up to date... There is a reason that package managers were invented

 

[OriginalJoeCool]

Actually, I'll admit I did LFS once before, and was successful. Foolishly, I didn't backup my toolchain, or the system, and decided on a whim to install ArchLinux or something over it. I have a bunch of stuff on the go right now. Not sure if I'll get to this or not.