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Thread ID: 45047 2004-05-07 09:47:00 Creating own Linux distro? Megaman (344) Press F1
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235034 2004-05-07 09:47:00 I have just found the old computer while cleaning out my bedroom. I have also just realised that the Linux (Mandrake 8.0). I've just had a flick through linuxiso (http://www.linuxiso.org) and found some distros, and none of them look particurlarly appealing to me.

Vector: Looks like it needs a bit more RAM than I have
Penut: Liiks a little too crippled
Smoothwall: Dosen't look like what I need

So I am thinking of making a combination of all 3. A cut down version of Vector (for limited RAM computers), combined with Peanut linux (to compensate) and Smoothwall Linux (so it can also function as a firewall, as well as a general-use comp)

But some questions.
How do I get started?
What programming language will I have to learn?
Will it be worthwile?

Thanks :D
Megaman (344)
235035 2004-05-07 09:49:00 pffft. No edit button.

The reason I'm doing this is because Mandrake dosen't work
Megaman (344)
235036 2004-05-07 09:50:00 I'm fully willing to make another distro. But i do know it takes moths of programming, full time. Growly (6)
235037 2004-05-07 10:38:00 Yeah, unless you don't feel like doing much modification, it can take a while! (thats if it all goes smoothly of course) To get around this most distros are made and obtained by a group of people. (stating the obvious a bit there) RobbyW (5226)
235038 2004-05-07 12:17:00 If you want to make a Distro, then remaster Knoppix to start with. Once you've got that, then think about doing something a little bigger.

If Vector is too high-spec'd for your PC, Im assuming you're running a P200 with under 64MB Ram then??

Why not do a Stage-1 Gentoo installation?
It'd take a while (Roughly 3 days on a 200Mhz for a basic X setup) but it'd be quick, that's for sure :-) You really want to use Gtk+ apps, such as the gnome-taskbar and an maybe a low-requirement yet customisable Window Manager... Openbox?
Customise your kernel... Chop out any bits you wont need.
Run only minimal services. If you can avoid Hotplug, ssh, CUPS etc, then do so! Installing them is sweet as, running them will use Ram/SWAP and slow it down.


Hope this gives some insight


Chill.
Chilling_Silence (9)
235039 2004-05-07 12:33:00 Hey Megaman,

Here's a guide I used when I started my hobby on creating my own OS. I still have that hobby but haven't had the time to continue my project. Dropped it for another interest I had and knew I would get further in, I will return to the OS and I'll start fresh this time.

This should hopefully help you get started

www.mega-tokyo.com


Noel Nosivad
Noel Nosivad (389)
235040 2004-05-07 22:18:00 @Chill: I'm running AMD-K5 166mhz, with 32mb of SD-RAM (and I'm to cheap to upgrade it :p)
@Noel: Thanks :)
Megaman (344)
235041 2004-05-07 23:51:00 Then run Gentoo from stage 3 unless you can spare a week without it ;-)

Use DistCC and get a mates PC networked with it and use ClusterKnoppix to cross-compile for your PC.
...Or use Binary packages, but that kills half the point :p

Slackware?


Chill.
Chilling_Silence (9)
235042 2004-05-08 01:23:00 Have a look here http://www.linuxfromscratch.org b1naryb0y (3)
235043 2004-05-08 02:39:00 "kills half the point"? What is the point?

There is no point in "making your own distribution". I doubt if it would even be a pleasant "learning experience".

With a 166 MHz, 32 MB machine, a kernel recompile will take a couple of hours. That's probably all you need to do. That will cut the kernel image down to a reasonable size.

Distribution kernels have everything included to make them "generic". When the non-boot drivers are made into modules, you can get rid of the initrd, and get a much quicker boot. And the kernel uses less memory.

Slackware is very good. That has a selection of kernels and allows you to choose exactly what you install. I used it last when RH7.2 insisted on loading the enormous scripting and GUI support languages and not fitting on the 350MB disk. I grabbed a 1995 version of slackware and that 486-33 (with 32MB ram) was running in a few minutes, without a keyboard or monitor. It's a tape and CDROM server.
Graham L (2)
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