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The Perfect Distribution?

Posted by Cliff on from the creating-derivative-Linux dept.

Q-tip writes, "After researching the various major distibutions, I have come to the conclusion that none of them really stack up to what I want, so I'm wondering just how much work it would entail to create my own Linux setup from scratch. I imagine it would save quite a bit of time to reuse and heavily modify the startup scripts of another distro, but what else am I overlooking that could be a major hangup? " We've talked about creating Linux distros from scratch but Q-tip is looking to make derivatives of existing distributions. Any helpful suggestions?

1 of 13 comments (clear)

  1. some idle distribution speculation by dlc · · Score: 3

    I have also wanted to create my own distribution for some time now. every distribution i've seen is either lacking something i want/need or doesn't give me enough control over how and what it installs. Slackware comes the closest to providing the kind of control i am interested in; perhaps the best plan is to build on Slackware.

    I think the best use for a custom distribution is in a situation where you envision a large scale rollout, for example when you are going to upgrade or install Linux machines for everyone in your office. In this case, the main advantage would be that you can do all the customizations in advance (non-standard file locations, standardize on applications, customize NFS and NIS, etc). RedHat provides this with their KickStart option, but it's still installing the RedHat distribution, for better or worse.

    My ideal distribution: A custom kernel and a bunch of well-written and well-thought-out Makefiles. It would handle fresh installs as well as upgrades (of the system and of individual packages). It could also possibly allow you to install different kernels -- Hurd anyone? With severla binaries for GCC (Linux, Hurd, FreeBSD, etc) and the preferred kernel, and source for everything, the same install media could handle *BSD, Hurd, or Linux (if you choose Hurd, rather than Linux, for example, the install procedure would compile the packages from the included source using the correct GCC, otherwise it would install the precompiled Linux binaries).
    My mind is a mind that I have come to know,

    --
    (darren)