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Linux From Scratch 6.0 Released
Bubblehead writes "The Linux From Scratch community is pleased to announce the release of
LFS 6.0. This major revision of the book includes a number of major
package upgrades, including GCC 3.4.x, Linux kernel 2.6.8.1, and the
Udev software package, allowing for dynamic creation of device nodes.
The text has also been vastly re-written for improved readability."
I guess there could be multiple possible reasons. For example, it's good for learning (some parts) of how does your system work, or it could be good for "power users", or as you mentioned, for embedded systems or you could be a professional and just know how to design a good system. I'm sure there are much more reasons why someone would use systems like LFS.
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
The reason for LFs's existance is for learning. People who are wanting to learn the internal workings of a linux system would be well served by this distro/book. Its an excellent way to see how every aspect of a linux system runs and is built. You build every stage of it, and its fun to boot.
As a distro, LFS probably isn't what most people want. If you want to compile from source, then gentoo is probably the way to go.
On the other hand, I dont think there is a better way than LFS for learning Linux and what all the different packages are for. It is a good way for linux newbs (but probably not computer n00bs) to learn about their new OS. Once that's done, head over to an easier-to-maintain distro such as debian.
Yet there is a group of people who do this.
I knew one couple who had actually had their own house build according to their design but the husband who was my collegue couldn't understand why I didn't like the read made windows desktop.
LFS is the most extreme way to get a linux system unless your firstname rhymes with a popular OS. What does it do? Well nothing except really show you what makes up a system. It won't teach you anything about programming but it will teach you a lot about just how complicated a modern computer system really is. The amount of code needed to create even the most basic system is insane. Start adding stuff like a grahpical desktop and you might start to have a better understanding of how all the software packages work together to make your desktop.
It is like stripping a car engine. Doing it doesn't make you a better driver but it can be a rewarding learning experience nonetheless.
Some of us are not satisfied to work with blackboxes. Just like those people who want THEIR house to be THEIR house LFS allows you total control over your system. Of course most users use a "regular" distro for their actual work but just maybe they have come to understand their systems a little better.
But to answer your question directly. If you got to ask why then it is not meant for you. It is like asking why people climb mountaints. Because they are there.
MMO Quests are like orgasms:
You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.