Help Guides
Cross Linux From Scratch
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2009-04-15 21:48"Cross Linux From Scratch (CLFS) is a project that provides you with step-by-step instructions for building your own customized Linux system entirely from source.
Why would I want a CLFS system? ¶
Many wonder why they should go through the hassle of building a Linux system from scratch when they could just download an existing Linux distribution. However, there are several benefits of building CLFS. Consider the following:
CLFS teaches people how to build a cross compiler
Building CLFS teaches you how to make a cross-compiler and the necessary tools, to build a basic system on a different architecture. For example you would be able to build a Sparc toolchain on an x86 machine, and utilize that toolchain to build a Linux system from source code.
CLFS teaches people how to utilize a multilib system
CLFS takes advantage of the target system's capability, by utilizing a multilib capable build system.
CLFS teaches people how a Linux system works internally
Building CLFS teaches you about all that makes Linux tick, how things work together and depend on each other. And most importantly, how to customize it to your own tastes and needs.
Building CLFS produces a very compact Linux system
When you install a regular distribution, you often end up installing a lot of programs that you would probably never use. They're just sitting there taking up (precious) disk space.
CLFS can be built from most Unix Style Operating Systems
You can build CLFS even if you don't have Linux running. Our build instructions have been tested to build from Solaris and the BSDs.
CLFS is extremely flexible
Building CLFS could be compared to a finished house. CLFS will give you the skeleton of a house, but it's up to you to install plumbing, electrical outlets, kitchen, bath, wallpaper, etc. You have the ability to turn it into whatever type of system you need it to be, customized completely for you.
CLFS offers you added security
You will compile the entire system from source, thus allowing you to audit everything, if you wish to do so, and apply all the security patches you want or need to apply. You don't have to wait for someone else to provide a new binary package that (hopefully) fixes a security hole. Often, you never truly know whether a security hole is fixed or not unless you do it yourself.
What can I do with my CLFS system? ¶
A by-the-book CLFS system is fairly minimal, but is designed to provide a strong base on which you can add any packages you want. See the CBLFS and BLFS projects for a selection of commonly used packages."
Comparison of platform virtual machines
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2009-03-30 16:08"The table below compares basic information about platform virtual machine (VM) packages."
Knowing Knoppix Open-Content Textbook
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2009-02-18 20:24"Knowing Knoppix is a guide to the Knoppix Linux distro for the complete beginner
Knoppix is an astoundingly clever product. It runs Linux completely from a CD or DVD. There is no need to install. It bypasses all the software already installed on your PC or laptop and automatically detects the hardware in your computer (subject to suitable hardware). When you've finished using Knoppix, simply restart. Your computer will return to your regular system, and it will behave as if nothing has happened. Knoppix is Free Software and open source under the terms of the GNU General Public Licence (GPL).
This beginner-friendly book is designed to help with these situations:
* You can't start Windows! Disaster? Possibly not. It is often possible to rescue files using Knoppix from crashed Windows computers, even when Windows cannot be started. This guide takes you step by step through the process.
* You are curious about Linux, and you want to discover what all the fuss is about.
* You want a useful guide to help you get started with Knoppix."
Ubuntu CategoryLive Wiki
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2008-12-13 02:54"List of pages in CategoryLive
1. BootFromCD
2. BurningIsoHowto
3. IsoBrennen
4. LiveCD
5. LiveCD/FAQ
6. LiveCD/Persistence
7. LiveCdRecovery
8. RecoveringUbuntuAfterInstallingWindows
List of pages with "Live" in the Title
1. CategoryLive
2. How to install Ubuntu on MacBook Air using live CD
3. How to install Ubuntu on MacBook using live CD
4. IndonesianHowToRemasterLiveCD
5. KdenliveSVN
6. LiveCD
7. LiveCD/FAQ
8. LiveCD/Persistence
9. LiveCDCustomization
10. LiveCDCustomization/6.06
11. LiveCDCustomizationFromScratch
12. LiveCDCustomizationHowToBr
13. LiveCDPersistence
14. LiveCd
15. LiveCdFaq
16. LiveCdRecovery
17. MythTV/Download/Dapper/Live
18. MythTV/Download/Edgy/Live
19. MythTV/Download/Feisty/Live
20. MythTV/Install/Live/Backend
21. MythTV/Install/Live/Backend_Frontend
22. MythTV/Install/Live/Base/Backend
23. MythTV/Install/Live/Base/Feisty+/Backend
24. MythTV/Install/Live/Base/Feisty+/Partitioninfo
25. MythTV/Install/Live/Base/Frontend
26. MythTV/Install/Live/Dapper/Repositories
27. MythTV/Install/Live/Edgy/Repositories
28. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/ApplySynaptic
29. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Backend
30. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Backend_Frontend
31. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Config_BE
32. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Config_BE_S
33. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Config_pop_BE
34. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Frontend
35. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Hardware/FE_quicklogin
36. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Hardware/Video_ATI
37. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Hardware/Video_Nvidia
38. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Hardware/Video_Restricted
39. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Mysql_pop_BE
40. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/NTP
41. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/OpenSSH
42. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/Plugins
43. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/WhatNext
44. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/WhatNext_BE
45. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/WhatNext_FE
46. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/WhatNext_S
47. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/XFS
48. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty+/mythfilldatabase
49. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty/Repositories
50. MythTV/Install/Live/Feisty/Update
51. MythTV/Install/Live/Frontend
52. MythTV/Install/Live/Gutsy/Backend_Frontend
53. MythTV/Install/Live/Gutsy/MCC
54. MythTV/Install/Live/NTP
55. MythTV/Install/Live/OpenSSH
56. MythTV/Install/Live/Update
57. MythTV/Install/Live/XFS
58. RemoteConnectionUbuntuLiveCD
59. WindowsLiveMessenger
60. kdenlive"
Ubuntu InstallCDCustomization
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2008-12-13 02:52"The process of customizing or "remastering" Ubuntu install CDs is not especially complex, but it is a little tedious and finicky. This page documents all the problems you might find; if it doesn't, please edit it!
The Ubuntu install CD (since Ubuntu 6.06, the 'alternative install' or 'server' CD) has three main parts: a boot-loader (ISOLINUX on AMD64/x86 systems, yaboot on PowerPC) and its configuration, which starts everything up; debian-installer (also known as d-i), which in this case is really a specialized miniature Ubuntu system; and a Debian-style repository structure, which is what takes up all that space on the disk in the directories "pool" and "dists". Building a new CD may involve modifications to all three parts."
Ubuntu LiveCDCustomization
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2008-12-13 02:48"How to Customize the Ubuntu Desktop CD
You may wish to customize the Ubuntu Desktop (live) CD to:
* show off a particular application
* localize to a certain language
* remove software packages
* add software packages
* update software packages
* change system defaults (theme, icons, desktop background, panels, browser homepage, etc)
IconsPage/warning.png This guide is for the Desktop/Live CD"
Debian Pure Blends
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2008-12-06 01:16"Debian Pure Blends - in short Blends if used clearly in the Debian internal context which makes "Pure" and "Debian" obvious - which were formerly known as Custom Debian Distributions (this name was confusing because it left to much room for speculation that this might be something else than Debian) try to provide a solution for special groups of target users with different skills and interests. Not only do they provide handy collections of specific program packages, but they also ease installation and configuration for the intended purpose.
Debian Pure Blends are not forks from Debian. As the new name says clearly they are pure Debian and just provide a specific flavour. So if you obtain the complete Debian GNU/Linux distribution, you have all available Debian Pure Blends included."
Debian Live Manual
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2008-09-04 08:03"The main goal of this manual is to serve as a single access point to all documentation related to the Debian Live project. It does not include end-user documentation for using a Debian Live system."
Softpanorama University Minimalistic Linux Distributions Links
Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2007-11-18 07:12"With the commercialization of Linux increasing rapidly and the divide between Free and pay-for offerings widening, minidistributions reminds us about the "good old days" of Linux distributions.
The number of large full-scale distributions for Linux is too big and they are too bloated and complex to understand. Red Hat is bloated pig that is not that different from Microsoft Windows. It is just incomprehensible and can be used only the way Microsoft Windows is used: installing and periodically patching the distribution. Forget about the fact that it is open source. It just does not matter. I am convinced that Red Hat is harmful for educational purposes because of excessive complexity.
Therefore I decided to keep concentrate on this page on minimalist Linux distributions only. Most material is not current so you need to use it as a starting point for your own search on the net ;-)."
Custom Debian Distributions
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2007-10-27 02:58"This paper is intended for people who are interested in the philosophy of Custom Debian Distributions, and the technique that is used to manage those projects. It is explained in detail why these are not forks from Debian, but reside completely inside the Debian GNU/Linux distribution, and which advantages can be enjoyed by taking this approach. The concept of meta-packages and user role based menus is explained. In short: This document describes why Custom Debian Distributions are important to the vitality and quality of Debian."
