Really want to learn Linux ... When I get a minit!

[elija]

I currently run Mepis 6.5 AMD64 on my desktop and have Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Server
running on both my real server and my test rig. I also have Mepis 6.5 32 bit
running on my laptop.

I know a LOT more about Linux than when I started out, but still feel that I spend
way to much time flailing around in random pits of ignorance.

My test rig is plenty good enough to run any distro so my question is... (finally)

What is the best distro for getting down and dirty and learning the OS properly?

[RobinVossen]

Id say, Gentoo or LinuxFromScratch
Though you will need Google alot then.

Hope you;ll get it soon enough..

[Digit]

excellent suggestions there by robinvossen.

i say installing slackware even just once is utterly mandatory. learned so much from doing that (and not just about linux. ... try lingering for a moment on the screen that shows file system types).

in about three seconds i'm going to be installing Sabayon, which is Gentoo based, and from what i have seen looking around their website... there is lots to learn, and lots taught.

"random pits of ignorance" lol. random... there aint no such thing.

[RobinVossen]

Well, Gentoo has a Great Documatation. In my eyes WAY better then the one from Arch, Slack, Debian, Fedora and CentOS.
Since its just pure gold. The Wiki is great. the portage.gentoo.com is great.
Portage is Gold..
Then again Gentoo has bad things.
- Compiling Takes alot of time.
- SourceFiles + CompileSpace takes Space of your HD.

But then again. You Really learn alot.
In the how tos they say eg: enter tar xvf MyTar.tar And then they have commented (x = extract v = verbose f = ?? (I forgot at the moment :P) anywho thats not the point.

Check Gentoo out.
Or Sabayon if you want a FullVersion of Gentoo. (I prefer Gentoo since I always use xfce and conky and Lightweight stuff, not Beryl )

[elija]

Well Linux from scratch looks a bit too scary at the moment. So from comments
here and research on the Web, I have decided to give Gentoo a go.

It won't be for a few weeks as I figure I'll need a weekend free.

Wish me luck. I think I'll need it

[RobinVossen]

Well, if you have a PC with Inet you'll be fine.
If your PC is a 32bit device with a nvidia Graphical Card and a Wire for the inet its really not that hard.

Remember, links -g for a graphical Webbrowser in Console.
remember the wiki of Gentoo. the link is not on the mainpage!
And, remember. This installation comes without KDE or Gnome.
So you might want to look into that first.
Id go for xfce everytime I install Gentoo.

If you get any problems during the installation links -g www.linuxforums.org and help is on the way

GoodLuck! (Something is changed in the newest version of gentoo but they didnt change it in the Docs. So if your Grub looks f***ed up. Thats the problem.

It says it has to look the Splash Image from /something/something/splash
but the image is located in /something/splash.

Well I think you can make it..
Cheers.

[Agent-X]

I still don't get it.
What is the real point in using Linux From Scratch?

I can only see learning how security in Linux works as a main point.
Otherwise, I don't see much to messing with Linux from Scratch.

[RobinVossen]

Lots of people have that.
Well LFS is for the one who wants to have a Core System.
and want exacly to know whats going on.
Eg. when you build a Small PC (mini-ITX) to a Gaming Console (with xmame for example).
Then you can best use LFS since you can put everything on a extremly small Disk. And the Boot is Quick since it doesnt look stuff you dont use. (eg. Ethernet)
But, then again.
But Normaly Id go Quicker for Gentoo, Crux, CoreLinux or Debian-netInstall

[Digit]

im currently placed somewhere between noob and intermediate in my eyes, and even i'm thinking ahead to what i'll be going for when i decide to go for a LFS system. i see the benefits of having YOUR OWN system. the next step beyond LFS is like... an OSFS. from kernel up. after that your playing with electronics making your own hardware. ... though... it could all just be masturbation. ... or an everlasting foreplay.

[RobinVossen]

Well, this is offtopic?
I think you should never make your own hardware. Since you cant make it asgood as a company. I know 100% sure you cant make a better Processor then a Company.
and if you rewrite the entire Kernel from scratch you write your own Operating System.
Then its not linux anymore and you cant run Linux progs on it at start. So, BLFS is the most you get to making your dream come true.

But this is turning in a Coffee Chat, lets to back ontopic