Linux From Scratch

[timboellis]

Many of you may laugh at me with this qquestion but if you do please tell so I do not waste my time.

Short of it is that I am a Windows man as I work with IT all day and know the issues etc., I have tried most of the main Distos including Sabayon the one I liek the best for compatibility and out of the box.

However I knwo very little about linus like I do with Windows, so I was reading up on this LFS is it do able with a newbie like me or not?

How easy would it be to do, not nessaseraly to build a system with all the bells and whistles but just to build one.

The main question that will be asked is "WHY" and the answer hopefully will be "Cos I can".

So any help on this any pointers etc. or do I just give the idea up and forget about it?

Any feedback will be greatly received good, bad or sarcastic I can take it Im thick skined.

[oz]

Linux From Scratch is not necessarily for new Linux users, but some new users can handle it if they are technical minded enough. You would definitely learn a great deal about the inner workings of Linux. In addition, LFS is not a project you can work through quickly, so if you want to be running a distro in a few days, LFS would not be for you. You really should have a separate PC for the construction of LFS.

The best way to find out would be to give it a go and see what you think.

If you should do it, let us know how it goes.

[Dapper Dan]

You might also want to have a look at Crux. It's not as hard as LFS but is harder than Gentoo in my opinion. You get a basic install cd that is also a live cd and you must build your system up from there. Crux has taught me more about the working of Linux better than any other distro possibly with the exception of Slackware.

[jpalfree]

Well, it's not a bad question. It may have been asked before though...

In short, LFS is not generally for beginners. It requires at least a basic knowledge of linux command line.

Though it really is a GREAT way to learn linux. I don't mean to discourage you, it is fun. But I would suggest a different path, try first getting to know one of the major (binary) distributions like: Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, openSUSE, etc... Then when you feel comfortable and can find your way around a linux distro, you can follow the LFS book and build your own (it's pretty much cut and paste).

That's what I did. I first tried SUSE/Mandriva, then LFS, and after LFS, BLFS, then went on to install and love Gentoo.

Hope that helps you decide.

[Freston]

You have to be at least be able to use the common commands in the command line. It is by far not a laughable question, but it may come as a bit of a shock to a Windows savvy that he doesn't have drives anymore. Manual mounting may be difficult enough at first. Command line editing of configuration files, the boot sequence. Heck, I'll bet you wont even get out of vim on your first try... (no one could :-p)

But also, that is not to discourage you. Quite the opposite. Just know that there are more differences than readily apparent from a GUI point of view. I hope I can prevent you from thinking that because you know Windows inside out, that you should be able to access your CD-ROM drive.

Knowing this beforehand improves your chances. You should feel curiosity, not defeat when things don't go the way you want them.




If you decide to go ahead and do it:
Print the LSF manual
Dedicate a machine to it
Have a working internet capable box nearby
Keep notes
And most importantly, have fun!

[timboellis]

Thanks for all your feedback I think I may try Crux fist then work up from there if i can.

But I will install one of the mainsteam Distros on my testbed and then work from there.

[Dapper Dan]

Thanks for all your feedback I think I may try Crux fist then work up from there if i can.

Right there on the cd are detailed directions for how to mount your partitions and install to them. If a lame brain like me can get Crux up and going, you should have no trouble. You don't have to follow it word for word though, for instance, you can use Gparted or Parted Magic to do your partitions rather than using the command line partitioning tools. I've been through the process with Crux 2.2 and Crux 2.3 and ozar has used Crux too, so if you need any assistance, just let us know.

[oz]

You could also consider Rock Linux:

Main Page - RockWiki

It's another build-it-yourself distro that will probably keep you busy for a while.

Enjoy the Linux experience...

oz

[valan]

LFS is great. Definitely not for newbies, though. Not usually a problem if everything goes right, but often (especially on the first build) a problem will arise, and things just might not make enough sense to a beginner how to fix it. And also, LFS doesn't provide you with a gui and all that. LFS is pretty much a barebones build. BLFS adds more things like a gui and useful stuff, but even still there's generally a good amount more you would want. Like already mentioned, it's much better to familiarize yourself with Linux before you attempt LFS. Though, you'll never know how hard (or easy) it is for yourself unless you attempt it.