Creating a simple distro?

[version2]

I'm more or less a linux newbie, and I'd like to learn more of the ins and outs of linux and bsd. I'd like to create my own simple linux distro: basically a barebones LAMP with ftp. At one point in the past, I was going to do a fork of FreeNAS with a friend, and now I'm thinking of starting up that idea again, but I'm having trouble finding the source code/and how to build it.

I don't really care what I start off from. My idea is to use other simple distros like FreeNAS, pfSense, or m0n0wall, and pretty much add mysql and ftp, to create a low system resource, very simplistic LAMP server.

Can you point me in any directions? Thanks!

[Smither]

Perhaps look at Linux from scratch? http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/

[version2]

Yeah, I was looking at that. It looks a bit more involved than I can be. :/

[Smither]

Maybe gentoo then? It's very minimal and simple.

[joshiggins]

Have a look at CRUX

CRUX | Main / HomePage

I use it at home for an FTP server. Its got a low footprint, really fast and has a very helpful community, not to mention its great ports system.

I'd have a look at it, a great starting point for your own distro!!
Hope this helps.

[Dapper Dan]

I second Crux. It has taught me more about Linux than any other distro. Ports is fabulous and no distro I've used is even in the same ballpark when it comes to its speed. Crux with IceWM is a blindingly fast combination.