How to build my own Linux Distro?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the process of creating a custom Linux distribution. Participants explore various starting points, tools, and philosophies regarding the development of a Linux distro, addressing both technical and conceptual aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in creating a Linux distro without a programming degree, seeking guidance on where to start.
  • Another suggests that the Linux forums could provide valuable advice on conventions and user expectations for new distros.
  • A participant mentions using SUSE Studio to compile a distro but encounters an error, asking for help in resolving it.
  • There is a critique of the use of SUSE Studio, with a participant arguing that it does not constitute creating a new distro but rather modifying an existing one.
  • Linux From Scratch (LFS) is recommended as a resource for those willing to invest significant time in learning and building a distro from the ground up.
  • A question is posed regarding the unique offerings of the proposed distro compared to existing ones.
  • Another participant suggests customizing an existing distro for specific tasks as a simpler alternative for those not deeply familiar with Linux.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to creating a Linux distro, with differing opinions on the value of using tools like SUSE Studio versus building from scratch with LFS or customizing existing distros.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of detailed error reporting when seeking help, indicating that the discussion may involve varying levels of technical expertise among contributors.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in Linux development, those considering creating their own Linux distribution, and users looking to deepen their understanding of Linux systems.

LinuxMicrosoftMCSA
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Hi,
I'm interested in creating my own distro of Linux. I need help on where I start though. I don't have a programming degree, but I might be able to develop it myself in my off hours if I self-educate. Thank you.
 
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You may find help on the linux forums. There are many things expected of a distro, some by convention alone. There may also be reluctance by users of trying a disro from a new, previously unknown, source. The linux forums can advise you on those questions before you get into technical details.
 
Hi, I just heard of SUSE Studio and already compiled my first Linux distro. But I have a problem now. I keep getting an error message saying: "No Data for Home". How do I resolve this so I can test out my new distro?
 
You're going to have to learn to ask better questions: telling us the error message is half the story. The other half is telling us exactly what you were doing when you got this error. (And "running SUSE Studio" is not nearly detailed enough)

Also, I wouldn't consider SUSE Studio as "creating a distro". What it is doing is picking SUSE as a base and then allowing various packages to be included or excluded. Pretty much every distribution does this. When I download and install a new package in Centos, I haven't really created a new distribution.
 
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If you're there for the learning and don't mind picking the hard core path: http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/.
LFS, or Linux From Scratch, can help you accomplish your goal.
It's not a matter of hours at this point, but of weeks, months or even years.
 
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What would your distro provide that others do not??
 
LinuxMicrosoftMCSA said:
Hi,
I'm interested in creating my own distro of Linux. I need help on where I start though. I don't have a programming degree, but I might be able to develop it myself in my off hours if I self-educate. Thank you.

If you want to create something of a minimal distro, in order to use it for some specific tasks without many bells and whistles or other unneeded stuff for you and you're not a programmer or at least, a Linux power user, I'd recommend installing and customizing an already existent distro - there are too many out there to choose from.

On the other hand, if your goal is learning Linux through experimentation - which is very good, I'd recommend going for LFS as @fluidistic says.
 

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