source: prologue/common/foreword.xml@ 73b79203

Last change on this file since 73b79203 was bf8c11f, checked in by Jim Gifford <clfs@…>, 19 years ago

r627@server (orig r625): jim | 2005-10-31 12:59:34 -0800
Import of Cross-LFS Book

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1<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?>
2<!DOCTYPE sect1 PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook XML V4.4//EN"
3 "http://www.oasis-open.org/docbook/xml/4.4/docbookx.dtd" [
4 <!ENTITY % general-entities SYSTEM "../../general.ent">
5 %general-entities;
6]>
7
8<sect1 id="pre-foreword">
9 <?dbhtml filename="foreword.html"?>
10
11 <title>Foreword</title>
12
13 <para>My adventures in Linux began in 1998 when I downloaded and
14 installed my first distribution. After working with it for a while, I
15 discovered issues I definitely would have liked to see improved upon.
16 For example, I didn't like the arrangement of the bootscripts or the way
17 programs were configured by default. I tried a number of alternative
18 distributions to address these issues, yet each had its pros and cons.
19 Finally, I realized that if I wanted full satisfaction from my Linux
20 system, I would have to build my own from scratch.</para>
21
22 <para>What does this mean? I resolved not to use pre-compiled packages
23 of any kind, nor CD-ROMs or boot disks that would install basic
24 utilities. I would use my current Linux system to develop my own
25 customized system. This <quote>perfect</quote> Linux system would then
26 have the strengths of various systems without their associated
27 weaknesses. In the beginning, the idea was rather daunting, but I
28 remained committed to the idea that a system could be built that would
29 conform to my needs and desires rather than to a standard that just
30 did not fit what I was looking for.</para>
31
32 <para>After sorting through issues such as circular dependencies and
33 compile-time errors, I created a custom-built Linux system that was
34 fully operational and suitable to individual needs. This process also
35 allowed me to create compact and streamlined Linux systems which are
36 faster and take up less space than traditional operating systems. I
37 called this system a Linux From Scratch system, or an LFS system for
38 short.</para>
39
40 <para>As I shared my goals and experiences with other members of the
41 Linux community, it became apparent that there was sustained interest
42 in the ideas set forth in my Linux adventures. Such custom-built LFS
43 systems serve not only to meet user specifications and requirements, but
44 also serve as an ideal learning opportunity for programmers and system
45 administrators to enhance their Linux skills. Out of this broadened
46 interest, the Linux From Scratch Project was born.</para>
47
48 <para>This <emphasis>Linux From Scratch</emphasis> book provides
49 readers with the background and instruction to design and build custom
50 Linux systems. This book highlights the Linux from Scratch project and
51 the benefits of using this system. Users can dictate all aspects of
52 their system, including directory layout, script setup, and security.
53 The resulting system will be compiled completely from the source code,
54 and the user will be able to specify where, why, and how programs are
55 installed. This book allows readers to fully customize Linux systems
56 to their own needs and allows users more control over their
57 system.</para>
58
59 <para>I hope you will have a great time working on your own LFS
60 system, and enjoy the numerous benefits of having a system that is
61 truly <emphasis>your own</emphasis>.</para>
62
63<literallayout>--
64Gerard Beekmans
65gerard@linuxfromscratch.org</literallayout>
66
67</sect1>
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