Ignore:
Timestamp:
Jul 15, 2006, 3:21:48 AM (18 years ago)
Author:
Jeremy Utley <jerutley@…>
Branches:
clfs-1.2, clfs-2.1, clfs-3.0.0-systemd, clfs-3.0.0-sysvinit, master, systemd, sysvinit
Children:
07bbf3a
Parents:
32f1da4
Message:

Update to Foreword by Jeremy, proofread by Karen

File:
1 edited

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  • BOOK/prologue/common/foreword.xml

    r32f1da4 rb642d80  
    1111  <title>Foreword</title>
    1212
    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>
     13  <para>The Linux From Scratch Project has seen many changes in the
     14  few years of its existance.  I personally became involved with the
     15  project in 1999, around the time of the 2.x releases.  At that time,
     16  the build process was to create static binaries with the host system,
     17  then chroot and build the final binaries on top of the static ones.</para>
    2118
    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>
     19  <para>Later came the use of the /static directory to hold the initial
     20  static builds, keeping them separated from the final system, then
     21  the PureLFS process developed by Ryan Oliver and Greg Schafer,
     22  introducing a new toolchain build process that divorces even our initial
     23  builds from the host.  Finally, LFS 6 bought Linux Kernel 2.6, the
     24  udev dynamic device structure, sanitized kernel headers, and other
     25  improvements to the Linux From Scratch system.</para>
    3126
    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 CLFS system for
    38   short.</para>
     27  <para>The one "flaw" in LFS is that it has always been based on a x86
     28  class processor.  With the advent of the Athlon 64 and Intel EM64T
     29  processors, the x86-only LFS is no longer ideal. Throughout this time,
     30  Ryan Oliver developed and documented a process by which you could
     31  build Linux for any system and from any system; by use of
     32  cross-compilation techniques.  Thus,  the Cross LFS project was born.</para>
    3933
    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 CLFS
    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>
     34  <para>CLFS follows the same guiding principles the LFS project has
     35  always followed, e.g., knowing your system inside and out by virtue
     36  of having built the system yourself.  Additionally, during a CLFS
     37  build, you will learn advanced techniques such as cross-build toolchains,
     38  multilib support (32 & 64-bit libraries side-by-side), alternative
     39  architectures such as Sparc, MIPS, and Alpha, and much more.</para>
    4740
    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 CLFS
    60   system, and enjoy the numerous benefits of having a system that is
    61   truly <emphasis>your own</emphasis>.</para>
     41  <para>We hope you enjoy building your own CLFS system, and the benefits
     42  that come from a system tailored to your needs!</para>
    6243
    6344<literallayout>--
    64 Gerard Beekmans
    65 gerard@linuxfromscratch.org</literallayout>
     45Jeremy Utley, CLFS 1.x Release Manager (Page Author)
     46Jim Gifford, CLFS Project Co-leader
     47Ryan Oliver, CLFS Project Co-leader
     48Joe Ciccone, Justin Knierin, Chris Staub, Matt Darcy, Ken Moffat,
     49Manuel Canales Esparcia, and Nathan Coulson - CLFS Developers</literallayout>
    6650
    6751</sect1>
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