I wan to build a new distro based off of an existing one. I want to build a Fedora based distro. I want everything exaclty like it is in Fedora minus their graphics and docs. This will nto be done using LFS. I do not want to go that route. Can I just edit the files on the Fedora Iso's or what can I do. I want to include some extra packages that Fedora does not ship with. These apps are GPL. Please help, I am working on this as a project.

Well. Whitebox Linux appears to be RHEL with different branding (basically, wherever it says RedHat, they changed it to WhiteBox) - new name, new icons, etc.

So yes, it is certainly possible - but you may end up having to check a large number of files.

most probably, u need the source rpms (srpms) and u will be needing to edit the specs and add some new sources.

I do not mind the work. This is not something I am throwning together. This distribution will serve a specific purpose. I feel that the time spent editing the code of Fedora will be better spent than time creating new code that I want to look the same as Fedora and act like it.

For those of you who care. This distro will be made for churches and ministers. So it will have its own graphics and docs. It will also include some Bible study software, church membership software, etc that does not come standard in Fedora.

The kind of stuff I want to figure out is ...ok, once I edit the source in the SRPM iso's, how do I make regular install isos like the difference between RH rpm isos and srpm isos? I want to change the default wallpaper and themes. If anyone has anymore info, please let me know.

It appears you are on the same track as I am. I have some questions if you have the time. I too am making my own distro. The biggest question I have is complicated.if we make our distro from another distro, can we legaly call it ours ? While the GPL might apply were we building from scratch, we are clearly using someone elses groundwork and painting it our color. I addressed this in a previous thread, but I think the answers were more geared towards my building it from scratch. Also, I would like to stay in touch with you so I can track your progress. Perhaps we could compare notes...
-Chase

We will not be the first to do this. I will send you some links of distros that have done this already. All we have to do is remove all copyrighted material for which we do not have an owners consent to use. I plan on contacting developers from RH and Fedora during this process. I will be using the Anaconda installer in my distro and I will be getting in touch with them to find out how to make some modifications I need done.

We should definately keep in touch. My email address is pvols@charter.net

Send me some info on your distro. I will soon (next day or two) be setup on SourceForge and will send you a link my my info.

Well it certainly looks like I've made a new friend. I would love to talk to you more about this anaconda installer biz. This has been the toughest part of my planning phase as I was never really sure how I was going to get the finished product installed. I'll email you.
-Chase

HILLbilly, I am working on almost the same thing. Have you thought about using Knoppix? I am working on Remastering Knoppix 3.3 with Gnomesword and any other bible study software I can find. I found some excellent docs for remastering Knoppix and worked on it over the weekend. I had some minor problems but I think I will get it worked out pretty soon. I just need to get rid of a bunch of programs that I don't want that are taking up space. Don't know how familiar you are with Knoppix but it is Debain based and you can install it to the harddrive. Could you send me an email? I am interested in your project. I would like to know what Bible Study software you are going to be using.

Thanks,
David

Well, I was considering using Fedora because of the graphical installer (Anaconda). Having a live cd feature like Knoppix would be interesting. It would be nice to be able to set up an apt repository when all was finished to keep users up-to-date.

I am very familiar with Knoppix. I will have to go back and review their installation and see how user friendly it is. Have you found a way to ad and remove packages and how difficult is it?

I was planning on using BibleTime for the Bible study software.

Check out Gnomesword. I have both installed but I really like Gnomesword a lot. Here is the link to the How to Remaster Knoppix I am using:

http://www.knoppix-std.org/docs/customize.html

I just started with this on Friday and found out that I need to use Knoppix 3.3 or earlier. Knoppix 3.4 did not work due to some configuration changes. Adding software to it is fairly simple with apt-get. The How-To walks you through coping everything over to a partition and getting it setup to customize. Then you chroot in and you can start apt-geting whatever software you want. My first attempt failed because I need to remove a lot of programs that I don't want.

For me, this seems like a good option. I like the idea of being able to carry my Bible program and Bible study software with me on a Live CD distro. But also like the option to do a harddrive install.

Dave

Forgot one thing, you can compile and install .deb with no problems also. I hope to get to work on it again sometime this week. Once I get a working test copy I will post here or send you an email. What other Bible Study software are you wanting to add? I am looking for some to add also.

Thanks,
Dave

I have conferred with my team and it looks like we have definately decided to go with Fedora as our base. I would be glad to have you involved with our team if you wish. We are trying to take over the project space of an old project on sourceforge. For now, if you want to keep tabs on our project, go to http://www.mindshatter.com for details.

Sounds good. I will be checking out the website.

Dave

I have compared all of the installation program choices, and as far as I can tell, Anaconda and Knoppix take the cake. I think I am going to go with knoppix though. If I can script out the hard drive mapping and a file transfer, the hardware detect is superior. After trying these two on several machines, the knoppix just seems to detect more. It is also incredibly friendly to people who don't know anything about installation choices, since it doesn't ask you anything. Which one did you decide on Hillbilly, still going with anaconda ?
-Chase

Yes. We think that since we are going for a target audience of churches, ministers, and Christians in general; this is our best base. The Anaconda install gives flexability over where to install and if partitoning is needed, it is pretty easily done.

There is alos a lot of Redhat and Fedora bases info on the net if people need to research help. So, we think this will be easier for our target.