Hey there, ive spent quite a while searching for the right distro and just wanted to hear from others.
Im looking for a distro with the following:

no crap - a linux install that allows me to have a FULLY custom install, eg: kernel modules and software selection
up to date - supports recent kernel and other up to date stuff (like Xorg and alsa)
uses source - no precompiled packages, only install from source
easy to use - the install must be straightforward (possibly even with a pretty GUI). Must be uptodate and stay uptodate with some form of update software. Installing from source must be as easy as ./configure make make install if not easier, there must also be something (maybe a package system) to: solve dependency issues, show you whats installed and make the uninstall one step (opposed to manualy removing files and folders.) Tools (not necessarily with GUI) and help to make configuration easy.

please post if you can think of any distro that has these properties.

You're looking there at Slackware +Swaret or Gentoo, I believe. Maybe even Debian. Or any of their derivatives.

And welcome to LQ

Check http://www.gentoo.org for more info. Gentoo is what you're looking for.

You can use Slackware or Gentoo... they allow control for every little think... They have also not tooeasy installer scripts...

As has been said, Gentoo and Slackware but if you want all that customisation power you will not find one with an easy installation process and you're kidding yourself if you try

Thank you to all of you.
I will install both and see which brings me least hassle.
Thanks again

no crap - you're looking for Gentoo
up to date - any source based distro or Debian Sid
uses source - any source based distro
easy to use - any like Mandrake, but with the above criteria probably no way

Vidalinux could be it.

Migulic.

First, I found debian to be out of date and using .deb precompiled packages, nuff said. I wont be using this.
Second, The Slackware install was a breeze but so much didn't work off the bat, I found myself not doing anything on the computer except making slackware work. Although I have to say that if I didn't have to spend all my time making it work it would be a pretty easy distro. I love pkgtool but thats about it for slackware. I wont be using this.
Third, I am looking into slackware derivatives.
Fourth, Gentoo looks like it could be the answer, I put it off till last because the install apparently takes 6 hours and does not look in anyway easy.
Fifth and final, I am looking into gentoo derivatives, I checked out vidalinux and saw that for the full distro I have to pay, this is not acceptable as I am infact quite poor and could not afford to splash out.

If anybody has any other distros they think qualify or derivatives there of then please post.
I will post about Gentoo and the derivatives I spoke of.

ArchLinux!!!

Arch and Gentoo seem to be what you need, but give Slack a try.

hey all, my last post on this thread.
I have a friend who is very into gentoo, I went right the way over the install and talked to him and all in all gentoo is way too much work (you have to custom compile you you compiler!). If I ever become more savvy with linux and don't find simple things such hard work then perhaps I will switch to gentoo.
I am pleased to announce I am an Arch Linux user. I found it to be even easier than slackware but still be flexible and configurable. I can't wait till Arch reaches 1.0

Just to say, something didnt work with Arch on my laptop and seeing as I had the disks ready, I decided to put in the elbow grease and use slackware. It is actually a good distro. Now I use both