This post would fit under several forum categories, so I decided I'd try my luck posting it here rather than misplacing it somewhere else. I am looking for something a little unordinairy:

I am putting together a "Minimal CDRipper", that will only contain the following:
- Minimal compilation of required Linux distribution
- Grip & Digitaldj
- GParted
- Network tool
- MySQL-database
- Lightweight FTP Server (whichever takes least space)
- Whatever Desktop installation that can hold Grip & Digitaldj
- Dependancies for the above

What:
So really, I want to put together a tiny linux distro that has just enough software to run Grip & Digitaldj (automatically ripping and archiving CD's). The MySQL-database is a requirement for Digitaldj, and the FTP server will be used for downloading ripped music.

Why:
I've tried to make minimal installations of Ubuntu, Debian, FreeBSD, CentOS and several other linux-distros with the mentioned installed. Somehow I always end up with the whole system being over 1 GB in space which is ridiculous. I need a packageless linux and absolutely only the required files to run the GUI for Grip and Digitaldj (and shared it through the FTP and archive it with the MySQL), but finding that is much harder than I ever tought it would be.

How:
Any suggestions regarding how I can compile this together to a install CD using as little space as possible would be greatly appreciated, I want to make this because all other CD Ripper options I found so far take enourmous amounts of space and include much more than you really want/need. The problem is that I am not experienced in compiling linux (or doing much linux in general).

WHy not start with a lightweight distro like Puppy or DSL and then strip out what's not needed? Since both fit onto 50mb CDs, they would seem ideal for your needs.

Good suggestion, but I am not only fairly unfamiliar with linux, I actually never removed any package or file without the use of synaptic or file browser... Did anyone ever write a guide on stripping down a linux?

http://www.google.com/search?q=remaster+linux+distro - there are quite a few resources out there to give help on remastering a linux distro. In an extreme case, you may even use Linux From Scratch to build your very own distro entirely from the floor up.

Ok, I have a somewhat stable thing going as I wanted it, but what would you suggest for packing it into an .iso? I tried the Personal Backup Appliance (for VMWare), but the thing doesnt include all packages and settings in the rescue-cd.