Hello all. I'm a n00b to linux.

I have a long history of using computers going back to when I was 3 years old. I grew up with DOS command lines, so I enjoy using Linux. I need some help however.

I have used Mandrake 9.0 for a few months now... and I would like to take the next step in my linux career.

I would like to set up my box in a minimalistic fashion, but I need some help

Here is how I would like to run my box with 4 scripts

STARTUP
login: Me
Pword: *****
Welcome
$ ./ethernet0.sh <--- Start up primary internet ethernet card
$ ./ethernet1.sh <--- Start up internal network ethernet card
$ ./firewall.sh <--- Start up a firewall over the eth0... eth1 should not be firewalled
$ ./inetsharing.sh <--- Start up internet sharing so internal network can use the web

Could someone help me start from absolute scratch (aka format b4 installing this linux kernal). The only processes I want running are the ones that are absolutely necessary.

Why do you want to have to run these scripts to get online? it's pretty trivial to make it happen automatically....

and if you do want to start from scratch... http://www.linuxfromscratch.org

Thanks for the site chris... though it might be a bit advanced for me I'll certainly take a look.

As for why I want scripts to start up instead of doing them automatically is because I would actually prefer to dispense with the scripts as well and do EVERYTHING by hand. I would like total control over the system because I am still learning linux and believe I should only use automations after I know how to do things manually.