Originally Posted by http://kernel-seeds.org/working.html

Getting started:

Having worked with numerous kernel seed users as time has gone on, I realize that I need to be clear about a few things at the outset.
1. Kernel seeds are not bootable, "out of the box". They have to be configured by yourself in order to do anything. You have to add your list of hardware devices to the seed and compile it. To get the information, execute the following commands: lspci -n, and cat /proc/cpuinfo. Keep that information handy. You'll be using it soon.

2. A properly configured seed is only the beginning. There are numerous programs that require other settings to be turned on. For instance, iptables requires that most of the settings under Networking options --> Network packet filtering framework have to be turned on or made into modules before it can function. Clearly, setting up iptables is beyond the scope of just getting the machine up and running. In some cases, such as with my laptop, I haven't added anything beyond the basics. In others, I've had to do some retuning after things get running the right way.

Working with kernel seeds is like working with any other kernel with one exception: with kernel seeds, you are provided a stable base upon which you build a functional computer. There is no guesswork as far as the basics are concerned. Kernel seeds are my sane make defconfig for the real world.