Hi,

I'm relatively new to the Linux community, but since I first came across Linux I tried several Linux distributions. Most of them were slackware based. However none of the distributions really suited my needs.

Now I have the idea to build my own custom Linux installation. Since I'm not that experienced with Linux I'm wondering what is the best way to go arround?

I'd like to start of with a basic Linux installation, with all the prerequisites for installing basic software, already installed. On top of that I'd like to add my own Window Manager and software of choice.

What do you consider to be the best starting point? Download the Slackware CD's (or do I need only need CD1?) and go on frome there. Or is there a premade distro that installs all the nesacery components to build my own distro. Zipslack perhaps?

I'm looking forward to hear your advice!

Cheers, Michael

Hi and welcome to LQ!

In sort of answer to your question, it all depends on what your needs are. A basic Slackware installation has quite a bit of software included, and there are plenty of slackware packages available too -- especially at Linux Packages. In addition you can often compile extra software you need from source code (not as hard as it sounds, except for stuff that depends on Gnome ). Disc 1 has everything in the distro except KDE (and some other stuff I think), although even if you are using another window manager installing KDE enables you to run KDE apps in, say Fluxbox or your WM of choice. KDE is on disc 2.

If hard disc space is critical you could try zipslack, or you could also build your own custom slackware style distro by doing a hard disc install of Slax (A live CD version of Slackware that is fully customizable with lots of modules -- the Slax version of slackware packages).

Can you let us know what your specific needs are?

-geo

Hi geo,

thanx for your reply. In fact my needs are quite basic: I want to use my linux for daily use. As I said in my previous post, I've looked into quite some distro's, but in my opinion they were usually quite bloated software-wise (3 different text editors, 3 different word processors, two instant messengers etc. etc.).

So instead of choosing a distro that sort of has the software that I want on my system, and uninstalling unnecasery things, I figured I'd better do a clean Slackware install and add the software myself.

However since I'm no Linux expert, I need to know that the clean installation has everything to install a window manager (i quess it will xfce) and different software (openoffice, firefox, gaim, the gimp etc.)

So hence the question: is there a ready-made basic Slackware distro or could you hint me on what to install from the latest Slackware release?

Hope that makes it more clear.

Cheers, Michiel

PS I know Slax and I'm thinking of using the popcorn edition as a HDD install, is that wise?

Ok I see what you are after now. Although having twelve text editors and six email programs won't degrade performance at all, you are in a sense wasting space even having them installed (though the amount of space they take up is pretty minimal). I'm a bit of a neatness freak myself as far as excess packages go, although I definitely love the choices that six email programs and twelve text editors gives me. (I've been through a bunch of text editors and now I like the ultrasimple leafpad that I got from Linux Packages as a slackware package.) One thing you might do is install slackware and at the point where you pick "select" on the setup menu, choose the "menu" option -- this will automatically select the required packages, so you don't accidently not pick something you need just because you don't know what it is, and then it will give you a choice of the rest. And for each package there is a short description of what it is, and if you don't want it you won't install it. The good thing about using the slackware package selection routine in this way is that if you ever find that you need something later you can use pkgtool or installpkg to install what you are missing from the cd.

Also there is a good introduction to Slackware available here -- nice to have some explanation of the install procedure handy while doing the install. And good overall documentation of the distro.

As for using Slax for a harddrive install, there is probably no major reason not to, although there was some back and forth on that topic at the slax forum you might want to read.

Honestly though, unless you are using old or resource limited hardware, a typical Slackware install with Flux or xfce will be super fast. I use Slackware 10.2 with Fluxbox on an IBM thinkpad and it flies.

Hope that helps,
-geo

Yep, use the expert mode then installing and only choose the things you want.
If you want the absolute bare min, then only select the A set and then don't install anything necessary from it.
I built a 128M slack system running from a CF card once using just the A set and had room to spare.

I really don't want to stir up the pot here, but just thought I'd voice my thoughts.

In order to get a nice minimal Gnome system I do a Debian Sarge base install, then apt-get my way to just what I need.

I haven't tried Slackware myself, but this gives me a nice minimal desktop, and extra programs are just an apt-get or a Synaptic away.

So why am I here if I'm a Debian user? I have a spare partition and have heard plenty of good things about Slackware ...

Hi,

I would suggest that you read some good on-line reference. Several good ones in my sig. If you get some background information the install/maintenance will go easier.

I would suggest a full install at this time. You can trim at a later date. That is if you have hard disk space. As for the window manager or environment, you will choose initially at install. You can later change the window manager or environment.

If you have a good link then by all means, download the cds'. You will need install cd1 and install cd 2. You could support PV for the Slackware by purchase of the cd box set at;

http://www.slackware.com/

As a noob you should learn some terminology! Distro is short for distribution. For one to build a distro from scratch can be an enlightened experience. If you want this road then try;

lfs (linux from scratch);
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/

To build a system installation for a Slackware linux distribution is what I think you mean.

Zipslack is intended to allow a user to experiment with Slackware and to see if Slackware is the distro they would like to use. Sure people use it as a basic install but I really prefer to custom my Slackware installation.

On LQ we do have a spell check option for posting.

BTW, welcome to Slackware!