From 22a2710c37f8d1c130b67802e64fdebe7a0070ae Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Gerard Beekmans Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 00:52:26 +0000 Subject: replaced old 'intro' with current website's introduction git-svn-id: http://svn.linuxfromscratch.org/LFS/trunk/BOOK@1078 4aa44e1e-78dd-0310-a6d2-fbcd4c07a689 --- preface/whoread.xml | 82 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----------- 1 file changed, 65 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-) (limited to 'preface/whoread.xml') diff --git a/preface/whoread.xml b/preface/whoread.xml index 722899cd4..6c004719d 100644 --- a/preface/whoread.xml +++ b/preface/whoread.xml @@ -1,23 +1,71 @@ Who would want to read this book -This book is intended for Linux users who want to setup their own -custom built Linux system. Reasons for wanting to build such a system are -diverse. Perhaps you want to get into more detail as to what -happens behind the scenes. Perhaps you are fed up with distributions -which are often bloated or perhaps you don't want to rely on pre-compiled -binaries due to security concerns. There are many other reasons why -someone may want a custom built system. If any of these reasons apply to -you, this book is meant for you. - -The fruits of building your own system are plentiful, but the labor may -be hard. There is a long way ahead, but in the end you will be -able to call yourself the proud owner of your own Linux system, -completely tailored after your needs. You will dictate the layout of -bootscripts, the file system hierarchy, which programs are installed in -which directory, which versions of software to use, and more. Perhaps the -most important reason is that you will know exactly what is installed where, -why, and how. + +There are a lot of reasons why somebody would want to read this book in +order to install an LFS system. The question most people raise is "why +go through all the hassle of manually installing a Linux system from +scratch when you can just download an existing version like Debian or +Redhat". That is a valid question which I hope to answer for you. + + + +The most important reason for LFS's existence is teaching people how a +Linux system works internally. Building an LFS system teaches you about +all that makes Linux tick, how things work together, and depend on each +other. And most importantly, how to customize it to your own taste and +needs. + + + +One of the key benefits of LFS is that you are in control over your +system without having to rely on somebody else's Linux implementation +like Debian. You are in the driver's seat now and are able to dictate +every single thing such as the directory layout and boot script setup. +You will also know exactly where, why and how programs are installed. + + + +Another benefit of LFS is that you can create a very compact Linux +system. When you install a distribution like Debian or RedHat, you end +up installing a lot of programs you would never in your life use. +They're just sitting there taking up (precious) disk space. It's not +hard to get an LFS system installed under 100 MB. Does that still sound +like a lot? A few of us have been working on creating a very small +embedded LFS system. We installed a system that was just enough to run +the Apache web server; total disk space usage was aproximately 8 MB. +With further stripping, that can be brought down to 5 MB or less. Try +that with a generic Debian or Redhat distribution. + + + +If we were to compare a Linux distribution with a hamburger you buy at a +supermarket or fast-food restaurant, you would end up eating it without +knowing precisely what it is you are eating, whereas LFS gives you the +ingredients to make a hamburger. This allows you to carefully inspect +it, remove unwanted ingredients, and at the same time allow you to add +ingredients to enhance the flavour of your hamburger. When you are +satisfied with the ingredients, you go on to the next part of putting it +together. You now have the chance to make it just the way you like it: +broil it, bake it, deep-fry it, barbeque it, or eat it raw. + + + +Another analogy that we can use is that of comparing LFS with a finished +house. LFS will give you the skeleton of a house, but it's up to you to +install plumbing, electrical outlets, kitchen, bathtub, wallpaper, etc. + + + +Another advantage of a custom built Linux system is added security. You +will compile the entire system from source, thus allowing you to audit +everything, if you wish to do so, and apply all the security patches you +want or need to apply. You don't have to wait for somebody else to +provide a new binary package that fixes a security hole. Besides, you +have no guarantee that the new package actually fixes the problem +(adequately). You never truly know whether a security hole is fixed or +not unless you do it yourself. + -- cgit v1.2.3-54-g00ecf