Ed W wrote:
>> "Why Gentoo?"

>
> I like gentoo for situations where:
> - Skilled developer available
> - Customisable solution is desired
> - Tightly controlled deployment environment
> - Repeatable build environment required
>
> I think gentoo is far less acceptable if there isn't a skilled developer
> available to help maintain and develop it... Probably that's my main
> suggestion on how to size your project?
>
> However, if that developer/administrator is available, then Gentoo is a
> marvellous solution for quickly building few MB custom solution, or a 60MB
> virtual server base installation, or whatever other customised environment
> you desire?

This is very perceptive, and excellent advice!

I believe firmly in "owning the problem" and for that, Gentoo is a
very good fit. I know many who fiercly resist owning any problem
whatsoever, and they do fine anyway (even better than me) and for
them obviously Gentoo is not at all a goo fit because they would have
to make lots of decisions they do not want to.

Abstracting a little; the more requirements there are, the more
likely it is that without Gentoo, it would be neccessary to start
re-inventing various bits and pieces that Gentoo already offer.

Sometimes requirements come only later, when a production process has
already been established, and can not comfortably be replaced. That's
a bad situation to be in. It will be painful no matter what, but
often people choose the lengthy pain that means sticking with the old
"distribution" living with a less-than-useful environment and
reinventing tools and processes, instead of ripping off the band-aid
and making a switch to Gentoo or something else that fits the
project.


//Peter