Re: [gentoo-user] How to create my own linux distribution

[Ryan Tandy <tarpman@gmail.com>]

David Corbin wrote:
> 
> I've considered the idea of a custom distribution to do this.  There is no 
> doubt in my mind, that any such distribtuion would be based on an existing 
> one, with tweaks that deal with where updates come from, and what packages 
> are availble, etc.  Gentoo or Debian are the two likely candidates.  I'm not 
> *sure* a customized distribution is appropriate.

There's an excellent reason why Gentoo is seriously leaning towards 
calling itself a "metadistribution".  Look into tools such as catalyst. 
  You can build LiveCDs for installing into a known-good environment, 
"Stage 4" archives that require minimal configuration after 
installation, or even (since, as you mentioned, the targets fall into a 
few distinct categories) full disc images on (a) local staging box(es) 
and simply image everything across to the targets.  If you're 
uncomfortable with having a production system loaded with gcc, portage, 
and such, you can build your own "releases" locally, and simply batch 
update the targets when convenient.  The images built by catalyst are 
*not* required to contain portage or the portage tree.

Portage and catalyst are *very* powerful tools if you look into their 
depths.  Rsync and friends used in conjunction with a local staging 
system can IMO make maintaining such a system incredibly easy.

Yes, I'm available for consulting. :P
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