1. Introduction

1.1 What's this all about?

Having used a number of different Linux distributions, I was never fully satisfied with either of those. I didn't like the way the bootscripts were arranged, or I didn't like the way certain programs were configured by default and more of those things. I came to realize that when I want to be totally satisfied with a Linux system, I have to build my own Linux system from scratch. Ideally only using the source code. No pre-compiled packages of any kind. No help from some sort of cdrom or bootdisk that would install some basic utilities. You would use your current Linux system and use that one to build your own.

This, at one time, wild idea seemed very difficult and at times almost impossible. The reason for most problems were due to my lack of knowledge about certain programs and procedures. After sorted out all kinds of dependency problems, compilation problems, etcetera, a manually Linux system was created and fully operational. I called this system and LFS system which stands for LinuxFromScratch.

1.2 New versions

The latest version of the document can always be found at http://www.linuxfromscratch.org

1.3 Version history

2.1.5 - March 26th, 2000

This is not a full list of modified things. Because v2.0 is a major release, only the major changes are mentioned and not the minor ones.

• Directory structure modified - LFS is FHS compliant now. Perhaps not 100%, but getting there.
• New Glibc installation method
• New GCC installation method
• Eliminated the need for the pre-compiled Debian packages.
• Totally revised software installation method - eliminated the need of all the statically linked packages in former chapter 6.1.
• Various bugs fixed in software installation
• Installed a few more programs from the util-linux package
• Added the installation of the Bzip2 program
• Explained in greater detail what the $LFS is all about - how to and how not to use it.
• Simplified installation procedures for all packages in chapters 5 through 9.1
• Moved the installation of Glibc and GCC to chapter 7 in stead of having their own chapters which isn't necessary.
• Modified Internet servers chapter: separated into Network Daemons and Network Clients chapter. Internet chapter has merged with these two new chapters.
• Switched chapters 13 and 14 (X and Internet) and merged the chapters about X and Window Maker into chapter 14.
• We're using a new Man program. This one is easier to use and configure than the man-db one we previously used. Both versions perform nearly the same jobs.
• Added new chapter 13: Resources. This chapter contains a number of books and HOWTOs you'll find useful to read during or after building an LFS system.
• Chapter 3: Fixed bzip2 link
• Chapter 7.2.42: Simplified Util-Linux installation method
• Chapter 3.1: Changed procps location
• Chapter 7.2: Switched installation of Vim and Util-Linux (as we need an editor to install Util-Linux)
• Chapter 7.3.33: Fixed procps installation.
• Chapter 5.2: stripped inittab file so it won't complain about missing files at boot time.
• Chapter 6: Rewrote kernel installation
• Chapter 10.3: Fixed Apache bootscript
• Chapter 10.3.2: Removed section about modifying the httpd.conf file. No longer necessary. Added the addition of /usr/apache/man to the /usr/share/misc/man.conf file
• Chapter 11.1: Provided a fixed mailx package with a working Makefile file to simplify the installation procedure
• Chapter 11.3.1: Added the --shared switch to configure so that Zlib is installed as a dynamic library rather than a static one.
• Chapter 11.6: Have Lynx link against the Ncurses library in stead of the Slang.
• Chapter 12: The newer man-db already has the X11/man directory in it's man_db.config file

2.2 - April 3rd, 2000

• The linuxfromscratch.org and linuxfromscratch.com domains are now operational. All former links to huizen.dds.nl/~glb and tts.ookhoi.dds.nl have been replaced by the appropriate links on www.linuxfromscratch.org
• After the reboot in chapter 7.3, the swap partition is made active before we start compiling software.

1.4 Mailinglists

There are two mailing lists you can subscribe to. The lfs-discuss and the lfs-announce list. The former is an open non-moderated list discussing anything that has got anything to do with this document. The latter is an open moderated list. Anybody can subscribe to it, but you cannot post messages to it (only the moderator(s) can do this). This list is primarily used for announcements of new versions of this document.

If you're subscribed to the lfs-discuss list you don't need to be subscribed to the lfs-announce list as well. Everything that is sent over the lfs-announce list is also sent over the lfs-discuss list.

Subscribing

To subscribe to a list, send an email to majordomo@fist.org and type in the body either subscribe lfs-discuss or subscribe lfs-announce

Majordomo will send you a confirmation-request email. This email will contain an authentication code. Once you send this email back to Majordomo (instructions are provided in that email) you will be subscribed.

Unsubscribing

To unsubscribe from a list, send an email to majordomo@fist.org and type in the the body either unsubscribe lfs-discuss or unsubscribe lfs-announce

1.5 Contact info

Direct all your questions preferably to the mailing list. If you need to reach me personally, send an email to gerard@linuxfromscratch.org