Linux NetMag - Gentoo Linux

Published at 1.01.05
Author: Martin Schölling
Translator: Sebastian Kueppers
Languages: de

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Gentoo Linux

Mehr Power!

Gentoo Linux would be the perfect operating system for Tim Tailor. Starting with the first bit you can set up a system perfectly fitting your needs and wishes. But you have to do a lot of handwork.

Introduction

Optimizing is the word for the Gentoo-Linux developers. The current stable release 1.4 is the right choice: For server, workstation or whatever else.

Gentoo is a meta-distribution. So nothing is done yet, you're still open for each and everything.

Without big help by installation tools every program is compiled seperately. This is done using so called ebuilds containing scripts for compilation.

To gain time some ebuilds can be downloades as binaries. This spares lots of time installing e.g. KDE but contradicts the Gentoo-philosophy because this software isn't perfectly opzimized for this system.

But not only regarding the optimizing but also the actuality of the ebuilds is outstanding.

Installation

Before beginning the installation you have to choose between three stages.

Each stage starts at another point of the instalation process.

For omtimizing so called USE-flags are set to determine the field of service the system is used in. Even flags for the gcc can be set.

If choosing stage 1 you really start from scratch. At first the GNU C-libraries, the GCC and the most important system tools will be compiled.
If this is done the system is ready for stage 2.
In stage 2 the base system will be created. If you started with stage 1 you have to go through this stage, too.
Afterwards you have a stage 3 ready system.
Starting with stage 3 provides a full basic system without compilation. This saves time but the system is not optimized to the maximum.

The installation runs at the console. From patitioning the hgarddisk up to the kernel compilation everything is handmade. But a good installation tutorial[1] is available which will guid even non-experts through the installation

Nevertheless non-experts are advised to start in stage 3.

On duty

Admitted, it is a bit annoying to have to compileevery program on its own. But though you have control over every software used.

This bases on a portage-tree (maintained by the gentoo-developers) where all packages for daily use (and even more) can be found.

For installing ebuilds the tool emerge, can be used to download the sources from the internet and compile them.
For users without internet access a GRP (Gentoo Reference Platform, 3 CDs) containing many standard packages can be downloaded.

Conclusion

Handy and fast. The installation may be a bit uneasy though no special installation tool is included, but this is the advantage of this meta-distribution. You can set all options to your need and wishes.

So nothing for linux newbies but for people that want to learn how linux works and how it is configured "correctly".