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Draft version of replacement Foreword.

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Gerard Beekmans 2009-05-24 05:57:33 +00:00
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<title>Foreword</title>
<para>My adventures in Linux began in 1998 when I downloaded and
installed my first distribution. After working with it for a while, I
discovered issues I definitely would have liked to see improved upon.
For example, I didn't like the arrangement of the bootscripts or the way
programs were configured by default. I tried a number of alternative
distributions to address these issues, yet each had its pros and cons.
Finally, I realized that if I wanted full satisfaction from my Linux
system, I would have to build my own from scratch.</para>
<para>My journey to learn and better understand Linux began over a decade ago,
back in 1998. I had just installed my first Linux distribution and had
quickly become intrigued with the whole concept and philosophy behind
Linux.</para>
<para>What does this mean? I resolved not to use pre-compiled packages
of any kind, nor CD-ROMs or boot disks that would install basic
utilities. I would use my current Linux system to develop my own
customized system. This <quote>perfect</quote> Linux system would then
have the strengths of various systems without their associated
weaknesses. In the beginning, the idea was rather daunting, but I
remained committed to the idea that a system could be built that would
conform to my needs and desires rather than to a standard that just
did not fit what I was looking for.</para>
<para>There are always many ways to accomplish a single task. The same can be
said about Linux distributions. A great many have existed over the years.
Some still exist, some have morphed into something else yet others have
been relegated to our memories.</para>
<para>After sorting through issues such as circular dependencies and
compile-time errors, I created a custom-built Linux system that was
fully operational and suitable to individual needs. This process also
allowed me to create compact and streamlined Linux systems which are
faster and take up less space than traditional operating systems. I
called this system a Linux From Scratch system, or an LFS system for
short.</para>
<para>They all do things differently to suit the needs of their target audience.
Because there existed so many different ways to accomplish the same end
goal, I began to realize I no longer had to be limited by any one
implementation. Prior to discovering Linux, we simply put up with issues in
other Operating Systems as you had no choice. It was what it was, whether
you liked it or not. With Linux, the concept of choice began to emerge. If
you didn't like something, you were free, even encouraged, to change
it.</para>
<para>As I shared my goals and experiences with other members of the
Linux community, it became apparent that there was sustained interest
in the ideas set forth in my Linux adventures. Such custom-built LFS
systems serve not only to meet user specifications and requirements, but
also serve as an ideal learning opportunity for programmers and system
administrators to enhance their Linux skills. Out of this broadened
interest, the Linux From Scratch Project was born.</para>
<para>I tried a number of distributions and could not decide on any one. They
were great systems in their own right. It wasn't a matter of right and
wrong anymore. It had become a matter of personal taste. With all that
choice available, it became apparent that there would not be a single
system that would be perfect for me. So I set out to create my own Linux
system that would fully conform to my personal preferences.</para>
<para>This <emphasis>Linux From Scratch</emphasis> book provides
readers with the background and instruction to design and build custom
Linux systems. This book highlights the Linux from Scratch project and
the benefits of using this system. Users can dictate all aspects of
their system, including directory layout, script setup, and security.
The resulting system will be compiled completely from the source code,
and the user will be able to specify where, why, and how programs are
installed. This book allows readers to fully customize Linux systems
to their own needs and allows users more control over their
system.</para>
<para>To truly make it my own system, I resolved to compile everything from
source code instead of using pre-compiled binary packages. This
<quote>perfect</quote> Linux system would have the strengths of various
systems without their perceived weaknesses. At first, the idea was rather
daunting. I remained committed to the idea that such a system could be
built.</para>
<para>I hope you will have a great time working on your own LFS
system, and enjoy the numerous benefits of having a system that is
truly <emphasis>your own</emphasis>.</para>
<para>After sorting through issues such as circular dependencies and compile-time
errors, a custom-built Linux system was finally built. It was fully
operational and perfectly usable like any of the other Linux systems out
there at the time. But it was my own creation. It was very satisfying to
have put together such a system yourself. The only thing better would have
been to create each piece of software yourself. This was the next best
thing.</para>
<para>As I shared my goals and experiences with other members of the Linux
community, it became apparent that there was a sustained interest in those
ideas. It quickly became apparent that such custom-built Linux systems
serve not only to meet user specific requirements, but also serve as an
ideal learning opportunity for programmers and system administrators to
enhance their (existing) Linux skills. Out of this broadened interest, the
<emphasis>Linux From Scratch Project</emphasis> was born.</para>
<para>This Linux From Scratch book is the central core around that project. It
provides the background and instructions necessary for you to design and
build your own system. While this book provides a template that will result
in a correctly working system, you are free to alter the instructions to
suit yourself . that is the whole point of the project after all. You
remain in control; we just lend a helping hand to get you started on your
own journey.</para>
<para>I sincerely hope you will have a great time working on your own Linux From
Scratch system, and enjoy the numerous benefits of having a system that is
truly your own.</para>
<literallayout>--
Gerard Beekmans