Questions about compiling Linux....

[DynamicTech]

I have a couple of questions about compiling the Linux kernel. I have been developing an interest in putting together a custom Linux version. I have reading on a few sites about this subject, but there are two questions that leap out at me that seem to be left out of the articles. Maybe it's common knowledge among true developers. But anyway, when you compile the source code, do you have to supply drivers for a certain chipset? And second, once the kernel has been compiled, how would you go about making it either a) installable, or (preferably) b) bootable from a floppy or cd? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nevermind, I just read it in abook, and it finally clicked. You need an existing installation of linux to recompile kernel for additional functionality. I can figure the rest out myself.

[faulkner132]

Sounds like Gentoo is the Linux distro for you (http://www.gentoo.com). It allows you to set the flags you want to include/exclude in your make statement. Everything is compiled from source so your "tweaks" are echoed through your entire OS.

[DynamicTech]

Thnaks for the reply faulkner132, I'm going to look into that. I'm attempting to playing around with fedora 4 and isolinux, but my fedora install just bombed on my experiental box. I'm also considering trying the slax pocket os and adding mods to that. I would really like to "roll my own", but I think I'm going to have to play around with more highly configurable versions first.
I\m definately going to look into gentoo, though. Thanks again.

[DynamicTech]

I have my linux install upgraded to where it can compile the kernel. I have decided to jump in head first and make a custom linux disk. My first compile is going somewhat smoothly, although I have some errors to fix. Does anyone know of some good linux resources concerning GUI making?

[DynamicTech]

OK, now I am thoroughly confused. I have been searching for a resource about gui building in linux. I have run across KDE and GNOME. Now, are these softwares "development kits" or class libraries that allow you to write your own GUI, or are they stand alone GUI applications? If they are stand alone GUI applications, how do you go about integrating them with the linux kernel?
The more I dig into linux, the more questions I have.

[faulkner132]

From the direction it looks like you are going, I think this site might be of some use:

http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/

[DynamicTech]

Hey, thanks faulkner132! that's exactly what I'm looking for. You're tops in my book.