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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.

2.2 - April 3rd, 2000

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


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