I have been told (or maybe imagined) that the Linux OS (in all forms) is Open-source and is free to download, yet I cannot find anywhere to download any such file(s), in fact redhat charge for thier version of linux. Anyone care to help me figuire this out? I basically want a stream-lined OS for a peticular application (say a computer terminal, point of sale, internet box, whatever) so I want to strip the OS to the bear essensials and then start modifying to my requirements.
The linux source code is available but not in the form which you might expect. The kernel code is absolutely free and can be found at: htt://www.kernel.org This is essentially the linux source code as it is what drives the system and is what people mean when they say that the linux source code is free. The major distros ie redhat and mandrake etc all have written bits of software or use other peoples free software to link to the kernel with the the rest of what generally we would know as an operating system. You must be a bit confused with Redhat because you can infact download redhat for free from there website but you will have to pay for the proffessional editions and stuff. If you are looking for a small streamlined distro try slackware: http://www.slackware.com -Dolbz
Yeah, Gentoo is another good distro for slim and secialized, as is LFS. Redhat can be downlaoded from teh site, and the "pro" versions and crap, are just the ones you download, except they come ina $50 box with a shiny sticker on it The Redhat ISOs are actually 5 CDs big, the SRPMs (source RPMs) are the source code for all the programs that come with Redhat, for other distros I'm not sure And for what you want, the source code will do very little for you, as to get teh streamlined system, you'll want to deal with teh kernel, and the programs running on it. Just install a distro, and start tearing through the files in it, you ahve most of the source code righ tin front of you.
perhaps I should have mentioned that Linux is (literally) another language to me. Kernals are what exactly? Perhaps theres a website somewhere telling me what all this distro, kernal etc. lingo means? and perhaps how to make/modify the linux os platform? god I feel lost in linux land RE: "The pro versions and crap, are just the ones you download, except they come ina $50 box with a shiny sticker on it" Thats free trade and enterprise "run a muck"!
Uh. Okay.. From the top then. . . . Distro = distribution, the style of Linux (Redhat, Mandrake, Debian, etc) kernel = the guts of teh OS. ALl OSes ahve one, jsut in various forms, Linux has the kernel config system, a series of config files, all set up and caled upon when and hwo they are needed, Windows has a pile of dog crap that it throws at the screen (no, I don't know how it works) and the Mac OS is BSD based, so I would assume it handles the kernel much like BSD does, which is similar to hwo Linux handles it. Uhh... Okay if you have NO idea what with Linux, I'd maybe say teh forums are a bit of a bother to be doing any heavy discussion on getting Linux or building it etc, so feel free to contact me via ICQ or email (ICQ i probably easier if you've got it). Okay, well... I'd advice you to maybe check out the sticky at the top of this forum, has some links you might find useful. Speaking of which, I should really update that bloody thing. . . . Do you have a fairly good idea of how your computer works, and is built, and how the bits all work together, and such, ie ar eyoua geek or a {H}ardcore geek ? If your 'ard enough, then Linux shoul dbe relatively easy for you to grasp. If your jsut a regular geek, you'll have to work a little harder. Cheers.
In regards to my experience, I do understand the workings of your average PC. I have built a few (mostly discarded 486's). I've been programming (in one way or another) since about 1998 (currently studying 3D basics), I have intimate knowlege of windows as far back as win 3.1 (registry, configuration files, inis and what not). I dont know if that classifies me as a "{H}ardcore geek". perhaps more "someone with too much time on their hands", though both arent mutually exlusive, if you get what I mean. as to my knowlege of linux, it pretty much begins and ends at 'Its not windows, but it does stuff. and it doesnt cost and arm, a leg and your first born to use it', which as you well know is more information than anyone could ever need BTW. I kinda' got the jist of what distro and kernal are, glad I was right though.
