Wanting to build my own Linux Distro

[Dark Aspect]

Hello,

I have some extra spare time and I am thinking about creating my own Linux Distro. I was thinking something similar to Ubuntu in terms of user friendliness but use different default applications. For example, I’ve already made the decision to use KDE since I don’t think that there are many Linux operating systems with KDE installed by default aside from Kubuntu. However, despite making it user friendly, I was thinking about making it a rolling release like Arch but with set releases maybe every year on top of rolling updates.

Any ideas to help me get started? If I do make it a rolling release, I’ll make a gui equivalent of pacman –syu or whatever. I know how to do basic programming so I don’t mind writing simple applications but it will all be open source and largely not my code. Anyway, don’t hesitate to introduce new ideas.

I am not going to base it on debian - I don't really want an Ubuntu clone.

[fatality_uk]

You are better giving us a bit more details of your vision, rather than asking for ideas as you could get lots or none!

[szymon_g]

Wanting to build my own Linux Distro


great. now it will be only 14634254 linux distributions.

but seriously- if you are willing to do something, it would be better to join an existing project than creating everything, more or less, from scratch.

[Sporkman]

I don’t think that there are many Linux operating systems with KDE installed by default aside from Kubuntu.

Eh?

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=suse
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mandriva
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=pclinuxos
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mepis

just to name a few.

[Dark Aspect]

You are better giving us a bit more details of your vision, rather than asking for ideas as you could get lots or none!

Well, I was wanting something that is made to run on modern computers that is not as lightwieght as other projects that is extremely compatibility out of box. Like, maybe having wine installed by default and perhaps its own way of updating some packages like wine. Kind of like a Windows clone I suppose, but before I get flamed for that, I merely stating that Windows is know for its compatibility.

I guess I can't really give anything too specific since I just came up with the idea a few days ago.


great. now it will be only 14634254 linux distributions.

but seriously- if you are willing to do something, it would be better to join an existing project than creating everything, more or less, from scratch.

That's a fine idea, but I don't know how to become a developer or anyone useful on an existing project.

[estyles]

Kind of like a Windows clone I suppose, but before I get flamed for that, I merely stating that Windows is know for its compatibility.

Umm... actually, Windows is pretty incompatible with everything else... It doesn't even support much hardware - lucky for them the hardware manufacturers write drivers for Windows if they expect to have a user base. =)

[earthpigg]

kde and rolling?

debian testing or unstable base, use remastersys?

[chessnerd]

You will be one out of thousands, but good luck to you. Some good distros are maintained by just a few people, so I see no reason why you can't do it. I think a good example of a one-man distro is Privacy OS (http://sites.google.com/site/privacyosproject/). It's got a great niche market, its website is no-nonsense and convincing, and it looks good.

Now, here is the thing:

What makes me want to turn YOUR distro into MY distro? Why should I care that your distro exists?

You need to make your distro distinctive. A niche market is one way to do this. However, if you are looking to make the next mega-distro, then you'll need something special that makes everyone consider switching.

I don't know you're programming limitations. I don't know what everyone wants in a distro. All I know is this:

People won't switch without a reason. So give them a reason.

[mmix]

KDE has it's limit, because, it just puppet of Xorg.

try PCLinuxOS
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=pclinuxos

or
try Haiku os or reactos.

or
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=614990

[ronnielsen1]

just to name a few.

Thank you