Custom Fork of Ubuntu?

[zeroblitzt]

Hello,

I am looking to customize Ubuntu for a private online community I attend. By customize, I mean trim down a bunch of programs included from the get-go, and add some programs I feel could benefit users. But after googling extensively, I have found no sure-fire tips on how to even begin a fork of a distro. Am I in way over my head here?

[koenn]

Am I in way over my head here?
If you have to ask, you probably are.

First, try to define what exactly it is you want to do (make a list of all the things you want different ), then what each of those items, find out what would be required to accomplish it. It will ghive you an idea of what you need in terms of skills and knwoledge to pull this of, and you can judge for yourself wheter you could do it or not.

Or find someone at other "customized/ derived distro's" and ask how they did it and what it involves (Ubuntu Christian, Ubuntu Satanic, ...)

[Kateikyoushi]

I think Satanic is "just" artwork, by the way I do not think it is so difficult but do not really see why couldn't be done after an ubuntu install.
You should give more info about what exactly you want.

[zekopeko]

try this: http://reconstructor.aperantis.com/

[zeroblitzt]

Satanic IS just artwork/themes (just saw it).

[zeroblitzt]

Reconstructor seems alright, but it only makes LiveCD's, no?

[Hex_Mandos]

You can also try Ubuntu Customization Kit (http://svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/*checkout*/uck/trunk/uck/docs/index.html).

Keep in mind that what you'd be doing woulnd't be a 'fork', since you'd still be using the Ubuntu repos. It's more like a custom installation of Ubuntu. I'm in the process of learning to make my own "distro", mostly for promotional purposes (besides adding a few tweaks and graphics).

[sicofante]

Reconstructor seems alright, but it only makes LiveCD's, no?
I've been reading a bit on their forums (I love the idea) and it seems you get both a customised LiveCD and final install, so it might work for you. I also will try and customise Ubuntu for me, my family and my customers some time in the future, but I want to gain some experience with Ubuntu's defaults first.

[zeroblitzt]

You can also try Ubuntu Customization Kit (http://svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/*checkout*/uck/trunk/uck/docs/index.html).

Keep in mind that what you'd be doing woulnd't be a 'fork', since you'd still be using the Ubuntu repos. It's more like a custom installation of Ubuntu. I'm in the process of learning to make my own "distro", mostly for promotional purposes (besides adding a few tweaks and graphics).

Yeah, excuse my use of the word "fork", its really the only thing that came to mind to easily describe this.

[zekopeko]

Reconstructor seems alright, but it only makes LiveCD's, no?

i think it make a complete install/livecd.

like ubuntu but with programs you need/like.