Clemson:Gentoo Install CD
From Linux 101, The beginner's guide to all things Linux.
For more information regarding the Gentoo distribution itself, visit the Gentoo Linux page.
Contents |
[edit] About the project
The Clemson Linux User Group Gentoo Installation CD is an attempt to streamline the Gentoo installation process for Clemson students. It aims to cut the amount of time it takes for a fully functional Gentoo installation to be completed from multiple hours to less than one.
[edit] How it works
The Installation CD centers around a relocatable BASH script which automates many of the more trivial commands the normal Gentoo installation requires. Knowing that Clemson students would be the target audience, a number of settings could be pre-determined and as such, they require no input from the user during installation. The script prompts the user, through a series of questions, for input related to how they would like their system configured, ranging from partitioning information to filesystem selection to kernel configuration. Despite a number of setbacks, when the CD was presented at a CLUG meeting, the installation took less than one hour from the computer being booted to the system being up and running with a GUI.
[edit] News and Information
Current information, as well as contact info, can be found by visiting the project's homepage at http://gentoo.clemsonlinux.org
[edit] How you can help
Currently the CD could use help from outside sources in an effort to improve it. A number of things are being sought. Namely:
- Greater testing - Although the CD has been tested on a number of computers, the hardware differences between the actual machines were relatively low. Downloading the ISO from the main site and testing it on a machine and reporting back the results would be greatly appreciated.
- Hardware information - What sorts of hardware are people out there using? There has been an effort to make a wireless installation feasible, which has been slightly tested and is considered to be working for certain cards, but all cards are not supported. If you use one of these cards, reporting it would aid in gaining broader support.
- Program requests - If there are any programs not currently on the CD that you wish to see, don't hesitate to request them.
- Bug reporting - This CD was not created by people exceptionally experienced with BASH scripting. Although it is relatively straightforward, there can always be times when things just go awry or we missed something.
- Further streamlining - Along the lines of bug reporting, if you have any general ideas on how to make the script better or more simplistic, your input is appreciated.
