[ba-ohs-talk] A new Linux distro -- Sorcerer
For a review (following a link from slashdot)
http://www.distrowatch.com/review-sorcerer.php (01)
Requisite quote:
"Once you install a few Linux distributions, you will soon get to
understand the basic process, which is rather similar in most mainstream
distributions. Partition your hard drive, select the packages to install,
listen to the CD spinning in your drive and when it calms down, you might
do some hardware and network configuration to conclude the process. Less
then an hour after inserting the installation CD you will have a fully
working Linux system on your computer. (02)
But things can be done completely differently. The beauty of Linux is that
there are plenty of ways to achieve the same goal. As long as we are free
to exercise our creative abilities and implement the resulting ideas, we
can create amazing things. (03)
Just think about this for minute - since the vast majority of Linux
software comes with source code, why is it necessary to download binary
files that somebody compiled on a particular hardware platform and included
all sorts of options to run it on thousands of different hardware
configurations? Would it not be more logical to compile everything on your
own machine, ensuring that the code is optimised for exactly your hardware? (04)
Enter the magic world of Sorcerer GNU Linux, a Linux distribution with a
difference." (05)
"Sorcerer GNU Linux (SGL) is a new Linux distribution. Its first release
was produced in July 2001 and subsequent updates were very frequent at
roughly twice a month. The project's web site is unlikely to win any design
awards, but the essential information with FAQs and mailing lists to get
anybody started is present. (06)
The basic philosophy of Sorcerer GNU Linux is amazingly simple - after
installing it, you will end up with the most optimised system for your
particular hardware configuration and, at the same time, you will be
running the absolute latest software available. (07)
How does Sorcerer achieve this? First, you download the compressed ISO
image, unzip it, burn it to a bootable CD and boot from it. After answering
a few questions, you will watch the installation of a basic Linux system on
your hard drive. Nothing really differs much from any other distribution
until you get to the kernel compilation stage. And this is when things
become interesting... (08)
But we will leave a more detailed description of the installation process
for the appropriate chapter. Here, just a basic overview: After your kernel
is compiled, you will reboot into a brand new system. You are invited to
configure your networking, knowing that soon there will be plenty of
interesting code running down your cable or telephone line from various
parts of the world. The great fun of selecting, downloading and compiling
your packages can begin. (09)
So what is the downside of such a distribution? If it is so great, why
isn't everybody using it? The main reason is the fact that it takes a bit
of knowledge and a lot of time to get Sorcerer GNU Linux up and running on
your computer. Installing most other distribution will last less than an
hour before you get a full-featured Linux desktop with several window
managers, servers and more applications than you can shake a stick at. With
Sorcerer, well, you'd better reserve a rainy weekend for it if you'd like
to achieve the same. Some people might find this too time consuming, but
those of us who like to tinker and optimise every bit and every byte of our
hardware and those of us who like to run the latest software as it is
produced, will find that Sorcerer is a dream come true. " (010)