Totally Built Linux Distro Files

Welcome to Totally Built Linux Distro

new pre-release: 11/30/2024

this README is for the older release.  there is nothing better about the older
release, the newer one still builds all old and new stuff with many things that
used to be XXX-fixme now fixed, and is the same size still.

original posts: 12/02/22, update message: 1/29/23

Please Be Patient - Under Construction.  src9 just entered testing.

  https://sourceforge.net/projects/totally-built-linux-distro
  https://totally-built-linux-distro.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html

Do I need the USB?
.  Yes.  It has ie. /usr/local/comp bins that are used in initial chroot.

Do I need the .tar?
.  Yes, sources*.gz ARE NOT ON the usb* currently (see below)
.  Yes and the README too
.  Most all source are same as obtained anywhere except a few that are
   provided as new (ex Motif-2.5.1) except procps-3.2 (an exception).

Do I need src9 USB to make src9 distro?
.  No.  You can build several src?/ simultaneously making multiple OS at once.
   The src8/ src9/ src2/ folders use src8 or src9 usb; chain tools are same.

How to make the USB (see note below if .usb is split)
   $ gzip -d src8-ff99.usb.gz 
   $ dd if=src8-ff99.usb of=/dev/sdc-xxx
.  use usb 32G, it is 4G ext2 and 16G swap, will be totally (erased)

Do I need to boot the USB to run the build?
.  no, after writing to a physical usb it is gpt mountable
   Here you could run hd-hd-install to a pre-made gpt, else copy
   /card/usr/local from usb to existing /usr/local (names should not clash).
   If not booted, be using a kernel "close to linux-5.11.8" should be ok?
.  USB is end-to-end, also allows change of architecture ie 32/64.

See README.build-0.2 about unzipping folders and starting build.
.  The chief, if not only config task, is that you insure src*.gz are found
   by the existing build.conf and mnt-disk, mounted -o ro READ ONLY.
   important: you will eventually make a mistake, -o ro protects you from you.
	/mnt-src is where to mount and /usr/src/dl/ is where to put *.gz
	With that, only /dev/sd? needs to be edited in build.conf

Can I run build on usb without HD?
.  It was planned that way but not tested yet.  (requires $$$ usb, currently)
.  You could copy the .gz to /usr/src/dl.  mount --bind to get read-only mnt.

NEW!
src9-ff109
.  Xorg recent, 32+64 gcc-10.2 glibc-2.25, meson built (many libs recent
   or latest), linux-5.11.8.
.  Mathematica 13.1 runs faster, firefox-109 has Youtube video audio
.  EXT4 support
.  giving sourceforge a break - is on AWS website

src8-ff99
.  ff99 binary video+audio, mathematica-13.1, Xorg > 7.7, 32+64
   work (intelHD nvidia PC), is notably "the last non-meson build"
   gcc-4.7 and gcc-10.2, glibc-2.25, mesa-12, linux-5.11.8
.  EXT4 support
.  soon to be Re-released as same

src2-ff44
.  ff44 and qt5.1 build from source, 32+64, no audio video
   (maybe can be done just snipping from src8's list but ff44 may ignore, idk)
   X11R7.7 exactly, gcc-4.7 glibc-2.11 linux-4.16.12
.  giving sourceforge a break - is on AWS website

boot-rc/ are still being preened (a never ending task of any OS)
.  My @home scripts which aren't the best for purpose of getting a
   fresh user on the internet simply.  Has XLogins and firewall.
   (old ipv4 internet superserver script in limp mode to behave as client)
   You could use scripts another distro to provide RC or your own.
.  see boot-rc/README

News:

  .  EXT4 is now in src8 src9 (ext3 was oversight), not ACL, see Errata
  .  src8 USB can now be used to make src2 src8 and src9, very convenient
  .  path_os.1 can contain comp.basis offering change of basis

Errata:

.  Oops!  use NVIDIA-515 not NVIDIA-525.  525 gets missing headers errors
   (editing Makefile worked, but use 515 unless you need 525)
.  Oops!  rm /bin/xdm ; cp /etc/init.d/xdm /bin/
.  Alsa won't work unless sound is reset after hd-hd-install (list.test.3)
   (it re-creates /dev files using /sys info, reloads /etc/modules)
   If you want sound through LED TV, edit /usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf
   by aplay -l, ex. card 1 and device 7 (leave other entries as they are)
.  src8 had been temporarily reverted to "last stable version" ...
   While testing src9 it was found that  alsa and  nvidia  modules loaded
   but were frozen, 5 bytes different.  It was found CONFIG_FS_POSIX_ACL
   caused it.  ACL is disabled since fixing alsa would not fix all other .mod
   (also so pre-existing modules may work).  And ... (see junk/todo)
.  src8 builds faster (has older versions and is non-meson).  Fastest build?
   edit list.test.3 for kernel 4.x/gcc-4.7.4 add EXT4 not ACL in .config

gcc-12
   .  avoided because it has no option to prevent "ET PHONE HOME"
      and disabling in code proves a monster also

glibc-2.36
  .  could not get it to compile 32bit, meaning it may have serious flaws
     with cross-compiling ability.  36 also causes far more apps to fail
     and need fixing 25 (likewise 2.25 fails more than 2.11)

boot-rc/
.  forgot to mention /Users/etc/named.conf forwarders { NEEDS DHCP IPS } 
   from your cable modem provider
.  these are older internet-superserver scripts operating in limp mode
   as client - they were never meant to offer "simple client setup"
.  todo:  provide simple eth0+wifi IPV6 up (app) and firewall (app)
   note:  my ipv4 works ... i do not rarely update boot-rc but might do ipv6

Can I use other-distro not the USB?
.  The bins on the USB are built by src8
.  README.build-0.2 discusses.  Using "own bins" but may likely result in
   needing to find new fixes to build glibc, if I must guess.  Plausible,
   not necessarily easy.

IMPORTANT:  Sourceforge has a 2GB limit, usb is 2.1GB ...
.  download these 3: src8-ff99-1.usb.gz src8-ff99-2.usb.gz merge-download
.  $ sh ./merge-download.sh