source: introduction/welcome/which.xml

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<sect1 id="whichsections" xreflabel="Which sections of the book?">
  <?dbhtml filename="which.html"?>


  <title>Which Sections of the Book Do I Want?</title>

  <para>Unlike the Linux From Scratch book, BLFS isn't designed to be
  followed in a linear manner. LFS provides instructions
  on how to create a base system which can become anything
  from a web server to a multimedia desktop system. BLFS attempts
  to guide you in the process of going from the base system to your intended
  destination. Choice is very much involved.</para>

  <para>Everyone who reads this book will want to read certain sections.  The
  <xref linkend="introduction"/>, which you are currently reading,
  contains generic information.  Take special note of the information in
  <xref linkend="important"/>, as this contains comments about how to
  unpack software, issues related to the use of different locales, and various other
  considerations which apply throughout the book.</para>

  <para>The part on <xref linkend="postlfs"/> is where most people will want
  to turn next.  This deals not only with configuration, but also with Security
  (<xref linkend="postlfs-security"/>), File Systems (<xref
  linkend="postlfs-filesystems"/> -- including GRUB for UEFI), Text Editors (<xref
  linkend="postlfs-editors"/>), and Shells (<xref linkend="postlfs-shells"/>).
  Indeed, you may wish to reference some parts of this chapter (especially
  the sections on Text Editors and File Systems) while building your LFS
  system.</para>

  <para>Following these basic items, most people will want to at least browse
  through the <xref linkend="general"/> part of the book.  This contains
  information on many items which are prerequisites for other sections of the
  book, as well as some items (such as <xref linkend="general-prog"/>)
  which are useful in their own right.  You don't have to install all
  of the libraries and packages found in this part; each
  BLFS installation procedure tells you which other packages this one
  depends upon. You can choose the program you want to install, and see
  what it needs. (Don't forget to check for nested dependencies!)</para>

  <para>Likewise, most people will probably want to look at the
  <xref linkend="basicnet"/> section.  It deals with connecting to the Internet
  or your LAN (<xref linkend="basicnet-connect"/>)
  using a variety of methods such as DHCP and PPP, and with items
  such as Networking Libraries (<xref linkend="basicnet-netlibs"/>), plus various
  basic networking programs and utilities.</para>

  <para>Once you have dealt with these basics, you may wish to configure
  more advanced network services.  These are dealt with in the <xref
  linkend="server"/> part of the book.  Those wanting to build servers
  should find a good starting point there.  Note that this section
  also contains information on several database packages.</para>

  <para>The next twelve chapters deal with desktop systems.  This
  portion of the book starts with a part talking about <xref linkend="x"/>. This
  part also deals with some generic X-based libraries (<xref linkend="x-lib"/>).
  After that, <xref linkend="kde"/>, <xref linkend="gnome"/>,
  <xref linkend="xfce"/>, and <xref linkend="lxqt"/> are given their
  own parts, followed by one on <xref linkend="xsoft"/>.</para>

  <para>The book then moves on to deal with <xref linkend="multimedia"/>
  packages. Note that many people may want to use the <xref linkend="alsa"/>
  instructions from this chapter when first starting their BLFS
  journey; the instructions are placed here because it is the most logical
  place for them.</para>

  <para>The final part of the main BLFS book deals with <xref
  linkend="pst"/>.  This is useful for most people with desktop systems, but
  even those who are creating dedicated server systems may find it useful.</para>

  <para>We hope you enjoy using BLFS. May you realize your dream of building
  the perfectly personalized Linux system!</para>

</sect1>