source: introduction/welcome/which.xml@ 2ae9847

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<sect1 id="intro-welcome-whichsections" xreflabel="Which sections of the book?">
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<title>Which sections of the book do I want?</title>

<para>Unlike the Linux From Scratch book, <acronym>BLFS</acronym> isn't
designed to be followed in a linear manner.  This is because <acronym>LFS
</acronym> provides instructions on how to create a base system which is
capable of turning into anything from a web server to a multimedia desktop
system.  <acronym>BLFS</acronym> is where we try 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 the book will want to read certain sections.  The
<xref linkend="introduction"/> part&ndash;which you are currently
reading&ndash;contains generic information.  Especially take note of the 
information in Important Information (<xref linkend="intro-important"/>), as 
this contains comments about how to unpack software and various other aspects 
which apply throughout the book.</para>

<para>The part on <xref linkend="postlfs"/> is where most people will want
to turn next.  This deals with not just configuration but also Security
(<xref linkend="postlfs-security"/>), File Systems (<xref
linkend="postlfs-filesystems"/>), Editors (<xref
linkend="postlfs-editors"/>) and Shells (<xref linkend="postlfs-shells"/>).
Indeed, you may wish to reference certain parts of this chapter (especially
the sections on Editors and File Systems) while building your <acronym>LFS
</acronym> 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 part contains
information on many items which are prerequisites for other sections of the
book as well as some items (such as Programming (<xref linkend="general-prog"/>) 
which are useful in their own right.  Note that you don't have to install all 
of these libraries and packages found in this part to start with, each
<acronym>BLFS</acronym> install procedure tells you which packages 
it depends upon so you can choose the program you want to install and see 
what it needs.</para>

<para>Likewise, most people will probably want to look at the <xref 
linkend="connect"/> and <xref linkend="basicnet"/> parts.  The first of
these deals with connecting to the Internet or your <acronym>LAN
</acronym> using a variety of methods such as <acronym>DHCP</acronym> 
(<xref linkend="connect-dhcp"/>) and Dial-Up Connections (<xref 
linkend="connect-dialup"/>).  The second of these parts deals with items 
such as Networking Libraries (<xref linkend="basicnet-netlibs"/>) and 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 <xref linkend="server"/> also
contains information on various database packages.</para>

<para>The next parts of the book principally 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 this, <xref linkend="kde"/> and <xref linkend="gnome"/> are given their
own parts which are 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 quite near the start of their <acronym>BLFS
</acronym> journey; they are placed here simply because it is the most logical 
place for them.</para>

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

<para>We hope you enjoy using <acronym>BLFS</acronym> and find it useful.</para>

</sect1>