Changeset 64eb25d

Timestamp:

05/24/2009 05:57:33 AM (15 years ago)

Author:

Gerard Beekmans <gerard@…>

Branches:

10.0, 10.0-rc1, 10.1, 10.1-rc1, 11.0, 11.0-rc1, 11.0-rc2, 11.0-rc3, 11.1, 11.1-rc1, 11.2, 11.2-rc1, 11.3, 11.3-rc1, 12.0, 12.0-rc1, 12.1, 12.1-rc1, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.5-systemd, 7.6, 7.6-systemd, 7.7, 7.7-systemd, 7.8, 7.8-systemd, 7.9, 7.9-systemd, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 9.0, 9.1, arm, bdubbs/gcc13, ml-11.0, multilib, renodr/libudev-from-systemd, s6-init, trunk, xry111/arm64, xry111/arm64-12.0, xry111/clfs-ng, xry111/lfs-next, xry111/loongarch, xry111/loongarch-12.0, xry111/loongarch-12.1, xry111/mips64el, xry111/pip3, xry111/rust-wip-20221008, xry111/update-glibc

Children:

77355e7b

Parents:

e311865

Message:

Draft version of replacement Foreword.

git-svn-id: ​http://svn.linuxfromscratch.org/LFS/trunk/BOOK@8907 4aa44e1e-78dd-0310-a6d2-fbcd4c07a689

File:

• prologue/foreword.xml (modified) (1 diff)

prologue/foreword.xml

@@ -11 +11 @@
   <title>Foreword</title>
 
-  <para>My adventures in Linux began in 1998 when I downloaded and
-  installed my first distribution. After working with it for a while, I
-  discovered issues I definitely would have liked to see improved upon.
-  For example, I didn't like the arrangement of the bootscripts or the way
-  programs were configured by default. I tried a number of alternative
-  distributions to address these issues, yet each had its pros and cons.
-  Finally, I realized that if I wanted full satisfaction from my Linux
-  system, I would have to build my own from scratch.</para>
+<para>My journey to learn and better understand Linux began over a decade ago,
+back in 1998. I had just installed my first Linux distribution and had
+quickly become intrigued with the whole concept and philosophy behind
+Linux.</para> 
 
-  <para>What does this mean? I resolved not to use pre-compiled packages
-  of any kind, nor CD-ROMs or boot disks that would install basic
-  utilities. I would use my current Linux system to develop my own
-  customized system. This <quote>perfect</quote> Linux system would then
-  have the strengths of various systems without their associated
-  weaknesses. In the beginning, the idea was rather daunting, but I
-  remained committed to the idea that a system could be built that would
-  conform to my needs and desires rather than to a standard that just
-  did not fit what I was looking for.</para>
+<para>There are always many ways to accomplish a single task. The same can be
+said about Linux distributions. A great many have existed over the years.
+Some still exist, some have morphed into something else yet others have
+been relegated to our memories.</para>
 
-  <para>After sorting through issues such as circular dependencies and
-  compile-time errors, I created a custom-built Linux system that was
-  fully operational and suitable to individual needs. This process also
-  allowed me to create compact and streamlined Linux systems which are
-  faster and take up less space than traditional operating systems. I
-  called this system a Linux From Scratch system, or an LFS system for
-  short.</para>
+<para>They all do things differently to suit the needs of their target audience.
+Because there existed so many different ways to accomplish the same end
+goal, I began to realize I no longer had to be limited by any one
+implementation. Prior to discovering Linux, we simply put up with issues in
+other Operating Systems as you had no choice. It was what it was, whether
+you liked it or not. With Linux, the concept of choice began to emerge. If
+you didn't like something, you were free, even encouraged, to change
+it.</para>
 
-  <para>As I shared my goals and experiences with other members of the
-  Linux community, it became apparent that there was sustained interest
-  in the ideas set forth in my Linux adventures. Such custom-built LFS
-  systems serve not only to meet user specifications and requirements, but
-  also serve as an ideal learning opportunity for programmers and system
-  administrators to enhance their Linux skills. Out of this broadened
-  interest, the Linux From Scratch Project was born.</para>
+<para>I tried a number of distributions and could not decide on any one. They
+were great systems in their own right. It wasn't a matter of right and
+wrong anymore. It had become a matter of personal taste. With all that
+choice available, it became apparent that there would not be a single
+system that would be perfect for me. So I set out to create my own Linux
+system that would fully conform to my personal preferences.</para>
 
-  <para>This <emphasis>Linux From Scratch</emphasis> book provides
-  readers with the background and instruction to design and build custom
-  Linux systems. This book highlights the Linux from Scratch project and
-  the benefits of using this system. Users can dictate all aspects of
-  their system, including directory layout, script setup, and security.
-  The resulting system will be compiled completely from the source code,
-  and the user will be able to specify where, why, and how programs are
-  installed. This book allows readers to fully customize Linux systems
-  to their own needs and allows users more control over their
-  system.</para>
+<para>To truly make it my own system, I resolved to compile everything from
+source code instead of using pre-compiled binary packages. This
+<quote>perfect</quote> Linux system would have the strengths of various
+systems without their perceived weaknesses. At first, the idea was rather
+daunting. I remained committed to the idea that such a system could be
+built.</para>
 
-  <para>I hope you will have a great time working on your own LFS
-  system, and enjoy the numerous benefits of having a system that is
-  truly <emphasis>your own</emphasis>.</para>
+<para>After sorting through issues such as circular dependencies and compile-time
+errors, a custom-built Linux system was finally built. It was fully
+operational and perfectly usable like any of the other Linux systems out
+there at the time. But it was my own creation. It was very satisfying to
+have put together such a system yourself. The only thing better would have
+been to create each piece of software yourself. This was the next best
+thing.</para>
+
+<para>As I shared my goals and experiences with other members of the Linux
+community, it became apparent that there was a sustained interest in those
+ideas. It quickly became apparent that such custom-built Linux systems
+serve not only to meet user specific requirements, but also serve as an
+ideal learning opportunity for programmers and system administrators to
+enhance their (existing) Linux skills. Out of this broadened interest, the
+<emphasis>Linux From Scratch Project</emphasis> was born.</para>
+
+<para>This Linux From Scratch book is the central core around that project. It
+provides the background and instructions necessary for you to design and
+build your own system. While this book provides a template that will result
+in a correctly working system, you are free to alter the instructions to
+suit yourself . that is the whole point of the project after all. You
+remain in control; we just lend a helping hand to get you started on your
+own journey.</para>
+
+<para>I sincerely hope you will have a great time working on your own Linux From
+Scratch system, and enjoy the numerous benefits of having a system that is
+truly your own.</para>
 
 <literallayout>--