Our own version of Linux

[Colonel_Panic]

I am always wondering about "how Linux works".

Descriptions of files and folders is ONE thing, finding a few things ina  few folders is another thing... I find myself asking questions like "what is the minimum LInux I need?" to install QB64, and then to EXECUTE and DEPLOY my executables.

I get no answers, because i know i didnt know how to phrase the question.

SO, I found "Minimal Linux Live" and its a true "minimalist" linux.

Okay, so now BETTER question...
whats the minimum to get the "graphics stack" running, and I am seeing i think i must choose a "window manager". (I want a BASIC one, nothing fancy)

distro-hopping, I have several LINUX distros that i "like" and by that i mean, I like the fact I can just cut and paste executables/folders from a USB onto the desktop, set the "run as exe" flag... and BANG! I am off and running.

I need to identify, what is SIMILAR about these LINUX, so I can figure out "which" window manager I "like". Because? QB64 executables LIKE the same Linux distros.

curiously? this ONE distro, not only does everything install and run perfect? It has a neat trick... its the ONLY linux i have FOUIND yet... that I can specify a 32-bit newimage and screen it, and if its bigger than desktop width and desktop height? SLIDERS automatically appear on that window.

its the ONLY linux distro, on my short list, that does that...

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I realize I cant just copy and paste "GhettoWindowManager" and magically expect my environment to appear instantly, as if i am copying over a NOTEPAD program.

But, this is a great tool for LEARNING whats going on.

the resulting absolute minimum linux shell it makes? weird. There ARE no users, reminds me of DOS.

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I figure a first demo would be simply booting the given image, but having removed the "hello" stuff and replaced it with my own "hello QB64" message, proving i can control "something" and move from there.

apparently, I could (probably) already "run" a qb64 "program" I placed in the file structure at scripting time, but it would be CONSOLE ONLY.

I need "graphics stack" and whatever basic windowing manager my GUI likes to run in.

if i can slowly add JUST whats needed for QB64 IDE + runtime... i could end up with a "lean and mean" system. (plus, I figure there's no WAY this won't teach me SOMETHING about whats going on in Linux.)

[johnno56]

Oh boy.  A fair but possibly difficult question to answer.

I have been using Linux since 2005. I have also been a car owner since 1974. I will be honest. I know more about how the car works than I do Linux. In other words, I am no expert, but based on experience I will try to answer...

First: Minimal distributions are great for what they can do. But they are minimal for a reason. They are small because users are either looking for speed or the resources of the host machine is limited. ie: Memory, Graphics or CPU etc. I have nothing against 'minimal', for "every day" use, they will be enough for most users. But programmers and the like are not "most" users, are they? lol

Here is a simplistic question. As a Linux user, I could also ask, "What is needed to run QB64 on a minimal version of Windows?". The answer would probably be, "Windows does not make 'minimal' versions."

In my opinion, "full" distributions of Linux, would give you the best "out of the box" experience. Pretty much all you need is already there. Sure, QB64 install requires specific libraries, but same is also said for Windows.

Linux's greatest strengths are that it is open source, big community and customisation. These are also its greatest weaknesses... "Minimal", and such like distributions, are "created" for a multitude of reasons... This would be the root cause for "distro hopping"... looking for the "right" distribution to suit your needs. To be honest, you may not find it, because they were 'not' made to suit 'your' needs.

My suggestion, so as to eliminate your "minimal running" query would be, stick to a "major" distribution... Check out distrowatch.com for a short list of distributions.

I apologise for not answering your specific needs... It's just that I do not know.

All I know is that, on Widows, QB64 installs and runs pretty much "out of the box". The same is said, in my case, for Linux mint. It installed and is still running fine.

Like the average car owner, I will eventually learn the basics of operating the car, but will probably never really understand why it 'ticks'...

I suppose I should have started with, "Why a minimal distribution?"

I hope I have not made your situation any worse...

[George McGinn]

If you are looking to build your own Linux OS, here are some resources you should check out.

A minimal Linux OS usually means no GUI or Windows. Everything is done for the command line of a terminal program. For example, the difference between, say Ubuntu 20.04 and Ubuntu 20.04 Server is that the Server version does not have a GUI desktop and the supporting files for it.

And minimal may also mean that only those files necessary are included. If you need, say Python, you'll have to install it. If you need to print, you'll have to install CUPS, etc.

If you are looking to build a customizable version of Linux, check out:

https://www.maketecheasier.com/6-tools-to-easily-create-your-own-custom-linux-distro/

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