Re: [OS:N:] Newbie Question: How to

[Chris Spencer <cspencer cait org>]

On Fri, 2004-02-20 at 11:50, Ya Lin wrote:
> My main goal now is to understand things at the kernel level and I would 
> like to begin by learning to compile Linux.
> -- I am not even sure if I am stating it right, but instead of buying Red 
> Hat Linux as I did before, I would like to see the process where individuals 
> just jump on the Web and say that they have "compile Linux" -- i.e. with 
> their own preferred options?
> --For example, a guy once said that to use Linux for computer forensics you 
> are better off compiling your own OS instead of buying say Red Hat.

This is a great learning experience for people and everyone should do it
at some point...but

One of the great values of the major packaged distributions is security
updates.  If you are running a server or workstation with connection to
the Internet you have to make sure your computer stays patched or you
will be hacked.

Moreover, there is even significant questions to whether compiling your
own kernel is going to translate to better performance on your system.  

We can certainly agree that a poorly compiled kernel will mean worse
performance.  In some cases though even doing everything right with a
stock kernel from kernel.org will result in worse performance.

In the first case a kernel can be poorly compiled by not using optimized
compiler settings for your hardware or by selecting and compiling in
hardware that isn't needed instead of leaving it as a unused module.

Even if you do everything right there the major distros all(?) backport
some code from newer kernels into their stable kernels.  This tends to
add to hardware compatibility and performance.  

Anyway, it is a great thing to do...just don't think that doing it will
lead to better system performance.  In general, it probably won't and it
will take quite a bit of time.

-Chris