Gentoo/Linux Newbie here...

propermethodz · n00b Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

So tonight I decided to build a kernel. It was as difficult as everyone forewarned me for someone who has zero programing experience.

Some background on me:
I understand the ins and outs of a Windows environment for the most part. I grasp Windows Server environments and love reading on computer hardware. With that said, my Linux background is choppy and vague. A few years ago I decided to setup a gaming server and it went well with a debian install. I needed my hand held and I really didn't learn much but it gave me some basics for navigating directories, running make commands and editing config files.

This really didn't give me much in terms of directory structure or configuration of a kernel. I'm still kinda lost on many of the Gentoo/Linux settings and for this kernel tonight I decided just to go with default settings.

I plan on wiping the kernel and doing it over again tomorrow, but before I do, I'd like some suggestions on settings for my kernel. I'm sure the first question would be, "what do I plan on using this box for?". Well, I'm not exactly sure. I think I'd like to make linux my primary operating system but don't want to give up the ability to play games. I've also got a desire to get into programing but am not sure where to start. It was suggested to me to start with linux and begin to troubleshoot it before you do anything.

With that said,
How should I setup my kernel so that it's versatile enough to potentially be a Windows replacement and let me do all the things I used to do, but still run lean and perform well for gaming?

mark_alec · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:18 am Post subject:

Moved from Gentoo Chat to Kernel & Hardware.

Enable support in the kernel for any hardware that you use, or are likely to use (e.g. external devices). The programs you select to install will play a larger part in what type of system you have.
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propermethodz · n00b Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Hu · Administrator Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 23082

I think he is referring to software. Gentoo has a wide variety of packages, so you can use it to build a NAT device, a gaming rig(*), a workstation for developing software, a mail server, a web server, a DNS server, etc. You do not need to choose just one. You can mix and match pieces, subject to a few restrictions where packages do not interoperate nicely. Portage will warn you if you try to merge a package that is blocked by another package. In my experience, these restrictions have never been blocked me from doing something I wanted to do.

(*) Support for Windows games varies widely, and is generally better for games which are older or for which the manufacturer did not ship aggressive copy prevention measures. There are games available for Linux, and you have the option of retaining a Windows install on the system if your favorite games do not work correctly under Linux. If you plan to retain a Windows install, I suggest you create a full backup of it first. It would be very unfortunate to destroy your Windows install due to a mistake while installing Gentoo.

propermethodz · n00b Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

is there a such list of replacement programs for commonly used window's programs?

mark_alec · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

http://gentoo-wiki.com/Windows_equivalent_programs
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propermethodz · n00b Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 7