[sf-lug] [Made from scratch]

[Michael Paoli]

Submitted for your consideration:
Debian[1] still supports 32-bit ("i386")[2]
and appears to have no plans (at least thus far as I'm aware)
to drop that architecture.

Debian also supports more architectures than any other Linux distro,
and more Linux distros are either Debian or based upon Debian, than
any other distro.  Debian also has a very large number of quite well
supported packages.  Debian is also of excellent quality - and has
quite the solid track record.

One of the criteria I look at when selecting/recommending distributions,
is installed base (how many users/systems using it), support,
and track record.  The further one goes out there with smaller installed
base, less or poorer support, poor and/or short track record, the more
likely one is to have issues/problems now and/or somewhat further down
the road.

My own bittorrent data also shows the Debian 32 bit images continue to be
pretty popular:
   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Filename                                          Size   Download     
  Upload |
| debian-8.11.0-amd64-CD-1.iso                  627.0  M   0    B/s    
0    B/s |
| ^---  download succeeded!                                0.0  M     
74.9  M   |
| debian-8.11.0-amd64-i386-netinst.iso          564.0  M   0    B/s    
0    B/s |
| ^---  download succeeded!                                0.0  M     
20.5  M   |
| debian-8.11.0-i386-CD-1.iso                   639.0  M   0    B/s    
0    B/s |
| ^---  download succeeded!                                0.0  M    
176.6  M   |
| debian-9.5.0-amd64-i386-netinst.iso           628.0  M   0    B/s    
0    B/s |
| ^---  download succeeded!                                0.0  M      
1.1  G   |
| debian-9.5.0-amd64-xfce-CD-1.iso              640.0  M   0    B/s    
0    B/s |
| ^---  download succeeded!                                0.0  M    
997.2  M   |
| debian-9.5.0-i386-xfce-CD-1.iso               641.0  M   0    B/s    
0    B/s |
| ^---  download succeeded!                                0.0  M      
1.6  G   |
|                                                                       
         |
|                                                                       
         |
|                                                                       
         |
|                                                                       
         |
|                                                                       
         |
|                                                                       
         |
|                                                Totals:   0    B/s    
0    B/s |
|                                                          0.0  M      
3.9  G   |
| New torrent: debian-8.11.0-amd64-CD-1.iso.torrent                     
         |
   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Footnotes/references/excerpts:
1. https://www.debian.org/
2. https://www.debian.org/releases/stretch/i386/ch02s01.html.en#idm272
https://www.archlinux.org/news/the-end-of-i686-support/
https://archlinux32.org/

> From: maestro <maestro415 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [sf-lug] [Made from scratch]
> Date: Wed, 29 Aug 2018 01:06:14 -0700

> I have a box I am going to offer for use at the meeting Sunday 2018.*09*.02
> to do a distro build from 'scratch' meaning 'naked' hard drive and possibly
> even reflashing BIOS [winking shamelessly @ Ken S. for hopeful help doing
> this].
>
> The allotted time of a meeting will not be enough for a full memtest/check
> sooo...that will not be happening.
>
>
> Online guides will be welcomed as the distro of choice has badass wikis and
> documentation and you will learn how to use them and find answers without
> anyone talking down to you or trolling you...
> The distro will be Archlinux32 which is a community 'migration' since the
> main Arch Linux has thrown 32bit versions away. Don't panic, if you don't
> know what the hell that means you'll see when you attend...
>
>
> I have done a build from 'scratch' already so I know the iso is good and
> the repositories are actively kept fresh [U.S. that is can't/won't speak
> for the others]
>
>
> This building of a distro is especially good for newer users and those
> wanting to improve their command line [that's what you type in the terminal
> when someone asks you to open one ;-)) ] in a friendly NON-judgemental.
> NON-narcissistic, environment which hopefully the teachers and other
> experienced users will be keen to help and answer questions and cuss at
> things with you...
>
>
> The command line will be used for the whole build [you won't have pretty
> pictures yet but will bring them to life] and it's a 15" [I think?] display
> so with the font made large enough many will be able to see and if there is
> enough interest folks may take turns 'driving' for different stages...
>
>
> 'IF' this sounds interesting to you and you are keen to learn more Linux,
> learn about Arch Linux and see the differences to Debian based distros, and
> not feel intimidated by tech or 'some' of  its minions and create something
> kewl please respond to this thread as should no one express interest I wont
> bring the box to do it.
>
>
> Should this go forward we will do a debian based distro from 'scratch'
> next...
>
>
> It's all up to YOU...
>
>
> Let me know...