Re: [gNewSense-users] Comments on HowToCreateYourOwnGNULinuxDistribution: Steps 1-4

[Karl Goetz]

On Thu, 2008-06-19 at 12:03 -0400, Danny Clark wrote: 
> Below are my notes from getting Builder steps 1-4 working (MediaWiki
> syntax, but should be pretty human-readable); currently do-update is
> compiling things...

My comments are inline.

> 
> One thing I'm not sure about is what REPOAPT is actually used for...
> Time to go look at the code...

I belive this is the gNS repo.

> 
> === Step 2: Debmirror (optional) ===
> At the moment, we are using local mirrors. We should identify a machine
> to use for this that is shared, either by the whole office, or also
> externally.
> 
> To get the GPG key debmirror needs:
> 
>   gpg --keyserver-options http-proxy --keyserver hkp://subkeys.pgp.net
> --recv-keys 437D05B5
> 
> (and then verify/sign it using your preferred methods)
> 
> Because debmirror looks for trustedkeys.gpg, not pubring.gpg:
> 
>   cd ~/.gnupg; ln -s pubring.gpg trustedkeys.gpg

i'm not sure this is needed - could you give the background for it?

> Then:
> <pre>
> HOST=ubuntu.media.mit.edu
> TARGET=/srv/universe
> 
> debmirror --nocleanup --verbose --progress --method=http --host=$HOST
> --arch=i386 \
>  --source --dist=hardy,hardy-security,hardy-updates,hardy-backports \
>  --section=main,universe --ignore-release-gpg --root=ubuntu $TARGET
> 
> debmirror --nocleanup --verbose --progress --method=http --host=$HOST
> --arch=i386 \
>  --nosource --dist=hardy,hardy-security,hardy-updates,hardy-backports
> --section=main/debian-installer \
>  --root=ubuntu $TARGET
> </pre>

(for the list dwellers) We spoke about this on IRC, and this step is
updated already.

> 
> === Step 4: Configuration ===
> Do not edit the config file directly; instead, set the variables in a
> "config.local" file. Any changes you make to config will be overwritten
> during the next "svn update".

You sure about that? it should only merge/conflict.

> 
> You need to <code>chmod +x config.local</code>, because for some reason
> <code>config</code> tests for it with the "<code>test -x</code>" command.
> 

In my checkout (which i've just performed) config is +x from the start,
and "test -x" doesnt appear in the repo.
address@hidden:~/public_html/builder$ grep -R "test -x" *
address@hidden:~/public_html/builder$ 

> Possible errors in config file text:
> * "SIGNINGKEY is your GPG fingerprint from step 1, it should not contain
> any spaces." - They actually mean "GPG Key ID", not "GPG fingerprint".

updated

> * "LOGOLETTER is the letter that will be your logo." - This should
> actually read "LOGO_LETTER".

Updated

> 
> ==== Example config.local (stock) ====
> This uses stock values copied from the stock config file (svn r192).

Then i'll cut it out :)
Did you add more comments? if so i'll re-read it more carefully ...

> 
> ==== Example config.local (dclark) ====
> <pre>
> # gNewSense Builder - config.local file
> # "Steps" reference http://cluestick/index.php?title=GNewSense
> 
> # MIRROR is either the mirror you setup in step 3, or an Ubuntu
> # mirror. It should contain the security packages.
> MIRROR=http://127.0.0.1
> 
> # MIRRORDIST is the distribution in the mirror, usually 'hardy'.
> MIRRORDIST=hardy
> 
> # DISTRONAME is what you want to call your distribution which should
> # consist of only letters and numbers.
> DISTRONAME=gNS4FSF
> 
> # RELEASE is the name of your release. Your release should be all
> # lowercase as it will appear in paths.
> RELEASE=deltah
> 
> # TAGLINE is used in the bootsplash and login screen.
> TAGLINE="Free as in the Free Software Foundation"
> 
> # SIGNINGKEY is your GPG fingerprint from step 1, it should not
> # contain any spaces.
> SIGNINGKEY=7E2BF282
> 
> # BASEDIR is the directory under which the repository, livecd and
> # temporary files will be put.
> BASEDIR=/srv/gnewsense
> 
> # REPODST is where the mirror will be built in the filesystem
> # ($BASEDIR/(lowercase distribution name)).
> ## Not changed from config
> 
> # REPOAPT is where the build scripts will pull packages from, so you
> # should setup Apache to serve this.
> REPOAPT=http://us.archive.gnewsense.org/gnewsense
> 
> # DOMAIN is used to create the default sources.list when
> # installing. We assume an Ubuntu-like setup where you have
> # archive.DOMAIN and security.DOMAIN and subdomains for all the
> # country codes.
> DOMAIN=gnewsense.org
> 
> # RSYNC_DEST is where the generated repo and livecds should be rsynced
> # to by a push-repo or push-cd.
> ## Not changed from config
> 
> # LOGO_LETTER is the letter that will be your logo.
> LOGO_LETTER=f
> </pre>
> 

kk

-- 
Karl Goetz <address@hidden>

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