CRUX PPC
A lightweight GNU/Linux distribution for PowerPC!
Handbook for CRUX PPC 3.0
CRUX PPC Handbook - release 3.0
Copyright (c) 2001-2004 Per Liden
Copyright (c) 2004-2005 Giulivo Navigante
Copyright (c) 2005-2013 The CRUX PPC team
This handbook covers the installation, configuration and administration of CRUX PPC and most in general of the CRUX distribution. For further information about the GNU/Linux system see the GNU's Not Unix project page and the Linux Documentation Project.
Preface
Per Liden wrote this handbook. Robert McMeekin converted it to DocBook. Giulivo Navigante and further on The CRUX PPC Team adapted it for PPC users and made a Wiki version. Numerous others have given feedback and improvement suggestions.
Introduction
What is CRUX PPC?
CRUX PPC is a port for the Power Architecture® platform of CRUX, a lightweight and optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at experienced GNU/Linux users. The primary focus of this distribution is "keep it simple", which it reflects in a simple tar.gz-based package system, BSD-style initscripts, and a relatively small collection of trimmed packages. The secondary focus is utilization of new Linux kernel features and recent tools and libraries. CRUX PPC also has a ports system which makes it easy to install and upgrade applications.
Why use CRUX PPC?
There are many GNU/Linux distributions out there these days, so what makes this distribution any better than the others? Well, it's all about taste really. Here are a few hints about the tastes and goals of the people behind CRUX PPC. CRUX PPC is made with simplicity in mind from beginning to end. Making it easy to create new and update old packages is essential; updating a package in CRUX PPC is often just a matter of typing pkgmk -d -u (or ilenia -u). The usage of ports helps keep your packages up-to-date; not the latest bleeding-edge-alpha version, but the latest stable version. Other features include creating packages optimized for your processor, eg. by compiling with -mcpu=G4 -maltivec -mabi=altivec, and avoiding cluttering the filesystem with files you'll never use, eg. /usr/doc/*, etc. If you need more information about a specific program, other than information found in the man-page, a web search engine usually knows all about it. Finally, it strives to use new features as they become available, as long as they are consistent with the rest of the goals.
If you are a somewhat experienced GNU/Linux user that wants a clean and solid GNU/Linux distribution as the foundation of your installation, prefers editing configuration files with an editor to using a GUI, and doesn't hesitate to download and compile programs yourself, then this istribution might suit you well.
License
Packages
Since CRUX PPC is a GNU/Linux distribution, it contains software written by a lot of different people. Each software package comes with its own license, chosen by its author(s). To find out how a particular package is licensed, have a look at its source code.
Build Scripts
Package build scripts in CRUX PPC (initially in package categories ppc) are Copyright © by CRUX PPC Team and licensed through the GNU General Public License. Other build scripts (in package categories x86/core and x86/opt) are Copyright © 2000-2010 by Per Liden and the CRUX development team and licensed through the GNU General Public License.
GPL
Any code or documentation authored by the CRUX PPC Team that comes with CRUX PPC is released under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 or (at your option) later. You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with CRUX PPC.
NO WARRANTY
CRUX PPC is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Use it at YOUR OWN RISK.