iTWire - How to customise a Linux distro into a plug and play system

How to customise a Linux distro into a plug and play system

by David M Williams
Thursday, 08 November 2007
Page 1 of 3 The world is on the verge of something stupendous: recent times have seen the launch of two customised Linux distros which just plug and play. Everex released the gPC, running gOS, based on Ubuntu, and well-known hardware vendor Asus unfurled the Xandros-based Eee subnotebook. Want to get in on the action? Here’s how to make your own special PC. Register now to win a Canon EOS 500D On the one hand, store-built or brand-name Linux-based PCs aren’t new. Dell have their own range, and we previously talked about online stores with their own range of laptops. Yet the gPC and Eee are both remarkable for their shockingly low price; the gPC additionally so for penetrating Walmart shelves and having a distribution network not dissimilar to the Commodore 64’s strategy back in the ‘80’s. Sure, both machines are low-spec. That’s a strength; by using fairly mainstream hardware components, the manufacturers have relieved themselves of difficult driver problems. And, what’s more, due to the cost of the parts selected the overall system price is a compelling argument for adoption almost by itself. Together, they bring desktop computing an order of magnitude cheaper. This isn’t restricted to geeks and techies, but finally puts something unique in the hands of any man, woman and child: an affordable computer which is software-laden and which just works. They are ideal machines for first time computer buyers, the perfect computers for students, and excellent machines for anyone in general where price and reliability are issues. If performance is more your gig, or you have your own range of computers, there’s no reason you can’t produce your own Linux PC that similarly boots and runs. The first step is a very important one; hardware has to be chosen which is Linux compatible. In time, you might reasonably expect to walk into any computer or electronics store and buy a load of components of your choice and transmute them into a functional Linux computer. Alas, that time is not now. When it comes to hardware and Linux, there’s three outcomes. The first – and best – is that Linux will correctly detect the hardware and has full support already. The component will operate as expected, without loss of features or functionality, and without any intervention required. The second possibility is that Linux won’t recognise the hardware, or even if it can detect it, it won’t be fully operational. However, the hardware can be made to work, with some help, some Google searches, some mailing lists and forums, and a bit of work. You might just need to download a driver and make some configuration mods, or something progressively more complex be it recompiling the kernel through to developing the driver yourself. Thirdly, and if you live on the bleeding edge or in a world of obscure technology this is always a possibility, the hardware just won’t work no matter what you try. It’s possible the screaming fast video card you bought to play Oblivion IV with all options turned on just has no support under Linux, and especially if it’s up to the community of volunteers – rather than the vendor – to provide drivers. Clearly, your best option for a Linux PC – especially one that is going to be easily reproducible in bulk – is the first. So, how can you be sure to find Linux friendly kit? << First page < 1 2 3 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>