Hello from a new Gentoo user!

ryan.merck · n00b Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 3

Hello, my name is Ryan Merck. I am a new Gentoo user. I've been using Linux for a couple years now, and after becoming bored with Fedora and Ubuntu, I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted more of a challenge in my operating system. So
I switched to Slackware. I had some trouble with installing and configuring it, but got it working eventually.

I didn't really have a problem with Slackware, I was content in tinkering with configuration settings and the like, but I still wanted a challenge, and I was appaled with the deplorable state of Slackware forums and how ruthlessly they are trolled.

Since I felt I could no longer depend on forums and support base to get quick answers for my questions, I decided to get on the hunt for a new Linux distro. A few friends of mine on a gun forum had talked about how ridiculously difficult Gentoo is to install and streamline for performance. And in remembering that, the first thing that I went to do was check out the support forums. I have been very impressed, I've seen alot more people reaching out to fellow Gentooers in need. And with that in mind, I decided to take the plunge.

Four days ago, I downloaded the minimal install cd, coming to the conclusion that I was already set to see a difficult operating system through until my satisfaction, and I didn't want to take the easy way out (it didn't help reading all the bugs about the GUI installer anyway).

I've compiled this kernel 6 times in the last 4 days. I've screwed my system up, and configured it in such a way that it would not boot. I've started from scratch each time, following the x86 handbook, and reading a plethora of documentation. I've manually configured the kernel, I've genkerneled the kernel and I've slept a total of 16 hours in the last 4 days (on vacation so no work to be done right now), buried my hands in my face, moaned in agony, brought to the edge of tears by grief and frustration.

But here I am. I have my fully functional and minimal Gentoo 2.6.23-r6 kernel optimized for my system. My total boot time (minus the 5second time out from grub) is 39 seconds, and all of my hardware works fine.

I had a couple things working against me for this install. I only have one computer, and my internet connection comes from a Verizon Wireless PC5750 EVDO card. My entire install has been over EVDO, and my first major hurdle was connecting to the internet (sure is different writing a script from scratch as opposed to relying on kpppd!).

Anyhoo, here I am, with a perfectly simple system. I post to you all on my EVDO connection using my links browser while I wait the seemingly endless kde emerge.

I just wanted to say, as frustrated and furious I have been in the last 4 days. I have learned more about the internals and workings of Linux than I have in my entire experience of using it. I am thankful that I have had this opportunity to learn this wealth of information, and if I had to do it all over again... I'll just chroot after mke2fsing some partitions :-)

You haven't seen the last of me, I forsee many problems that I may have as I update my installation and emerge more software into it. But I'm here to stay. And having a blast doing it.

SLBMEH · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:32 am Post subject: Re: Hello from a new Gentoo user!

Welcome.

poly_poly-man · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:33 am Post subject:

Look out for expat!!!!

Welcome aboard, mate! What kind of hardware you got going for ye?

That KDE build is a bitch, but if you let it run overnight, and especially if you have decent hardware like me (

), it's fine.

poly-p man
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Unne · l33t Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 616

Welcome. Thankfully you shouldn't have to go through an install from scratch again for a long time, if you manage your system wisely.

ryan.merck · n00b Joined: 07 Feb 2008 Posts: 3

poly_poly-man · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:52 am Post subject:

The Unknown · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:10 am Post subject:

ssitar05 · n00b Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 14

kicker69101 · n00b Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 62

I'm on my ~20th rebuild of my kernel. I guess thats what I get for remove first, ask questions later.

Welcome!

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lightvhawk0 · Guru Joined: 07 Nov 2003 Posts: 388

I remember the nights of ordering pizza, and drinking all the dew that I can afford and installing gentoo with a few friends. It was an endless task, forums were my a great asset. Now I contribute when I can, and it's been great. I've learned the most from gentoo and freebsd than all the years of using windows/dos/mac os'es

With all that said welcome
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Workaphobia · n00b Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 23

I don't know that I'd make my gentoo installs out to be quite *that* grueling. It always takes me a while to configure a kernel, but I've done it a couple times on identical hardware so I don't run into too many problems. We'll see if that becomes a major issue when I finally upgrade to something newer than 6 years old.

I am fond of saying that I use gentoo because I'm a masochist, but every time I make a fresh install and emerge kde-base/kdebase-startkde, and see that desktop environment as blank as fresh snow, I'm reminded why I do it.

poly_poly-man · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

kernelOfTruth · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject:

d2_racing · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:37 pm Post subject:

Welcome

NathanZachary · Moderator Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 2605

Welcome to Gentoo. As said, we have all been through the trials and tribulations of installing Gentoo, and then chrooting back into the installation environment to yet again, recompile a kernel or reconfigure grub, et cetera. It can be quite frustrating, but the end result is a deep understanding of your computer, and Linux. If you need any help along the way, the community here is fantastic.

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d2_racing · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the installation process in indeed an experience

nutbar21 · Apprentice Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Posts: 205 Location: USA

My first time was a stage 1. It took 3 tries in ~5 days

Welcome to the fold!
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seqizz · Tux's lil' helper Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 103

Wellcome to hell :twisted:

Add me to the list, which named "kernel mads"

not first time for me, but a turn-back after 3 years..
i'm still compiling the kernel, i didn't count.. 5.. or more.. Thanks to my attansic ethernet card which is using "atl1" & 2.6.24 kernel.. i think this time i'll success, because trying upgrading over sabayon..
i love gentoo, it teachs :wink:

i'll count the seconds too, will come.. : )

sorry for english but you get it, huh? :roll:

kernelOfTruth · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:46 am Post subject:

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 12:47 am Post subject:

ryan.merck,

Welcome to gentoo.

Even old hands mess up things sometimes. There are a few rules of thumb to help you on your way.

1. Don't Panic :)
2. When it breaks, have a way to go back
3. Make it work first, make it faster/prettier/better after.
4. Keep at least one old working kernel, just in case.
5. Reinstalling won't fix it, its just another opportunity to make a different mistake

Above all, have fun.
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Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

d2_racing · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:36 am Post subject:

When you box will be up and running, just to a Stage 4 or a Stage 5 backup

Ctrl+Alt+Del · Guru Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 326 Location: .de

marcus0263 · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:15 am Post subject:

wuzzerd · Guru Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 467 Location: New Mexico

Welcome.

I started using Linux a few months before W95 came out. :lol:

Thought I knew a lot and I guess I did, until I started using Gentoo about 3 years ago.

Someday I'll read all of NeddySeagoon's posts.

NathanZachary · Moderator Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 2605