Linux distros for specific goals?
Speaking of interesting ideas..perhaps, I have a question. Given how many many Linux distributions exist, I am wondering if it is say a basic aspect of the os to be scripted for specific goals? For example a distribution that combines tools important to accounting, or home security or music making or so forth? Karen
On Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 2:43 PM Karen Lewellen via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org> wrote:
Speaking of interesting ideas..perhaps, I have a question. Given how many many Linux distributions exist, I am wondering if it is say a basic aspect of the os to be scripted for specific goals? For example a distribution that combines tools important to accounting, or home security or music making or so forth? Karen
There have been / are Linux distributions done with very specific goals, here are some examples: - Damn Vulnerable Linux (DVL). This Linux is packed with old, known vulnerable programs and / or badly configured programs. This is a distribution where an instructor can put a DVL box in front of a student, tell them "This machine has security issues. Find and fix the issues (there are a lot of issues to find :-) ). - FreshTomato Linux. This is a Linux designed to control Broadcom based routers. In other words a Linux focused on moving data around a network. - Ubuntu Studio. A version of Ubuntu focused on multimedia production.
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That is an interesting selection, especially the security teaching one. How easy is it therefore, if someone wants, for say an end user to script their own goal focused Linux setup? Clearly users who know the software well I mean. I understand that the open source lab hosts lots of larger projects. what I am picturing is just creating from the various packages, a tool that solves a problem for a user personally? Karen On Tue, 26 Aug 2025, Colin McGregor wrote:
On Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 2:43 PM Karen Lewellen via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org> wrote:
Speaking of interesting ideas..perhaps, I have a question. Given how many many Linux distributions exist, I am wondering if it is say a basic aspect of the os to be scripted for specific goals? For example a distribution that combines tools important to accounting, or home security or music making or so forth? Karen
There have been / are Linux distributions done with very specific goals, here are some examples:
- Damn Vulnerable Linux (DVL). This Linux is packed with old, known vulnerable programs and / or badly configured programs. This is a distribution where an instructor can put a DVL box in front of a student, tell them "This machine has security issues. Find and fix the issues (there are a lot of issues to find :-) ).
- FreshTomato Linux. This is a Linux designed to control Broadcom based routers. In other words a Linux focused on moving data around a network.
- Ubuntu Studio. A version of Ubuntu focused on multimedia production.
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Sector-specific distro will include relevant packages as default. Eg. Ubuntu Studio will install shit loads of softwares related to A/V. But, users will still have to know how to use them. So, if it's just matter of installing the right softwares, then you can do that from any Ubuntu distros. Eg. You can install "full-kde" in Linux Mint, though I'm told Kubuntu has done some customizations. So, your comment, "a tool that solves a problem for a user personally", is too vague. What is your question? On 2025-08-26 16:47, Karen Lewellen via Talk wrote:
That is an interesting selection, especially the security teaching one. How easy is it therefore, if someone wants, for say an end user to script their own goal focused Linux setup? Clearly users who know the software well I mean. I understand that the open source lab hosts lots of larger projects. what I am picturing is just creating from the various packages, a tool that solves a problem for a user personally? Karen
On Tue, 26 Aug 2025, Colin McGregor wrote:
On Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 2:43 PM Karen Lewellen via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org> wrote:
Speaking of interesting ideas..perhaps, I have a question. Given how many many Linux distributions exist, I am wondering if it is say a basic aspect of the os to be scripted for specific goals? For example a distribution that combines tools important to accounting, or home security or music making or so forth? Karen
There have been / are Linux distributions done with very specific goals, here are some examples:
- Damn Vulnerable Linux (DVL). This Linux is packed with old, known vulnerable programs and / or badly configured programs. This is a distribution where an instructor can put a DVL box in front of a student, tell them "This machine has security issues. Find and fix the issues (there are a lot of issues to find :-) ).
- FreshTomato Linux. This is a Linux designed to control Broadcom based routers. In other words a Linux focused on moving data around a network.
- Ubuntu Studio. A version of Ubuntu focused on multimedia production.
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I want one for running a hypervisor from a read-only media. Why? because at least some malware will attack the hypervisor, not the guest. Initially this would be a dvd, but eventally a usb or sdc card with a write protect switch. Or (if possible) an adapter for a pata disk that has a switch to suppress writes. yes, many guests would be on r/w disks, as would be swap. home directories would be r/w if not (yet) i once heard of a distro intended for one to customize (add software) and re-burn a new image to run as a live DVD. With this hypervisor, any production guests would be run also from read-only media, in delta (?) mode. Carey
On 08/26/2025 1:42 PM CDT Karen Lewellen via Talk <talk@lists.gtalug.org> wrote:
Speaking of interesting ideas..perhaps, I have a question. Given how many many Linux distributions exist, I am wondering if it is say a basic aspect of the os to be scripted for specific goals? For example a distribution that combines tools important to accounting, or home security or music making or so forth? Karen
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participants (4)
-
CAREY SCHUG -
Colin McGregor -
Karen Lewellen -
William Park