Documentation/crux-wiki/Handbook3-7-Intro

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[[Profiles.PerLiden | Per Lidén]] wrote this handbook. RobertMcMeekin converted
it to DocBook, the [[About | CRUX team]] made a Wiki version. Numerous others
have given feedback and improvement suggestions.
! Introduction
!! What is CRUX?
CRUX is a lightweight Linux distribution for the x86-64 architecture targeted at
experienced 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 features and recent tools and
libraries. CRUX also has a ports system which makes it easy to install and
upgrade applications.
!! Why use CRUX?
There are many Linux distributions out there these days, so what makes CRUX such
an appealing choice to its users? The choice of distribution is a matter of
taste, really. Here are a few hints about the tastes and goals of the people
behind CRUX. CRUX 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 is often just a matter of typing %fn%sudo prt-get update $MYPKG%%.
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
-march=x86-64, 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, Google usually knows all about it.
Although CRUX strives to use new features as they become available, you will
never have to deal with a frenzy of innovation that leaves you with an
unrecognizable system. A CRUX user from the early years could abandon the
distribution for two decades, then install the latest release and feel right at
home.
In short, CRUX might suit you very well if you are:
* A somewhat experienced Linux user who wants a clean and solid Linux
distribution as the foundation of your installation.
* Someone who does not hesitate to download and compile programs from the source.
* Someone who values consistency and stability in the essential components of
the operating system.
%lfloat% http://crux.nu/doc/images/note.png
'''Note'''[[]]
''If you are using CRUX, we highly recommend to subscribing to our low-volume
[[MailingLists | mailing list]] because security updates and updates that need
user action are announced there.''
!!License
!!!Packages
Since CRUX is a 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
All package build scripts in CRUX (in package categories %fn%core%%, %fn%opt%%,
%fn%xorg%%, and %fn%compat-32%%) are Copyright © 2000-2022 by Per Lidén and the
CRUX development team and are released under the
[[http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html | GNU General Public License]].
!!! NO WARRANTY
CRUX 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.