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As a side project, I would like to create my own small linux distro just to learn more about the lower levels of Linux.

I love Ubuntu, but distros such as Ubuntu and Fedora contain many changes in order to deliver an easier user experience. Basically, I want a "vanilla" distribution that will allow me to configure as much as I please without having to remove all kinds of extra software.

From what I read, Gentoo would be good for this, as it seems to be a clean distribution. Is this correct?

P.S. I already saw Linux From Scratch, but I rather hack on an existing distribution than build one from scratch.

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This sounds like more of a programming things, and better suited for SO. – soandos Nov 27 '11 at 4:27
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@soandos - no this question is not related to programming, and so would be off topic at SO. – Paul Nov 27 '11 at 4:35
@Paul to me " lower levels of Linux" means kernel differences and the like. its not really clear perhaps. – soandos Nov 27 '11 at 4:38
@soandos If he had suggested writing drivers or something, then yes, perhaps. But I read it as understanding linux at a lower level, one that is hidden in more user friendly distributions. Even if he were referring to coding, the question is too vague to be useful at SO in any case. – Paul Nov 27 '11 at 13:32
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closed as not constructive by soandos, Paul, studiohack♦ Dec 11 '11 at 15:50

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There isn't really such a thing as a vanilla distribution. All distributions come with various tools to assist in the management of the distribution - at the very least a package manager. But also scripts to assist with configuration and initialisation at boot.

If you are after a minimal type install that you can build on, then Gentoo is a very good option. Debian and Arch also offer a basic install.

Gentoo's main difference to other distributions is that it is compiled, so every application that is installed, is compiled for your hardware. This means things take longer to install, but it also makes a rolling release type distribution (as is Gentoo) more stable.

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