About the GNUStep GNU/Linux [Live CD]

In addition to the widget set, GNUStep is a [GNU]/[Linux] [Linux distributions|distribution] based on [Morphix], designed to be run from the CD. It boots directly into [X Window System|X] running [WindowMaker], and contains all of the major [GNUStep] applications, as well as other popular programs and a [Dillo|lightweight web browser]. Like all [Morphix] variants, GNUStep has a simple graphical hard disk installer.

GNUStep and GNU software

GNUStep is one of few Linux distributions that focus very heavily on [GNU] software and tools. The distribution has [GRUB] and [Parted] to replace [Lilo] and [fdisk], and of course uses the [GNUStep] environment with [WindowMaker] instead of one of the more major desktop environments. The CD also features a CD image of the actual [GNU] system, complete with [Hurd]. The increase in GNU software makes the system feel more coherent than some other Linux systems.

I use GNUStep primarily as a [rescue] disc, since it comes with [Parted] and [Grub] and is very hassle-free, but I also have it installed on an old [Pentium] box as a toy server.

Installation

The first thing I do when I install a [Morphix] distro is switch to a root console (Try ctrl-alt-F6) and change the password (with [passwd]), then switch back to [X] (Ctrl-alt-F7). You can then su in a terminal and run [amock].

[Partition]ing and [bootloader]: I use [GRUB] on all my boxes, so I typically skip the bootloader stage and set up GRUB independently. As far as partitioning goes, the default [Morphix] installer calls [cfdisk] of which I am not very fond, so I partition with [Parted] or [QTParted] beforehand.

Actual installation: Once you've partitioned and selected your root partition and whatever other partitions you dig, the installer takes over and dumps everything onto disk, so be warned that you can't pick and choose what you want until you're done installing.

After the install, you can log in as root and use [apt-get] to install or remove anything your heart desires. My first move is usually to [apt-get] [install] [evilwm], but that's just me.

Software

The ISO image itself is about a 500 MB download available from the web site. Some of the software on the disc:

Rescue tools:
- [GNU] [Parted], [QTParted], [gpart]
- [GNU] [GRUB] (And [Lilo])
- Normal disk and [Unix] utilities
Applications:
- [GNUStep] programs for everything conceivable
- [GNUStep] development tools
- Graphics: [GIMP] 2.0, [Blender], [Wings3d]
- Games: [Jump 'n Bump], others
[GNU]/[Hurd] K6 [ISO] (under /cdrom)

Links and sources:

[Linux], [GNU], [Parted], [GRUB], [WindowMaker], [OpenStep], [Gimp], [Hurd]
GNUStep [Live CD] home page: http://www.linuks.mine.nu/gnustep/
GNUStep framework: http://www.gnustep.org
GNU: http://www.gnu.org

GNUstep (thing)