On Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:35:54 -0400 (EDT)
Rob Owens <rowens@???> wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Robert Storey" <robert.storey@???>
>
> > Other suggestions for non-systemd software are welcome. The main
> > criteria is that it actually has to be something useful, something
> > that I might install and use daily. Thus, far-out stuff like Minix
> > is not a consideration, even if it's fun to play with.
>
> I'd suggest Funtoo, if you haven't reviewed it already. Start here:
>
> http://www.funtoo.org/Install
>
> Many reviews I read form their opinion of a distro based on how easy
> the install process is. If that is your plan, don't bother. The
> install takes a while, and you probably won't really appreciate the
> distro until you have used it for a while.
>
> -Rob

Rob is right about the difficulty of installing Funtoo. As a matter of
fact, I'd say he's understated it.

I'd go so far as to say Funtoo is only for technically proficient
people, and unlike *buntu, Debian, Devuan, OpenSuSE and Manjaro
(systemd or OpenRC), cannot be used by the guy whose entire
relationship with a computer is running programs. In my opinion, Funtoo
installation requires a soul-deep understanding of the concept of
chroot installation and configuration: Not only the Hows, but the Whys.

Funtoo's for a guy like me, not a guy like the typical *buntu user.

If you choose to install Funtoo, I'd *very* highly recommend you do it
two or three times on a Qemu virtual machine, because it goes fairly
quickly (8 hours) there. On metal it might take a day or a weekend,
depending on the metal. Make sure the VM has at least 28GB of disk
space, you need 14 just for kernel compilation alone.

If you're not yet familiar with the procedure and philosophy of chroot
installation and configuration and Grubbing, I'd recommend before doing
anything with Funtoo or Arch or Slackware or any other chroot
installer, you install Plop Linux several times on a VM.

https://www.plop.at/en/ploplinux/index.html

http://troubleshooters.com/linux/diy/plopinst.htm

Plop Linux is incredibly simple, and if your experience is anything
like mine, it will make lightbulbs go on concerning all sorts of Linux
concepts, including chroot installation and configuration and bustins.

Once you truly understand the whole chroot thing, Funtoo installation
will make sense and will be approachable.

SteveT

Steve Litt
August 2015 featured book: Troubleshooting: Just the Facts
http://www.troubleshooters.com/tjust