
                       Why (re-)building a distribution
                                       

[ For fun and learning ]

Building ROCK Linux can be fun becouse ...
 * a lot of people just like it

Building ROCK Linux can be learning becouse ...
 * the build scripts are small, simple and easy to read
 * it's easy to 'just try' something and see the results

[ Optimization ]

Rebuilding ROCK Linux allows you to ...

 * optimize your entire distribution for your CPU
 * optimize everything using a special compiler (like pgcc)
 * use any compiler options you want without modifing any package

[ Extending and/or adopting it ]

[ Testing of new software ]

A ROCK Linux rebuild can be used to test ...

 * a new kernel
 * a new C-Library or other libraries
 * a new compiler or binutils

[ Porting to new architectures ]

The automated rebuild system helps a lot with porting Linux to new
architectures.



ROCK Linux has allready been ported to

 * Intel ia32 CPUs and compatibles
 * Digital (Compaq) Alpha AXP CPUs
 * PowerPC (Macintosh and RS/6000)

We are working on ports to

 * SUN Sparc CPUs
 * Silicon Graphics MIPS CPUs
