The start of the month has seen the latest release, 7.2, of Linux From Scratch (LFS). The new edition of the guide that shows users how to create their own Linux system from the source code is now based on a toolchain that uses glibc (GNU C Library) 2.16.0 and GCC (GNU compiler collection) 4.7.1. There are, in all, 26 other components that have had their instructions in the DIY Linux guide updated, including Linux 3.5.2, Kmod 9, Perl 5.16.1 and, Udev 188 (extracted from systemd).

The Linux From Scratch instructions are available to be read online or downloaded for offline reading in various formats including a PDF document . LFS describes all the steps necessary to set up a minimal system with a Linux kernel; its authors suggest that the process of creating such a system is a good way of learning "what makes Linux tick", offers a good system for auditing the security of a Linux system, and can provide the basis for a personal customised distribution.

(djwm)